A Nation in denial

Denial is spawned by an ignorance of reality and the instinct to hold on. It is like seeing everything from a moving bus but coming out of denial would require one to jump off the bus when in motion. As a nation we pretty much are on an indefinite bus journey seeing things what we want to see and not daring to take the plunge when needed. We learn of our "haq" and are told "ho raha hai Bharat Nirmaan". In a Nation where absolute poverty level currently is estimated to be higher than what our population was in 1947, "ho raha hai Bharat Nirmaan" is five decades too late. Rising social inequality is obscured by a few success stories.

Like telecommunications. The projected tele-density for 2012 was 84%. The pace of mobile telephony expansion in India has been truly phenomenal. Driven largely by private enterprise, the communications landscape in the country has changed dramatically in the last ten years. But it has been more than a 100 years since India first had access to electricity. At 70% access to electricity (intermittent), energy for India and many Indians is still a dream. Electricity, sanitation, water and basic healthcare hardly dominate any public discussion like telecom / IT. The marginalization of some has created a monster which is today India's biggest internal threat.

Naxalism. Or Maoism. At least the Government is not in denial about their threat. The Prime Minister has acknowledged growing naxalism as India's single biggest internal security threat. But it has come a decade too late. A period during which the movement has entrenched deep, and grown in both power and stature. A movement which threatens the Nation with confidence and puts down it's own demands with impudence. The latest naxal attack on a senior functionary of a national party did not create as much outrage as the nation's richest sporting body's corporate shenanigans. 

Cricket is the common denominator in India. It is a balm in the guise of fevicol for a multitude of people across the Nation. And the BCCI has always acted in the best interest of - it's balance sheet. It is a stage on which the country's top two parties share the dais. An organization whose corporate governance has bordered on fraud, is so unmindful of the average expectation of the fan. Indians are tolerant on issues of governance, corruption and fraud. And intolerant in cases of religion, caste, race and gender equality. 

How conveniently ignorant. Or you can say outrageously insensitive. Bad roads, non-existent sanitation and drainage, regular load shedding, etc are trivial subjects which reflects in the way public infrastructure is handled in India. On the other hand religious prejudices, differences in caste and stature, and general attitude towards women are generally subjects bordering on intolerance. No wonder India is one of the least ranking countries' when it comes to racial tolerance. 

All that glitters is not gold. Not all that is spoken is true. The bus hurtles on and therein lies the choice. To jump or to sit.

Attack is the best form of defence

The setting is gloomy or so I hear. Dark clouds and dark smoke. England looks to avoid rioting while India looks to avoid being routed - 4-0 that is. Amid gloominess what you seek is the warmth of green. And Edgbaston seems to have obliged with the tinge of green extending to the square. Though not much is expected to remain tomorrow, intentions are clear. Finish India before they can rise. Topple India before they get a foothold. Opportunity to drive home the advantage.

But is not there something called equal opportunity? It certainly is not a bowling pitch when India bats and batting pitch when India bowls (That certainly seemed the case in Trent Bridge). India seemed neither confident nor spirited. However large hearted, you can't force yourself to be so all the time. India need to pursue desperation with confidence. A desperation to score runs and confidence to take twenty tickets.

It is an opportune moment to take advantage of England's hospitality. Green is the pitch and dark are the clouds but it is not you who is always batting. Attack is the best form of defence. India should use the opportunity to play five bowlers. Two right arm fast medium, one left arm fast medium, one right arm medium and one right arm leg spin - a recipe to let know intentions - ATTACK.

India have never won in Edgbaston. Neither had they in Perth before 2008 or in Durban before 2010. And Edgbaston does not revive nightmares such as those associated with Perth and Durban before 2008 and '10 respectively. Adversity is a bitter pill, but when befriended it is a catalyst for success.

Here we go again!!

This is my third attempt at blogging. Considering the previous two did not go beyond three posts, I would consider those failed attempts. Just hoping the law of averages works in my favour this time round. Success just means to continue posting day in and day out.

The reasons for not continuing blogging earlier, includes, but is not restricted to my attempts to focus on either cricket or travel. Considering that risk can be mitigated if diversified, I will attempt to explore many avenues including cricket, travel and even academics.

I have wandered and I have been lost. And I have wandered till I reached The West Coast Road in India. This blog is like that road. It has everything (except this self coined name). Winding roads, mountains, beaches, heavy rains, big cities, nightlife, quaint villages, delicious food and the list goes on ;). This blog is just a leaf of any of the innumerable trees on that beautiful road.

Enough for starters. Expect the next post soon (I hope so.)