Federer's French Revolution

What could have been a better way to end the weekend than watching Roger Federer win the record-equalling 14th Grand Slam and that too with a tournament that had evaded him throughout his career?

Though Roger was never near his best tennis in the final, it was enough to maul Soderling. The world number 23 played good tennis in the 2nd set (and also throughout the tournament) and took it to the tie-breaker, but that was not enough to stop the indomitable Swiss.

Fedex must thank Soderling for making his task easier as it was a final in Roland Garros sans Rafa. Nevertheless, he is one of the greatest (if not the greatest) and will remain so.

Image © FFT

World Environment Day

An educative read on the World Environment Day.

Jai Ho....

'Ane De' (Let them come) was the call from all over the country since the last few weeks. And finally, the d-day has arrived. The MSD brigade is all set to defend their world champion title in the shorter version of the game. With an explosive set of cricketers, ameliorated with the IPL experience, India seems to be the top contender for the cup. The only worrisome factor was the opening combination. How the injury prone Viru and struggling Gauti wouldfare was the concern for every cricket-loving Indian. However, Rohit Sharma's escapades in the practice matches and a decent performance from Gambhir must act as respites for frowning Dhoni.

Best of luck to the experient young brigade.

New Zealand and South Africa are my other favourites for the tournament.

What is your call?

What It Takes To Be A Madam Speaker?

The Congress led UPA has done it again!

After India's first female President, it gifted the world's largest democracy with its first female Lok Sabha speaker and that too with a 'Dalit' tag attached to it. It's no surprise that Congress's bid to create history has drawn flak from different corners of the society. Many are labelling this as a ploy to counter Mayawati. Though for obvious reasons the Congress think tank is not ready to buy the argument and is all set to defend their decision, the appointment is bound to raise a few questions.

Firstly, the word 'Dalit' is often referred in India to denote an oppressed class of the society. Even if Congress's contention of Dalit empowerment is accepted, why not appointing somebody who is not from the upper echelon of the society? Ms. Meira Kumar's background (The daughter of the late Babu Jagjivan Ram decided to enter politics in the 1980s after a successful stint with the Indian Foreign Service and has been elected to the Lok Sabha five times since then) comes nowhere near a really oppressed Dalit.

Secondly, Ms. Kumar appears to be a naive, soft-spoken lady. I am not averse to appointing women to the top constitutional posts if it is based purely on meritocracy. My only fear is given the abusive nature of the representatives of the Indian parliament, will she be a proper replacement for Mr. Somnath 'Headmaster' Chatterjee?

Only time will tell.

Meanwhile, an informative read on the former speakers of Indian parliament.

Love in the Time of Global Worming

It seems that the e-entrepreneurs are never short of ideas, even if the business foundation is based on the trite concepts like social networking and online dating. The latest in the line is EcoDater.

It is an online community targeted at green singles. To be more precise, it is an eco-friendly online dating community. Members include environmentalists, vegans and vegetarians, organic farmers, outdoor enthusiasts, yoga practitioners, activists and much more.

So, if you consider yourself an environment enthusiast and are still single, don't waste your time.

The Smoky Image

31st May was the World No Tobacco Day. Today onwards, cigarette packets are supposed to feature pictorial health warnings. But is that going to dissuade the smokers in any way? Even from smoking in public places?

With much fanfare, a ban was enforced on public smoking in the country in October 2008. Even after that, smokers allover India, have made a mockery of the rule. Though smoking in public vehicles and to some extent in public placeshave reduced considerably, the initiative is yet to get whole-hearted support from the smoke-lovers.What is intimidating is that even the civilised society does not understand the implication of a court ban! In mostof the IT parks in the Salt Lake City, Kolkata, you will find people (most of whom are considered to be the creme de la creme of the society) smoking inside the building premises, which strictly are 'No-smoking' zones. If a court verdict cannoteducate us, what is the guarantee of success of another such initiative? Nevertheless, we should keep on trying.

And here is an advice for our Health Minister Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad from Prahlad Kakkar. The veteran adman in his impeccable style proposes the inclusion of Salman Khan pictures on the cigarette packets. Given the long list of karnamas of the bad boy of the tinselville (he got drunk, killed people on the road, got into umpteen fisticuffs and people still kiss his ass, every time he passes by.), Salman is all what smoking is about, proposes Kakkar.

Sounds good. What you say?

ABCD Online

News for the Feluda-buffs!

A group of die-hard Feluda fans are working on a virtual museum dedicated to the sleuth. Inspired by the Sherlock Holmes museum at 221B Baker Street, London, an eclectic group of Feluda fanatics around the world have come together to form this online repository that contains various Feluda memorabilia including an expensive violin Amatir Bhepu owned by Indranarayan in Bosepukurey Khunkharapi, the journal on parapsychology that Feluda read en route to Jodhpur in Sonar Kella, a clavichord in Samaddarer Chabi, Thomas Godwin's ivory casket in Gorasthane Sabdhan and many more.

Interested to join the bandwagon? You can contribute too!

The first-cut version is available at:

http://felumuseum.tripod.com/