Disappointing Selections

Indian selectors picked up the teams for the ODI series in Bangladesh as well as the 5 Test series in England. The team that has been picked for Bangladesh has several new faces and that is a good thing. It lacks experience but if the players play to their true potential, they should be able to overcome the challenge of a full-strength Bangladesh side. Uthappa makes a comback, after a splendid run in the IPL. Tiwary is back. Kedar Jadhav, a heavy scorer in the domestic circuit has been given a nod and that is a positive sign. 

There are indeed a few names that probably do not make that much sense and probably there were better alternatives available. However, at the end of the day, it is a series against Bangladesh. Who gives a damn!!!

The England-bound team, on the other hand, is extremely important. Firstly, it is a five match test series,  which is a rare event in case of India. There are three reasons that I can think of - (a) England has started to take Indian team seriously (b) ECB is interested in the monetary benefits. After all, matches with India means higher number of eyes watching the matches and (c) England wants to improve their test ranking. They beat us all ends up the last time. Whatever may be the reasons (or combination of reasons), it is a significant tour.

Selectors have done the right thing by selecting Gambhir for the tour, as the reserve opener. He may play a bigger role than a 'reserve' opener as Dhawan's technique would be tested in the swinging conditions that England presents.

The other thing that the selectors have done is that they have picked a 18 man (!!!) squad. Probably, the potential injuries to the players after the gruelling IPL tournament was the reason behind the thought process. The last time around, the injury list was pretty big.

Selectors have loaded the team with pace options. The usual suspects are there. Bhuvaneswar Kumar and Mohamad Shami have obviously been included. Ishant Sharma has been picked as well and it is a shame that we cannot see beyond him. For how long would the selectors go merely by potential? Performances need to be considered as well. Ishwar Pandey has been selected and he seems like an interesting and exciting prospect. Varun Aaron, for his extra pace, is an interesting selection. 

However, the last pace option is baffling. Why Pankaj Singh? Or probably, a better question is, who is Pankaj Singh? He may have had a good domestic season but is clearly not the kind of bowler who is likely to trouble English batsmen. Better options are available. Considering the swinging conditions, selectors could have gone with Dhawal Kulkarni, though he had a pretty average run in the IPL. However, performances in IPL (good or bad) should not be the yardstick for selection of a test side. Umesh Yadav is also a better choice than Pankaj Singh. Since  Praveen Kumar is now fit (and has served his informal ban on disciplinary grounds), he should have been considered. Afterall, he was by far our best bowler in the last tour to England.

The most 'surprising' selection is of course Stuart Binny. He has not even played a test match in India. In the limited chances that he has got in the ODI side, he has not done anything exceptional. His performance in the last domestic season was indeed good but there were better performances. Manish Pandey did well. If they were looking for an allrounder then Irrfan Pathan would have been a much better option. Another option was Abhishek Nayar. He had a decent run in the domestic season with the bat as well as ball. Moreover, he looks a better option for test cricket that Stuart Binny. Binny's military medium pace is not likely to be a very useful option in England. I guess his father's friendship the chairman of selection committee has played a role here.

Now when the teams have been selected, I hope everyone comes up with a great performance. This time around, we must give a better performance than the last tour to England (4-0 drubbing). 

Shahid

Started the day with an extremely well-made and thought-provoking movie. SHAHID is based on the story of lawyer Shahid Azmi, who was killed at the age of 32. He was known to fight for people wrongly accused in cases of terrorism. Brilliant performances by the entire cast. A must watch!!!

The Real Veeru Paaji Finally Stood Up!!

I am glad that KXIP have got the momentum back. In the past few games, they did not look like the invincible side that they were in at least the first half of the tournament.  And super happy that Veeru Paaji came to the party like only he can. When he hits something (read Dhoni/CSK)....it stays hit!!!!

100% FDI in Defence

As per an article in Times of India, the Narendra Modi government is planning to allow up to 100% foreign investment in defence production, in a bid to send a strong signal to global investors as well as to try and move the production base of some equipment into the country. 

This must be allowed. India needs to improve its defence infrastructure and bring efficiency in current defence production. The return on per dollar spent would increase. In the long run, the defence expenditure can be reduced without compromising on quantity and quality.

Also Read: Indian Defense Sector: 10,000 Feet View.html

Action Grids

Ananya's 1st Sports Day

Fun with Coins

Singapore Trip

Pool Time

Trip to Cambodia

Bus ride to Singapore

Bus ride to Singapore

Stop Child Abuse

Here is a list of things you need to teach your Child(ren) at early age:

1: Warn your Girl Child Never to sit on anyone's laps no matter the situation including uncles.

2: Avoid Getting Dressed in front of your child once he/she is 2 years old. Learn to excuse them or yourself.

3. Never allow any adult refer to your child as 'my wife' or 'my husband'

4. Whenever your child goes out to play with friends make sure you look for a way to find out what kind of play they do, because young people now sexually abuse themselves.

5. Never force your child to visit any adult he or she is not comfortable with and also be observant if your child becomes too fond of a particular adult.

6. Once a very lively child suddenly becomes withdrawn you may need to patiently ask lots of questions from your child. 

7. Carefully educate your grown ups about the right values of sex . If you don't, the society will teach them the wrong values.

8: It is always advisable you go through any new Material like cartoons you just bought for them before they start seeing it themselves.

9. Ensure you activate parental controls on your cable networks and advice your friends especially those your child(ren) visit(s) often.

10. Teach your 3 year olds how to wash their private parts properly and warn them never to allow anyone touch those areas and that

includes you (remember, charity begins from home and with you).

11: Blacklist some materials/associates you think could threaten the sanity of your child (this includes music, movies and even friends and families).

12. Let your child(ren) understand the value of standing out of the

crowd.

13: Once your child complains about a particular person, don't keep quiet about it.

Article 370 should go

“You want India to defend Kashmir, feed its people, undertake its all-round development and give Kashmiris equal rights all over the country. But you do not want the rest of India and Indians (to have) equal rights in Kashmir. I am (the) Law Minister of India, I cannot betray my country.”

- BR Ambedkar on Article 370

Disgusting

"Upper castes rule Cabinet, backwards MoS" - Shame on you Times of India

Its neither sensational nor journalism. It is just DISGUSTING

 #PradhanMantriNarendraBhaiModi

Kejri has filed his nominations for...Bigg Boss!!!

What a success rate

Kudos to AAP for winning 2-4 seats out of the total 5 seats it contested from....no wait!!!....KYA, sahi mein!!! 434 candidates khade kiye thhe!!!???...hmmm...ab kya bolein phir?....Tab to phir doob maro saalo

Khaye ke jhaapad banaras waala...

khul gaya Kejri ki bandh akal ka taala!!!

Is it true that Varanasi results are out? and Modi has won? Oh no...that means 'Yugpurush' ji haar gaye?? Pssch!!!

Legs-Ki Waat!!

They should consider giving an alternate name to Angkor Wat. It should be called 'Legs-Ki Waat'!!! And Jackie Shroff should sell 'Sandhi-Sudha' oil outside this place. Came here to strike off am item from the bucket list but nearly kicked the bucket!!! Hmmmph — feeling tired at Siemreap.

Hehehe

Bencho....

Usually don't do it on weekdays but then...there are days that cannot end without the help of Old Monk. #BuddhaBhikshuk #GumKaSaathiRum

Trip to Farm in the City

My Desk....Always Messy

Point to Ponder

People call Modi a murderer.

My two cents here....

(a) Courts and Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) have already given clean chit to Modi

(b) If someone is planning to vote for Congress then the question is what about Sikh riots, Assam riots etc. How come Modi is a murderer in your opinion but Congress is better

(c) If someone is planning to vote for AAP then one must know that AAP supports naxal/maoist leaders who have killed so many people including CRPF jawans in last many years. Moreover, they are pro separatists groups in Kashmir. They are certainly supporting murderers or taking support from murderers. How are they any better?

(d) If you are not voting for any of these three, who are you voting for?

(e) Personally, I would rather go with murderers than anti-nationals

3D

Between three 'Ds' - Development (BJP), Dramebaazi (AAP) and Dacoity (CONgress) - I pick development. What about you?

Some random guy has been going around saying that "main iss desh ke sabse shaktishaali, sabse ameer aur sabse bhrasht logon se ladne ke liye bhi tayyar hun". Considering the popularity, image and brand, 'Shaktishaali' to maan liya. But how many of you, who support this chap, truly believe that Modi is 'sabse ameer' and 'sabse bhrasht'? If you do not think so then why do you believe in this guy who is saying all this... but is not fighting against Sonia or Rahul? I am not worried as I do not have any doubt that Modi will thrash him all ends up. But...what is your reason to still believe in this guy? Beats me!!!

Impressive!!!

In the late 1990s, an employee of Adani Exports took a wrong call in sugar trading, resulting in a Rs 20-crore loss. Fearing he would be sacked, he apologized for the grave mistake and handed in his resignation letter. Gautam Adani, in his thirties then (now 51), tore up the resignation and told him with a smile: "I know you will not make a similar mistake in future because of this lesson. Why should your next employer benefit from this learning when I have paid the price for it?"

Weekend with 3 Friends

3.2 cops and 5 NGOs for every 3000 Indians!!!.......Hmmmm — feeling surprised.

Whats in my plate?

Have you ever had a meal involving 8-10 dishes where you do not know and cannot make out the ingredients of even one dish? And all of them were non-veg dishes. Donno how many different types of creatures I just had.... thanks to the client team — feeling sick in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.

Brrrrr!!!!

Less than 10 degrees in Hong Kong and this is supposed to be spring — feeling cold at Victoria Park, Hong Kong.

Ananya Goes Traditional

'These days'.....

• When I am in office, I feel like a - Sweeper - As I am invariably cleaning the mess created by others!!
• When I reach home, I feel like a - Truck Driver - As I need couple of drinks to be able to get sleep after a hard day!!!
• When I wake up in the morning, I feel like a - Prostitute - As I get ready to get screwed...again!!!

Juggling too many balls

Last few days have been crazy and.....mighty frustrating. Getting pulled into 5-6 different directions at a time and am unable to focus decently on any task-on-hand. This is not how I work and this is not what the tasks deserve. Am trying my best to set and manage expectations but......this is not that kind of place. People pay attention only when shit gets into the fan. 

It is frustrating also because of the management gyaan I have to bear with. No concrete and actionable solutions. Just 'do it' type of suggestions in motivational and crappy packaging. 

The other day one of the leaders (by designation and clearly not by actions) gave me a speech regarding how I should start thinking beyond research. Nothing wrong with that suggestion but it is just that it was uncalled for. I was taking a client through the research methodology mentioned in a proposal, which this same leader had written. He had proposed that we will do X number of interviews and will do secondary research etc. I was assigned the task to take the client through the proposal. I did not propose 'research' and he did. Yet, he had a problem with that. And he was talking about consulting when he has not worked in any consulting organization or on any strategy consulting project. He has spent his life organizing boxes in warehouses, smoking cigars paid by company corporate card and making the life of his team miserable. I am not in his team....I would have stabbed him by now.

And I am frustrated as I am unlearning (rather, compelled to unlearn) the good things that I have learned in my career so far. Juggling too many balls and few may drop. I will apply the most popular term in consulting and research and do the work on 'best-effort basis'.

Feeling tired, stressed and frustrated :(

FB Look Back Movie Sucks

I love being behind the camera. I love clicking pictures of people around me. I have more than thousand pics in my FB album but I am not there in most of them...and I am okay with that. 

Till....I saw my FB Look Back movie!!! It did bring back memories of some happy moments but it is not MY movie!!! In it, I am like the father who dies in the first few minutes of a Hindi movie %$#@

It happens only in India

Abu Salem married a girl on a train from Mumbai to Lucknow!!!! Policemen did not object. May be the honeymoon has been planned for the return journey. #KyaNaatakHai

Today's Learning: How Not to Manage a Crisis

If, by any chance, you want to learn how to create a crisis during a crisis management exercise, come to me. I will share my day with you. And I did not create that situation. If you know me well enough, you probably already guessed that.

To all those people, I just want to say that probably these are the reasons why even your most trusted generals have been making fun of you since Day 1.

Trip to A'Famosa Animal Safari (Melaka)

"However, XYZ said he/she has no proof to back his/her allegations"

Most news articles about AAP 'exposing' someone have this statement in common!!! :P

Chaar din ki zindagi thhi.....ab kal se office  feeling depressed

आखिर सोचने वाली बात है...

क्या अरविन्द केजरीवाल कुछ मीडिया वालों के साथ मिल कर अरुण जेटली को बदनाम करने कि कोशिश कर रहे हैं? क्या अरविन्द केजरीवाल मन-गढ़ंत कहानियां बना कर बिजली की कटौती और दरों में बढ़ौती की समस्यायों से लोगों का ध्यान हटाने की कोशिश कर रहे हैं?