North India vs South India

http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/nov/13rajeev.htm

I was reading this article the other day and the article, more so the reaction of the people who posted the comments on this article created a sort of unease in me and i decided to pen my views on this entire North-South divide. The article above clearly glorifies South india and South Indians, which although i dont completely agree with, but do not mind. I think sub-nationalism has its virtues and people should be proud of where they come from.

However, I think the article polarises people's views. I found people really angry with the guy who wrote it or using his article to bash North Indians. the real question is why?. If you notice , North Indians who have travelled or studied in the South (like me) or vice versa have a very different world view to people who haven't travelled in and around the country.I have made some wonderful friends from the South, and why South, from East , west , North every part of India , and the more people I meet from various parts of India I realise that we are all the same. In particular, my generation (the famous Gen X), does not differentiate on as shite a basis as the region one is coming from. I am an unabashed supporter of globalisation, and this is why I completely support it because it is leading towards a new sort of national integration where Kannadigas work in Gurgaon, and Biharis in Bangalore and Chennai.

I think this is real national integration and I hope it continues.I come from Delhi and studied in Bangalore and there is a definite stereotype that one associates with North Indians and South Indians. Southies consider Northies to be "corrupting their culture", whereas northies have a condescending attitude towards the Southies. But once they come to know each other all this peels off , and they can see beyond each others last names.

Some time back one of my profs said that the erstwhile USSR had a yearly program in schools whereby school children from one part of the country were taken to the other side so that they accept and appreciate the diversity of their country. Maybe, we should start looking at the same because our diversity is absolutely the pillar of our country.I am working in the UK now, and people are expecting India to be on the cusp of something great. Lets channelize our energies positively towards that rather than bicker which Zone or state is better and end up causing real harm to our country.

Jai Hind!

Photo Credit: devadutta.blogspot.com

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Sourav - the champion

Ever since David vs Goliath happened , human beings have supported the underdog. There is nothing more exciting than someone beating the odds and a better opposition. Sourav Ganguly was an underdog since he returned to international cricket in late 2006. I was secretly rooting for him to do well coz well i love supporting underdogs. Anyway, the real issue is the way he has comeback into the team and carved a niche for himself, again. It might not seem a big deal now but race back to 2005 and Dada was nowhere in the reckoning. A series of lucky breaks (Raina's dip in form) helped Ganguly to return and oh my! has he taken it with both hands. But there is a difference to Ganguly this time. His attitude has changed , for the better.

In todays match he came out to play again after bowling overs and getting cramps. This si something one never expected from Ganguly.You gotta give credit to him. He is showing how much he wants to play for India. In fact, I think that his determination is so fierce that there would be no place for Rainas and Kaifs till Dada is in the team.You can see it in his eyes, a steely determination of jus keep doing well. On his return to the Indian team, Harsha Bhogle was interviewing him and you could tell by the way he talked to them that Sourav is where he belongs.

Tendulkar has a special place in Indian cricket because he is simply a genius. Dravid is so bloody focussed and disciplined but Ganguly's place will always be remembered for his mental toughness and a never say die attitude. Tell me one cricketer who has faced so much flak and criticism, but come back so brilliantly. How many of us gave him a chance of scoring a century at Lord's?or scoring a century at Brisbane? or for taking India to the world cup final ? none. But he surpassed all expectations through sheer mental strength and self belief. Thats why Sourav Ganguly is a champion in my book. Inspite of his shoddy fielding, and difficulty in playing quick bowling, he is out on the crease fighting and fighting and then fighting some more. Vince Lombardi , an oft quoted legendary American football coach, defines a champions attitude as

“I have been wounded but not yet slain. I shall lie here and bleed awile. Then I shall rise and fight again. The title of champion may from time to time fall to others more than ourselves. But the heart, the spirit, and the soul of champions remains.”

Dada carry on, you are special, a true champion.