Unnecessary trouble: Mohammed Cartoon

In an already divided world why would someone unnecessarily create further tensions by publishing cartoons of Prophet Mohammed. Firstly, why would you exercise your freedom of expression when you know fully well that it could deeply offend others? Secondly, why now at the peak of tensions with the Muslim countries? All the concerned Govts must come together and put out this fire before it gets out of control.

While one can sympathize with free speech champions and endlessly debate this issue, I think it is important that free speech proponents give up this fight in the larger interest of the world. Not everyone in the world is educated enough to understand and appreciate the free speech views which are accepted and practiced in the western world. The supposed desire to spread freedom and democracy across the globe has already caused the Western World enough trouble. The world could do without the spread of one more western principle, at least for now.

Interestingly enough these cartoons were published four months back. The public outcry was the result re-publication of these cartoons!

It is heartening to see some Muslim organizations like the Free Muslim Coalition condemning the reaction in the Muslim world to these cartoons.

Ganguly and Retirement

Ganguly has no plans to retire apparently. Sure, he can continue but please stick o Ranji trophy and other domestic tournaments.

He actually batted quite well against Pak but he is expected to do much more and help the side. He claims to have done his part because he was involved in 100 run partnerships. Thank you very much. This simply ain’t enough, Dada.

Day 4: Pak crush India

India suffered a huniliating defeat at the hands of their arch rivals Pak. Hats off to Pak for a spirited performance. Woolmer deserves a lot of credit for forging a winning combination.

It was a classic test of resilience and character for the star studded Indian batting side, and sadly, they failed miserably. As an ardent ricket fan more than a few thoughts come to mind (not to mention the frustration!)

  • First and fore most comes a look at India’s so-called batting strength. Too much revolves around Viru and Dravid. If both these guys fail chances of India putting up a decent show are very suspect.
  • Maybe its time to clean up the middle order. This will involve some tough calls. Ganguly has probably played his last Test and needs a break. With a fighting century, Yuvraj has earned his middle order spot. VVS has been repeatedly getting bowled or lbw to the same incoming delivery that its proabably time for the selectors to seriously evaluate his spot in the team. There is no shortage of bench strength — S. Sriram, Venugopal Rao, Hemang Badani come to mind and there are many more out there.
  • Sachin needs to make up his mind about preserving himself to survive longer. He has to pick between ODIs and Test. Getting clean bowled twice in a Test match when he seemed well set is a sure sign of decline for the master batsman. I hope he bows out gracefully rather be forced out like Ganguly. He definitely has plenty of cricket left in him but he can’t score 60 runs in three innings and expect to have a permanent place in the team.
  • Players in form must be given a chance when they are in peak form. India lost a good opportunity to try out Wasim Jaffer.
  • Chappell certainly has a point about Shoaib Akhtar chucking. Check out this video and decide for yourself. The short ball he bowled to get Sachin out in the last World Cup certainly looked suspect and this one her just confirms his tendency to chuck intermittently, especially when he ends in his bouncers.
  • India’s bowling is very weak and unreliable. India is in desperate need of a tearaway fast bowler. Its time to bring in some new comers to the Test side and give Agarkar (in particular) and Zaheer Khan a break. VRV Singh, Munaf Patel, Sreesanth etc. might be worth trying out.

Day 4: Pak vs India

India is very very likely to lose the Test. India should at least put up a fight before losing. It would be sad to see the match end in 4 days! Full marks to Pak for a fine batting display and some spirited bowling in the first innings.

Innovative Movie Release

The movie Bubble is being released on the HD Network the same day as the movie is released in the theatres. The DVD is being released 4 days later. Its quite a new way of aproaching film distrbution. I am sure its been done before, but with the growth of the Internet this approach is pretty significant.

The producers are obviously experimenting. It is a low budget film made at a cost of $1.6M. I had written earlier about a movie being sold directly on Google. I think the entertainment industry is going to see some dramatic changes especially with the likes of Jobs at Disney.

Day 2: Pak have the Upper Hand

India seems to have slowly lost the advantage after Irfan’s fine opening day hat-trick. As always India let Pak tail enders make big scores and frittered away a solid start. To make matters worse the batting failed miserably leaving the tailenders with the responsibility of reducing the leading. Dada blew a golden chance to respond to his critics. Maybe he’ll grab a bunch of wickets and become a hero overnight 🙂

At this stage, Pak definitely have the upper hand. A target of over 300 will be hard to chase in the last innings. As things stand now a Pak victory appears to be likely. At least this Test appears headed for a result. That’s a relief in itself.

Team India for the ODIs against Pak

Ganguly was not included in the team. Fine. I think it was a good decision.

But why two spinners Karthik and Bhajji after the thulping Indian spinners have been subjected to on those dead Pak pitches? India is never going to play two spinners and either one who plays is bound to be thrashed by Afridi and co. It would have made sense to play a spinner all rounder like Romesh Powar (who has had a very good domestic season) who can provide the slog needed in the last few overs. I think they should have picked Murali and Romesh Powar and given Bhajji a break. Otherwise I think India has picked a good team. It would have been nice to see VRV Singh (India’s fastest rightnow apparently) in the team, but I believe that he is injured.