World Cup 2014 – A Preview

June has arrived and has brought huge cheer to the faces of football fans. There was a dip in the mood of the footie enthusiasts due to completion of league football matches. But before the wait could get any longer came the biggest sports extravaganza in the World. With Brazil at the core for all the activities, people are ready for a month of non-stop football action.

Here is a football fan’s guide for the 2014 World Cup held in Brazil.

Out of the 32 participating teams, some teams like Bosnia & Herzgovinia are makng their debut while teams like Algeria & Honduras are just happy to play along with the big boys. Some countries naturally start as the favorites and will show their footballing prowess in this spectacle.

Brazil: The five time winners and the World cup hosts are the favorites to win the title. ‘Selecao’ as they are fondly called boasts a number of stars like Neymar, Hulk, Thiago Silva who can propel their charge towards the title and will have the fans playing as 12^th man on the field. Will the overall pressure get to them is what we have to wait and see?

Spain: ‘La Furia Roja’ or The Red Fury as they are called, are the defending champions and enter the competition as one of the favorites. They possess a complete squad with all their players – the likes of Diego Costa, Iniesta and Sergio Ramos - in top form. Lets see if their unique playing style of tiki-taka will blow the opposition or not?

The Netherlands: The ‘Oranje’ have been perennial under achievers at the world stage but will be boosted by their performance at the World stage in 2010 where they reached the finals. A similar feat is expected from them and with players like Robin van Persie & Arjen Robben gunning for success its quite in reach.

Germany: The three time champions will look to put out another title winning squad with players hungry for success. The team which believes in total football built around pace and technique revolves around crucial players like Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller, Bastian Schweinsteiger and captain Philip Lahm. Theres no holding back ‘Die Mannschaft’ this World cup!!

Argentina: Having the World cup being played in their continent, ‘La Albiceleste’ will have a distinct crowd support. With top strikers like Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain all ready to score in goals, the team looks destined to win and repeat the success of 1986.

Then there are the dark horses as well. Portugal with the mercurial Cristiano Ronaldo and a host of other stars can be one of the teams to look out for. Belgium who are making an appearance in the World cup after 2002 and with its array of superstars like Eden Hazard & Vincent Kompany can very well surprise all. Italy has the knack of winning trophies with a steady setup and that man, Andrea Pirlo at the centre of all things.

Top 5 Superstars who can make the World Cup as theirs:

Neymar is the Golden Boy of Brazil and is destined for big things. The World Cup 2014 acts as a perfect stage for him to rise on top of the world and be the best player around.

Lionel Messi has won all accolades – personal and team – but one thing which has eluded him is the World cup. If he wants to match the resume of his idol Diego Maradona, this World cup has to be his for the taking.

Cristiano Ronaldo or CR7 is already the captain of the Portuguese side and has won the FIFA/Ballon d'Or award for the best footballer in the world this year will be looking to put his stamp on this World cup.

Arjen Robben the flying Dutchman is coming off a title winning season at the club level rich with goals and assists and will look to propel his team, the Netherlands, to the title.

Andrea Pirlo the veteran statesman who will be probably playing his last World cup will be looking to end it on a high. Expect some killer long balls and scintillating free kicks from the ‘Bearded one’. 

Different Strokes

As the 78^th Masters is upon us in the first full week of April, all the golfing brains are working in over time to speculate who will take the green jacket this time around.

The current champion Aussie Adam Scott will be challenged by players from all around the world for the $8 million prize. But one golfer who will not be there to claim the much coveted green jacket would be Tiger Woods. Fans from around the world, who travel just to tour the course and follow Tiger, will miss the golfing great due to his back surgery. All the golf fans will have to wait to see Tiger Woods get one more title under his belt, in overcoming his quest of 18 titles set by the great Jack Nicklaus.

The tournament had its fair share of fairy tales with Adam Scott winning the first green jacket for Australia that too in a playoff against Angel Cabrera in pouring rain last year. In 2012, it was Bubba Watson who played the tournament of his life to outwit Louis Oosthuizen and claim the honors. This year should not be any different thereby expecting total drama till the very end.

The journeyman Phil Mickelson has an excellent opportunity to add to his three green jackets. World number 3 Henrik Stenson is struggling with his wrist pain and number 4 Jason Day is fighting his own battle of lack of match practice. It’s an already known fact that Rory Mcilroy is not the same anymore but still very much in contention and top 10 of the world. Some of the other suspects like Dustin Johnson, Luke Donald and Bubba Watson will also look to add to the competition. The current man in form is undoubtedly Jimmy Walker who has won 3 PGA tours in the last six months, an outstanding record by the 35-year old.

The first few days don’t really give the real picture and it is only until the back nine that things start to heat up. Past two years gave us a winner only in the playoffs.

We have to wait and see if this year provides another nail biting finish or one golfer leading the pack from the start till the end. Over to the first week of April !!

In the end, it was the American Bubba Watson who won the tournament claiming the coveted green jacket.

Golfing Terminologies:

Birdie  is not a cute cartoon bird from Warner Brothers cartoon, but one shot under par (Standard number of strokes for each hole) score on a hole.

Bogey is what belongs to a train is its namesake bogie, while this means one shot over par score on a hole.

This Eagle doesn’t soar high up in the sky, this is two sots under par score on a hole.

Albatross is a large sea bird spotted in the Pacific, but in golfing terms is three under par score at a hole. Also called a ‘double eagle’.

Who knew ‘Rough’ is longer and thicker grassed area of the course and ‘Green’ is the area of course around the hole with very short grass.

Bunker is not a scenario of a war zone but a small depression around the green usually filled with sand.

And lastly there is a Caddy, who is more than just a person who carries a player's bag and clubs. Each golfer needs a trusted sidekick afterall.

Poll-i-tickle

Elections in India is an event on its own. Forget a mere event, it is a festival with its own grandeur. There is a deity or atleast a person with a God like status and people at large trying to make the most out of it. For some people its the contentment of taking the right decision while for some it is grabbing the right opportunity with both hands and making a quick buck or two.

In the recent past, India was gripped in election fever as five Indian states embarked on a polling spree. While Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh n Chattisgarh walked hand in hand, a slightly subdued Mizoram followed suit. When the exit polls and further on the results peeped out, India spoke and how. Sweeping victories for BJP and Congress not even in a 'state' to play second fiddle. Highlight though was a BAAP performance by AAP. A not so AAM performance by the Aam Aadmi Party !!

Delhi saw the emergence of a new power - people's power. More than giving people's party a chance the main agenda seemed to be not giving Congress another term. BJP quietly slid in and made the most of this tug of war for power. Even though selecting a chief ministerial candidate was decided at the eleventh hour but BJP look to have the last laugh. On the contrary Dixit madam looked out of sorts and the agenda was made to look as silly as Indian batsmen on South African pitches. Cometh the hour, cometh the man and Kerjiwal proved to be the one wearing the pants in the end. Now the whole of India knows what was he exactly doing during his absence from India against corruption. But frankly speaking, AAP has achieved a whole lot even with minimal resources that they should just savour the moments. Sit in the opposition and challenge the ruling party with the policies. An excellent battle ground for getting your army strengthened for the picture five years hence. Its a simple equation, if with this AAP can achieve this then imagine the scenario post five years. Mr. Kejriwal is here to stay. Till then let Harshavardhan safeguard the seat for you.

Rajasthan saw a different picture altogether. Vasundhara Raje led BJP sweeping all the seats and leaving Congress just a few scraps. Guess the voters didn't get fed enough Dal Baati Churmas, instead they got fed up of these feeders for votes. 

Madhya Pradesh saw the winning ways for Shivraj Chouhan and more importantly technology. For an election campaign studded with social media and rallies embarked upon 3D live technology, its fitting that Mr. Chouhan gives a winning pose a la Steve Jobs. Hindustan ka dil dekho, haath se chutth gaya !!

Chattisgarh was still very close to call but eventually saw new lotus blooming in the assembly lakes. BJP however should look to improve its knowledge about India's geography. They seem to totally forget about Mizoram or maybe thought that Congress should get something. How gracious of them !!

But the spotlight was Delhi and now with not a single party getting majority scenario looks even more awkward. Congress with as low as 8 seats could sit as ruling party if they play their cards right. BJP inspite of the good work could sit in opposition, maybe its just their trait. And AAP can embrace other partners just to make a government, the same people whom their pre election propaganda was based on. 

In the end we would just say, let's say yes to NOTA and get the Presidents rule !!

Its Showtime Folks !!!

The Indian Film industry is one of the biggest and widest of its kind not even in terms of substance but also with the revenues raked in. Whatever be the plot and whomsoever be the characters, people throng the screens in order to get their weekly dose of entertainment. India wont be India if the ticket windows don't have those Friday rushes and those mad hat movie spoiler alerts over the weekend parties. That's the flavor of Bollywood !!

Year after year new plots comes and go but one thing hasn't seized to exist. No, I am not speaking about our beloved Prime Minister's silence. Its the way how audience flip over. People appreciate the new plots with the same gusto as the old chewed maneuvers time and again. So when Momento inspired Ghajini knocked on the door what enthralled the audience was how beefed up Aamir Khan was and not the fact that 'Have I seen this before?'. Who gives much thought if the song is an Indonesian hit, we just like that it sounds much better when Pritam gets inspired and recreates music.

But the fact that the Bollywood hits pile on 100 freaking crores and off late even enter the glorious 200 crore clubs is not mere star power and good luck. There are some hidden messages worth gold dust in them. Lets have a look at some of them.

3 Idiots depicted students that being stereotypes will not fetch them good jobs especially when you are mediocre and that how three lanky people can ride on the smallest of the mopeds. Dont even get me started on Phunsuk Wangdoo. It sounds like thukpa stall name gone wrong.

Salman Khan is undoubtedly the king of these blockbusters with five 100 crore plus movies. This is largely thanks to the dedicated clan called as Bhai ke fans. They are the single biggest reason for the success of Salman Khans box office hits. Other actors are in search of such a dedicated fan base.

The hit formula is being Dabangg and doing it all over again and just being Dabangg again. Confused ?? But yeah if the sequel rakes in more than the original there are plenty of numbers in the number system. No worries .. just carry on.

Then there is Bodyguard. It showed us that a man with canon like biceps and beefed up chest can carry a name like Lovely and that its cool to love your bodyguard. If Dignity of Labour is all cool nowadays, make way for Dignity of Love !!

Ek Tha Tiger showed us that if the intelligence agent of enemy country is stunningly beautiful then dont give a tiny rats ass to your respective agencies. Just elope with her and start a family in an exotic location say Hawaii or Cuba.

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag emphasized on the fact that a biopic where the actor looked more realistic than the idol and moreover which doesnt give the facts in its totality still makes millions. Afterall its just a 'run' into stardom.

Yeh Jawaani Hain Deewani was an experience in its own. It helped late students and early earners relive their camping trips and made others like your truly feel guilty of not going on them when the time was right. Who knew Deepika Padukone esque girls even went to camping trips !!

Chennai Express taught us not to repeat cult scenes in 90s movies in this era. Giving a hand to a pretty girl to get her on the train is fine but lending a hand to four big ass ugly bodyguards of her is utter folly. Important teaching is that actors playing their age is in vogue.

Then there is Grand Masti. When you hold on to all those jokes of your graduation days and add a butt load of vulgarity to it then 3 weeks of success and 90 odd crores is what comes in. Severe procurement of sausages and bananas by the production house tells you the whole story, doesnt it ??

So now just become Besharam in your plot and create Dhoom on the Box office. Moolah will follow.

Split Wide Open ..

After years of protests and determination shown by the people, finally the far fetched dream seems to come to a reality. Indian National Congress declared that a separate state of Telangana will come into existence within 5 or 6 months from now. The proposed new state corresponds to the Telugu-speaking portions of the erstwhile princely state of Hyderabad.

The decision looked so causal as if it was decided by a coin toss. Thank goodness it came as Tails and not heads otherwise Headangana would have been weird. Thus Telangana was born. Telangana primarily consists of the districts north of the original Andhra Pradesh and dwells the capital Hyderabad. People have shown all sorts of agitations: Against formation of Telangana, against division of Andhra Pradesh, against loss of assets and even against the degrading quality of biryani in the top restaurants in Banjara Hills area. Top leaders have already showed their opposition with withdrawals from running the state government and even from Rajya Sabha. The main point of backing their opposition is that the new state will not be developed and will take a lot of time to be right up there. Numerous other points follow. But there are other things at stake as well.

Losing out on the typical Hyderabadi biryani is too much. I for one will go on strike too if I am deprived of all the Deccani eateries around. As for Charminar, I dont think will be much of a problem. Its simple, build eight minars or get ready to lose out on tourism money. The big question for this silver screen savy country is where will Tollywood move. The second biggest film industry after Bollywood is divided as to where to shift its loyalty. While majority of the studios are in Telangana but control of audience might be more in Andhra Pradesh or the future Seemandhra. New releases might come into jeopardy with big money at stake.

The geography plays a cruel game on Seemandhra. Take out Telangana and the state looks like the male reproductive organ. Now we get it that when the division happened who the Tom was and who became the Dick. Harry felt left out maybe he will stage a strike or revolt like the numerous groups and sects occupying Seemandhra. 

Telengana is not an isolated incidence. Many follow up similar cases have arised. Gorkhaland from West Bengal, Harit Pradesh from UP, Bodoland from Assam and Vidarbha from Maharashtra are just the ones top of peoples minds. 

Gorkhaland is something whch the residents of Darjeeling and surrounding areas want a separate state of their own for better running of affairs and protect Gorkha identity. The movement longs back as old as 1907 but could not gain momentum to explore the issue. Gorkha Janmukti Morcha is looking for prompt solutions but face opposition from in rule Trinamool Congress. Sudden movement in Telangana will give impetus to this cause as well. How often do you see only one fast food stall run in pomp ? The neighbouring stalls do quick business as well with nearly the same recipe. Get the point.

Bodoland is a demand of a similar movement to protect identity of Bodos which has been started in 1987 proclaiming 32 tribal belts and blocks on northen Bramhaputra as their own wonderland. Bodoland Peoples front is the body at the helm but face similar opposition as others. Here the main point is that once Bodoland is created, will the attrocities of various Bodo terror outfits stop ?

Vidarbha is already separated on cricketing grounds from Maharashatra and now might even look to go its separate ways on the politicial front. People of Vidarbha want a place of their own where no one is neglected and not stay in the shadows of political bigwigs running the state out of Mumbai. But this is not as easy as it sounds. Congress will hinder any advances for a separate Vidarbha simply for the fact that they need Vidarbha and their leaders for a sound majority and belittle NCP as well as opposition. As for opposition, BJP is pro Vidarbha but is that a mere opposition pre election gimmick, only time will tell. One cannot however dispute the fact that there is not enough leadership to drive the Vidarbha independence movement simply for the fact that it wont have stayed untouched for 40 years now. How many laymen have heard Vidarbha apart from farmer suicides and Umesh Yadav ?? More than political parties, individuals who genuinely feel for the cause should come together and drive it otherwise it will just be a Hollywood movie in Indian theatres .. talked about in the first week, wiped off in the second.

We all have learnt it one way or the other that sequels never work. Be it KBC or even MMS government. Only debarment to it being Tushar Kapoor and that was simply cause he was mute and the Eehhs and Ohhs were more funny than words. On a high level Telanagana was a hit with its motive but the other so called sequels around the country will have a tall order to go against. Maybe we can request Rohit Shetty to direct this cause, forget independence maybe we might see a couple of cars in the air and go back home with over 100 crores.

Young Red Devils .. over the years !!

This article featured on the sporting website Khelnama is about Manchester United Academy over the years and how it has produced and nurtured young players over the years. Out of all those players, some clicked while some flopped. Heres a look at some of the Young Red Devils over the years.

The link for the article: 

http://www.khelnama.com/130808/football/european-league-2012/english-premier-league/features/young-brigade-manchester-united-who-clicked-and-who-failed/11502

A Royal Baby cometh !!

For once Pippa Midleton was relieved that her derriere was not the focus of the tabloids. It was a certain equally cute thing, the Royal baby or the new born of Prince William and Kate Middleton. The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge had their new born but the entire United Kingdom rejoiced as if it was their own. On 22nd of July, the Royal family marked the arrival of the royal baby and the third in line to the much coveted throne. Poor thing, what pressure already  !!

There was immense media coverage with paparazzi going wild with glimpses of anything and everything. Be it the baby bump of Kate or the nurse who attended the duchess. The paparazzi just wanted snaps of the new His Royal Highness (HRH) so much so that when he barely touched his face with his palm that was deemed to be the first royal salute. It maybe a Royal salute for tabloids but its a big Facepalm to British media. Luis Suarez and Wayne Rooney like this status update already !!

This royal birth took British media by storm in terms of both coverage and revenue. Alistar Cook and his English teams cricket exploits were sent packing to the less lucrative middle pages and one off interviews. Rugby Lions also received a similar fate. Russel Brand found it disrespectful that his latest exploit wasn't taken notice off and he called it absolute 'Bollocks' !! Piers Morgan expecting such a change has already moved to Twitter fr his antics.

Well the baby was named as George Alexander Louis. The fans of Seinfeld actor Jason Alexander with his screen name as George Louis Costanza will be super proud. The sort of out of work actor atleast is remembered and is having his two moments of fame. The only hope is that this royal George doesn't look like this namesake George otherwise HRH will be seen more in anti baldness cream adverts of Telebrands. British betting sites like Ladbrokes & BetFred went into overtime to place bets for what will the name of HRH will be. Weirdly Messi as the name was a front runner too, cant blame UK if they want their own Messi. But somewhere I felt it was not thought off till the end. For a boy named George Alexander Louis will always have an acronym of GAL, its good that he owns half of UK otherwise this would mean lifetime bullying in school.

India was kind too in reception to the Royal baby. Either its the love for cute babies or just old attachments to colonialism by the British. All social networks were abuzz with the expectations, actual news of birth as well as post delivery overview. Ram Gopal Verma has announced to make a movie on the Royal birth saga and name it 'GAL ka birth'. Poonam Pandey and Sherlyn Chopra have already put their hand up for being George's girl friend and have promised they will maintain themselves with their Nasha & kheera respectively. Gourmet restaurants across India introduced a special 50% off on Fish n Chips to commemorate the royal birth.

Royal baby however has a rival across ocean in India, the very own Rahul Baba. This kid throws more tantrums than the royal baby will ever throw. Backed by his mother, baba is all set for ruling a democratic nation and need not stand in line behind individuals for his turn. Speaks a lot about British courtesy and Indian jugaadu approach. However one thing which is common is that both are darlings of the media, one way or the other.

But in all this buzz and chaos one particular individual is not taking it particularly well. You know who !!