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’. 

Aadhar for People, Support for Government

Aadhar is the moniker given to the Unique Identification Number or some of the marketing enthusiasts would say a 'Brand Name' to the entire UIDAI's process. Unique Identification Authority of India is headed by the once software bigwig Mr. Nandan Nilekani. Nilekani who has a successful software career with Infosys and multi million networth but this advisor to the Government tag is more important. Its more like any European football club is proud of its League title and the Domestic cup win but Champions League win is altogether different.

The UIDAI's mandate is to issue every resident a unique identification number linked to the resident's demographic and biometric information, which they can use to identify themselves anywhere in India, and to access a host of benefits and services. So for now the likes of Shamita Shetty and Tanisha will have a unique identity and not just mere star sisters !!

Recently the Aadhar card came into much news as government announced cash transfer rollout. There is a lot of excitement and anxiety both about the Government's stance over this step. Rather than doling out subsidies in the physical format, a model is developed where cash is transferred directly into the accounts of the beneficiaries. The identification of the eligible beneficiaries is sought to be done on the basis of Aadhar cards. This new identification system will be more than 99% fool proof and hence cannot be corrupted. After hearing this, I wonder the Gangarams of this world will break into a jig and develop a new dancing style. #GangaramStyle

But nothing in India is without hurdles. Be it municipal roads for the Indian cars or off late the English spinners for the Indian batting lineup. Then why an exception to this. The main hurdle is rolling out the remaining cards in just over 18 months and the number is huge. Huge enough for an ordinary citizen but not huge enough for an ordinary politician. For one it relates to a number seen in textbooks for other it is the amount of the scam. Yeah, so the amount is somewhere in the region of 38 crores. Expect last minute rush which would lead to increased inefficiency and even duplicity. Another problem to this magnanimous project is the biometrics. For most of the lesser educated population the word 'biometrics' draws parallels from something taken out from movies like Krisshh and Ra.One. So taking biometric prints that to for labourers and farmers is a difficult task in itself plus their prints vary over lifetime. Also iris scans of the population over 60 is largely unreliable. So if you are a farmer above sixty then you are screwed. Loss of identity alert.

Aadhar is solely dependent on National Population Registrar and the cards are issued to the people covered by them so far. Its like a token oriented line, no matter how empty the line looks you have to wait till that idiot ahead of you comes back from his loo break and gets his thing done. #PersonalWoes. Add to that the guessing game played by the government. They are waiting for the iron to get hot so that they can strike, instead only thing getting hot are people's heads. But the irons, the woods and the putters all will be hot when elections cometh. Golf analogy .. Rory or Tiger will get this !!

Its true that current government will use the cash transfer as that dangling carrot in front of Hungry India, Poor India for votes. Initially the subsidies only will be added to the accounts but slowly but steadily pensions, wages and even scholarships will be routed through. Model is foolproof they say. Model is implemented successfully in Brazil they say. We have got jugaad for everything in India they never said. We dont have everything what Brazil has they never said. Pele, Ronaldo, Adriana Lima and Gisele Bundchen just did a collective facepalm.

So then what next? If this goes ahead, anything and everything will be based on Aadhar card only. A certain meaningful 'conditional' cash transfer will go for a toss. Unless levied with meaningful conditions India will not use it wisely. What starts with subsidies and food, fuels and fertilizers will reach to hoarding, gambling and black marketing in no time. Its like double edged sword which even the wielder needs to be wary about.

How we wish some particular qualities can be distributed through the Aadhar system. Some honesty and dignity for our politicians. Some acting talent and class for our film fraternity especially some heroes and heroines. Some shame for the anti social elements and finally some writing talent for the author. Thanks !!

Another BRIC in the Wall !!!

Well ... we definitely 'need to be educated' on this topic !! The BRICS which are holding the Wall of World Economy together and resisting the penetration of USA are the group of nations, in whose hands lie the destiny of tomorrow. Meet Brazil, Russia, India, China & South Africa.

Brazil the land of Samba, Football & Mafia is infact an agricultural powerhouse with huge potential for producing  sugar and coffee. So now you know who to curse if the canteen guy increases the coffee price by couple of bucks. What we would like from Brazil in barter is their footballing talent and what we have to offer will only be disclosed at the end. But seriously, with all the kids  in India going the football way its high time that we have a Kaka in our ranks or atleast his nephew.

Secondly Russia, the land of Kalashnikovs and Vodka is a large reserve for Oil & Gas.The largest country by area once upon a time gave USA serious run for their money not just on land but in space too. With names that require a severe use of epiglottis, Russia is coming to recognition once again thanks to their ever fit president Mr. Putin. So what we would like from Russia in barter is 'absolut'ely the Vodka in fact a lifetime supply of it. Some other things came to my mind but that will be done through a private request. *nudge*nudge*wink*wink*

Ni Hao China !! The land where even a 90 year old can kick your ass in a game of table tennis, China is a manufacturing paradise. You name it and they will produce it. Right from needles to aircrafts. This country looks for the future although some of their products does not suggest the same. An immensely huge export driven economy, China holds $ 3.2 trillion of foreign reserves so now you know why Obama frowns when he sees an oriental guy. What we want in barter is Martial arts and the cool shaolin temples. The action will definitely add extra spice to our already rocking movie industry. Plus Mr. Akshay Kumar will have company jumping out of buildings too.

South Africa, the small 's' tagging along the BRIC nations is no more a child. A huge mineral reserve and a host to some of the important sporting events, South Africa is converting its baby steps into long strides now. What we would like from them is .... Charlize Theron .. well thats my little prejudice but who would not want her. Common politicians, stop drooling !!!

So then the question still remains, can the BRICS lay a siege on the domination by the heavyweights like US n UK. With the Euro crisis leading to many countries getting a reality check on how they were working, the BRICS have got a far more efficient work rate and better productivity. With the BRICS Development bank concept ready to come into existence and get the nations even more close one waits to see what the US will do. For starters, more trips to India and China by Obama.

Well as promised, India who believes in sharing will as part of the barter give our very prized asset. I wont add to the suspense any more as all the BRICS ambassadors are looking with a keen eye. Well ... the politicians or the netas ... they really are an asset to our country (or maybe they build lots of assets). They will make the likes of Shangais and Moscows and Rios, the new Patnas & Ranchis of this world. They will earadicate the mafia from your respective countries as they themselves will be the mafia you have to be afraid of in future.See how much we care about you !!! So now since the barter is done, No Returns Pass !!!