Bewildered on 'Ton'dulkar Day

As the day folds to a close and silence prevails in the otherwise hustling corner of my office, a 16-year-old somewhere within the 23-year-old me is jostling with a plethora of emotions.
And the emotions are so diverse in nature that I am faced with a quandary as to what should go first.
Let me start with Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar’s spectacular double ton that rechristened him as the greatest ever to have brandished the willow. Every stroke played was reflective of the master’s deftness, every ruthless hit over the boundary made bowlers question if he is the same innocuous loving father of two children, and everytime he ran a breathless single, his 37-year-old body amazed more than what Usian Bolt’s thundering speed would. And yes, when he guided the ball to square point to run what would be the most historic jog down the 22-yards, the nation stood in jubilation as billions absorbed special memories that they could and would recall decades later when they relate bedtime tales of a certain Little Master.
For me however, it is hard to say with conviction if I was truly part of the moment. Yes, I stood before the television and my mind calculated every run he took in his 190’s, yes I remember when he flicked the ball and ran a two, he had broken Saeed Anwar’s (194) record, yes I also knew that 199 + 1 makes 200 and with that run, he had attained the summit. For me, something, infact everything was missing!!
I apologise to the 5’5’’ God of Cricket for not being ‘happy’ at the moment when the 100-odd colleagues around me jumped in jubilation. I was sad, dejected almost broken at a news I so wished turned untrue. And while his celebrations spanned across the contours of India, I had a sad face with frozen tears, recalling every moment the happiest face I had ever seen and at the same time, sinking in the thought of seeing my Donny – the most cheerful friend I have – cry. Cry why? I wouldn’t say it, for I believe that when she decides to read this piece 50 years down the line, and her wrinkled hands navigate the mouse to my blog link — I don’t wish to serve as a reminder of what she had lost on this day. Donny, can I just say I love you very very much and that you have truly taught me the Donny way of life!!

And as you say no “Raula Paana”, let’s shift the mood to some other eventful memories.

The Women Reservation Bill!! As I see it, you all are on a high with 24X7 news channels using, misusing and almost abusing the one news piece they have on their TRP-thirsty hands.
The media-dope aside, I truly think the Bill is a noble idea, but I fear the political compulsions surrounding us will not allow the idea to gain fruition.
The point is we are trying to solve the problem of economic inequality through social reservation. It is almost like hoping to improve the quality of Indian hockey players by improving our grounds and stadiums -- a solution that has more odds stacked against it than for it.
Also, I have serious doubts on the rotation policy the Bill proposes --- both from the view of the elector and the elected. Knowing that I would, in all certainty, not return, to command my constituency in the next term gives me ample reasons to shy away from doing quality work. Also, from the elector’s point of view, if I am impressed with the work quality of a certain Mr X, I would almost feel democratically cheated if the same candidate doesn’t get a chance to contest again.

And while I don’t want to delve into serious discussions (considering the deluge of information available all around), I want to share a line that often constituted my College Debate speeches -- WOMEN stands for Winners Of Mankind Eternally Neglected.
The fact that I oppose the Bill in its current form shouldn’t lead people to believe that I am a male chauvinist. As facts would have it -- I have adored and fallen in love only with women  .

And as I almost drown in the endless abyss of this computer monitor, I fear my thoughts say -- TIME OUT.
Before I sign off, for all you friends, critics and unknown followers, I want to confess – “I love you so much that I just can’t breathe” (Movie- Flubber)