The Fuss

Our former Prez Dr Kalam was frisked at the Delhi airport by Continental airlines staff which caused a furore nationwide with the media chomping on the same for the past 72 hours. I say what is all the fuss about.

As per Prafful Patel (Civil Aviation Minister) VIP's and Politicians are exempted from such frisking at the airport as they are VIP's and politicians. This is what makes my blood boil. I mean what the heck if these guys are politicians. What if one fine day some politician hides cocaine inside his kurta and goes through without getting frisked or for that matter a pen knife with an idea of hijacking the aeroplane mid-air. An International airport is a place where perhaps people of all nationalities come together. Some good,some bad and I mean the intentions. Our generation has seen almost everything (except another nuclear attack, dont want to experience or even see it either) and such frisking atleast will keep all the so called VIP's and Policticians on their toes and you never know they might get caught with an extra body part :-)

Continental airlines did not apologise saying that those on flight to US are checked in almost all countries by them. Fair enough. I mean are we surrounded by any friendly neighbours. Then why take a chance. For all you know and god forbid this Dr Kalam's family gets kidnapped by some terror outfit based in well u guessed it right, and then Dr Kalam is told that as this is the situation if you want us to release your family safely please take this dabba of ladoos to US (assuming the fact that the airport authorities wont frisk him). Does this guy have any choice. I mean how many of us would put the life of our family on the line, not many I guess.....

Dr Kalam the gentleman he is was not too bothered about the whole incident if reports in the media are to be believed.

Now, as the airlines has finally given an apology, they have also said that the rules of the US Transportation Security Administration(TSA) requires final security check without exemption (Source : CNN IBN). Its a case of Just doing my job maybe.

All in all the so called VIP pampering that goes on in the country should be stopped or atleast should not be given coverage in the media. Coz when the common man who pays the taxes and does not get good roads,traffic free roads,a comfortable train ride to work and the politicians get open roads during peak hour traffic , is the common man to be blamed for the frustration he carries in his head and heart.

WILL IT EVER END

The only terrorist alive and in custody of the Mumbai Police admitted that he was behind the whole terror drama that happened on 26/11 in South Mumbai, which killed hundred's and left thousands injured physically as well as mentally. The trial started months back and is still going to continue for the next few months atleast going by the way our judiciary system is.

Terror had earned a name for itself, most so prominently after the September 11 attacks on the twin towers in US. With home grown small time terror outfits getting patronage from countries with greed for power and money ( US included) the world is at large at risk as all are aware. Nothing else but political will is necessary for uprooting the terror from the world.

The question though remains is when and who will take the bow high up and aim the arrow towards terrorism and will the rest of the world rally around. With G15 having India in it, we as a country have a point to make. Finally.

For all the countries it is more important to be financially dependent but can they concentrate on that if this disease of terrorism is still around? Countries like China frankly do not seem to be doing their bit to stop it as well. Seems like a situation of 'If it does not concern me why bother'. The recent violence in their country attracted comments from Al-Qaeda that "the muslim community in China if ignored will have far reaching consequences".All are aware of the military prowess that China has. It will be interesting to see whether they form a coalition with the rest of the forces if such a time comes.

But the question remains that will the developed and the developing countries come together as a force to reckon with and nip terrorism in the bud or will it rule our minds and bodies for the coming few decades.

Adios Super Fred

Yesterday was a very surprising one with Andrew Flintoff the burly Lancashire all-rounder announcing his retirement from test matches after the on going Ashes Series.

Little did he knew at the start of the series that he will say what he said yesterday. But a string of ankle surgeries and knee operations, it was as the experts said was only a matter of time till he would be forced out of contention. No one ever thought such would be the price that the England lions would pay for utilising him time and again when they were looking down the barrel and almost everytime he delivered....but the repercussions were not that encouraging with him being in rehab for most of the times since 2005.

Not that he always helped himself up the ranks in the English side....keeping up with the bad boy image....but freddy showed a lot of maturity post his marraige to the beautiful Rachael who runs her own events company by the name of Strawberry Promotions.

All said and done this all rounder who played for 11 long years serving English cricket giving his very best everytime he walked the green patch must be defintely regretting having not being if not 'The Best' atleast 'One of the Best' Captains for England.

Test cricket fans will always miss the valor with which he weilded his willow and the fire with which he put his heart and soul in his bowling......

For now though he has to concentrate on the rest of the series. And how the whole of England would hope that he rambles on and roll presses the aussies.....

His teammates would also give their best to win the series....would there be a more fitting good bye for SUPER FREDDIE FLINTOFF.......

THE ASHES BEGINS.....

By the time you read this "The Ashes Series" will be underway in Cardiff Wales. The 100th venue for test matches the pitch had come under the scanner for being under prepared earlier this year but did'nt have any controversy as of recently (source : BBC Live)

The history is well known. England & Australia started playing in 1882 and have been since playing after a gap of two years every year. The australians though are holding an upper hand over the series for the last 2 decades with only once tasting series defeat in 2005, the aussies look well on their way for another Ashes triumph this summer in England.

The England side though not carrying an attack with enough tooth, they must be banking on the spin magic of Monty Panesar. With Nathan Hauritz still not able to claw a permanent place in the Australian side he will definitely have his work cut out for the series. A series of injuries have plagued the Aussies with Bret Lee out for the first two tests and Watson not playing in the first one. Taking all the 20 wickets would be a cause of concern for the Australians. With the inexperienced Ben hilfenhaus as support to Siddle and the bowling machine Mitchel Johnson the australians would be hoping that the England batsmen make as many mistakes as possible. With the McGraths and the Warnes and the Gilchrists and the Haydens and the Langers making hay while the IPL shines the Australians are in for a tough series for sure.

The English side on the other hand would be banking highly on their openers to put up a good total so that their bowlers can atleast fight to get the Australians out for not too high a total.

All in all the series won't be one-sided as predicted by my very good friend eashwar as his prediction is a 5-0 English whitewash. Any takers?