The last day of 2008 is here.Finally.I thought this year would never end, what with a terrible climax, and….well I don’t remember what the starting was like(for further details, refer to the newspapers of 31st and 1st,they don’t have much news except the recap of the last year!).But, first things first, before I go off into one of my digressions AGAIN……..
2008 was a year filled with disasters (trust me, I m trying to rack my brains to try and remember something really great that happened in 2008, but in vain).It all started with the Bihar floods, sometime May. And what floods they were!’ Kosi’s Fury’ became too fiery for her own good and bam! It ended up wrecking every village in sight, like a wild, mad bull. Everyone appealed for help, and the chief minister even decided to take the help of the BSF.They came, and they went.Period.God only knows how many people were killed, and how many left homeless. The Aerial pictures showed Bihar’s vast landscape half buried in water. But the floods soon became a topic of GD for all the politicians, and thus it became a blame game,sadly,like all other issues of importance, and political parties made it apparently on the ‘ top’ of their election manifestos.Let's see if it's still there.....
Somewhere in the middle started the nuclear deal, and the whole country talking about it-everyone from the chaiwallah to the lazy government officer, and in that confusion, people like me were left wondering what exactly the nuke deal was all about!!(m still in the process of figuring it out; will write a detailed post when I actually figure out the intricate details!!!)
Surprisingly, the Bihar floods paved way for the whole Bihar-MNS fight (better not talk too much on this topic, lest I find myself banned from entering Bombay { yes,Bombay} for life, which I definitely DO NOT want!).Candidates appearing for the Railway recruitment exam were stoned,hit,and whatnot. People of North Indian descent were attacked, and in some cases, thrown out of local trains. It sparked out a whole get-the-North Indian-outta- Bombay campaign, of which no one was a part, except….well, You Know Who ( obviously not Lord Voldemort, but in my opinion, no less crazy!!)
While on one side this whole MNS hullabaloo was taking place, the Beijing Olympics had started, and thus ‘ India Shining’ literally took place. We had players performing much beyond their ability, and thus we managed to win 3 medals, including one gold in shooting, bringing our medal haul to a personal record of 3.And the other players didn’t disappoint either.Saina Nehwal almost made it, playing spectacularly reaching the quarterfinal.
When we are talking about sports, we can’t exactly forget about cricket. Cricket underwent numerous transformations, from Tests, to one dayers,and now 20-20.Still reeling under India’s win in the 20-20 world cup, a cricket league, somewhat similar to European football leagues, was formed, and everyone, from Shah Rukh Khan to Mukesh Ambani had a team of their own. Cricket underwent another transformation of sorts, from a religion to a business, with publicity, brand ambassadors and cheerleaders of its own.2008 was also the year which the once invincible Aussies were finally met defeat in the hands of South Africa and India. This year also included the famous incident of Symonds putting up a case against our very own Bhajji for calling him a ‘ monkey’. We know what Bhajji actually said, don’t we;)?
2008 will also probably go down as the year in which the crude oil prices increased to their peak rapidly, and decreased at the same rate( from approx $145 to $39 a barrel i.e approx 19 L).The stock market fluctuated faster than ever, and sent hi-fi firms like Merrill Lynch running for cover and the global meltdown. Job lay offs In the US reached its highest point since 92’.That time the IT industry saved them…now what? We,till now, maintain our stand that our economy is fine, thanks to our strong foundation, thank God.
Amidst the recession, a black man was on his way to create American history, with his motto ‘ Change, We Can’.Barack Husein Obama defeated big shots like Hilary Clinton and John McCain, and ran away with the coveted position of President elect of the United States. We can’t wait till his swearing-in ceremony this year…..
With the fluctuating markets on one side, our space scientists were busy sending a PSLV to moon, which took off successfully in November. The next few days were a great milestone in India’s space history, as we tracked the progress of the satellite as it went on its path.Now, after the success of Chandrayaan-1 comes the new mission to Mars. Hope it takes off well….
Just as we were thinking that November was going to be a great month ahead and that we would have a Merry Christmas, we heard about the firing in Bombay. What started as a ‘ firing in CST station and outside Cama Hospital’ led to a full fledged war between 10 terrorists and Bombay police, later accompanied by NSG, lasting 3 days and at various locations like Nariman house, Taj Palace and Trident Hotel. We really didn’t care if the TRPs of the channels broke all previous records. All we cared was about our fellow countrymen in the grip of the terrorists.Finally,after the 3 day war,NSG commandos emerged from Trident smiling,having killed 9 terrorists and captured one alive.
But sadness & insecurity still remained in the air, as all mumbaikars shed tears for all the hundreds of innocent people who lost their lives. The images of the dead and injured still lay fresh in our minds. Hundreds of peoples from every walk of life congregated near Gateway of India, right opposite Taj Palace, and demanded justice for the victims. For not the first time, we Indians demanded a solution for terrorism and wondered how our security forces had failed to spot a gaping hole in the plan. The shouts from Bombay echoed in the ears of Delhi, and our country decided to sever all ties with Pakistan.They, on a tit-for-tat move, arrested an Indian national, apparently responsible for a suicide blast. Till now,mumbaikars are left with questions on their lips, and hurt in their eyes, and are unable to get rid of the image of the dome of the majestic Taj burning away………..
Let’s erase all this hate and violence. Let’s try to provide ointment to the hurt, and not aggravate their already hurt feelings. Let’s join hands with each other, and with the scars of the past fresh in our minds, proceed towards the future. Let’s spread the message of love and friendship, because it’s only love that can totally cure hatred and pent up anger.
In our daily hectic lives, let us take some time off each day to talk. To whom, you ask? To our friends, or parents or relatives, or even that someone special. that’s the only way you can shower your love on the other person.Chocolates,candies, flowers, all are probably good enough for a day or two, at the most, but you will always remember the talks you’ve had with people, and they are the only things that can give you happiness. Even if that person is far, far away from you, the plain fact that you remember the talks you had shows that you still love him/her. Also make sure you tell your family that you love them. Try to spill some love into your life, and automatically the world is filed with love and happiness…..
With these thoughts, and tears in my eyes, I wish my family, friends, whoever is reading this article, and last,but not at all the least, my someone special, wherever he is,
A VERY VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR 2009!!!!
May God Bless You all with health,wealth,peace and prosperity,and always shower you with all His blessings….
2008 was a year filled with disasters (trust me, I m trying to rack my brains to try and remember something really great that happened in 2008, but in vain).It all started with the Bihar floods, sometime May. And what floods they were!’ Kosi’s Fury’ became too fiery for her own good and bam! It ended up wrecking every village in sight, like a wild, mad bull. Everyone appealed for help, and the chief minister even decided to take the help of the BSF.They came, and they went.Period.God only knows how many people were killed, and how many left homeless. The Aerial pictures showed Bihar’s vast landscape half buried in water. But the floods soon became a topic of GD for all the politicians, and thus it became a blame game,sadly,like all other issues of importance, and political parties made it apparently on the ‘ top’ of their election manifestos.Let's see if it's still there.....
Somewhere in the middle started the nuclear deal, and the whole country talking about it-everyone from the chaiwallah to the lazy government officer, and in that confusion, people like me were left wondering what exactly the nuke deal was all about!!(m still in the process of figuring it out; will write a detailed post when I actually figure out the intricate details!!!)
Surprisingly, the Bihar floods paved way for the whole Bihar-MNS fight (better not talk too much on this topic, lest I find myself banned from entering Bombay { yes,Bombay} for life, which I definitely DO NOT want!).Candidates appearing for the Railway recruitment exam were stoned,hit,and whatnot. People of North Indian descent were attacked, and in some cases, thrown out of local trains. It sparked out a whole get-the-North Indian-outta- Bombay campaign, of which no one was a part, except….well, You Know Who ( obviously not Lord Voldemort, but in my opinion, no less crazy!!)
While on one side this whole MNS hullabaloo was taking place, the Beijing Olympics had started, and thus ‘ India Shining’ literally took place. We had players performing much beyond their ability, and thus we managed to win 3 medals, including one gold in shooting, bringing our medal haul to a personal record of 3.And the other players didn’t disappoint either.Saina Nehwal almost made it, playing spectacularly reaching the quarterfinal.
When we are talking about sports, we can’t exactly forget about cricket. Cricket underwent numerous transformations, from Tests, to one dayers,and now 20-20.Still reeling under India’s win in the 20-20 world cup, a cricket league, somewhat similar to European football leagues, was formed, and everyone, from Shah Rukh Khan to Mukesh Ambani had a team of their own. Cricket underwent another transformation of sorts, from a religion to a business, with publicity, brand ambassadors and cheerleaders of its own.2008 was also the year which the once invincible Aussies were finally met defeat in the hands of South Africa and India. This year also included the famous incident of Symonds putting up a case against our very own Bhajji for calling him a ‘ monkey’. We know what Bhajji actually said, don’t we;)?
2008 will also probably go down as the year in which the crude oil prices increased to their peak rapidly, and decreased at the same rate( from approx $145 to $39 a barrel i.e approx 19 L).The stock market fluctuated faster than ever, and sent hi-fi firms like Merrill Lynch running for cover and the global meltdown. Job lay offs In the US reached its highest point since 92’.That time the IT industry saved them…now what? We,till now, maintain our stand that our economy is fine, thanks to our strong foundation, thank God.
Amidst the recession, a black man was on his way to create American history, with his motto ‘ Change, We Can’.Barack Husein Obama defeated big shots like Hilary Clinton and John McCain, and ran away with the coveted position of President elect of the United States. We can’t wait till his swearing-in ceremony this year…..
With the fluctuating markets on one side, our space scientists were busy sending a PSLV to moon, which took off successfully in November. The next few days were a great milestone in India’s space history, as we tracked the progress of the satellite as it went on its path.Now, after the success of Chandrayaan-1 comes the new mission to Mars. Hope it takes off well….
Just as we were thinking that November was going to be a great month ahead and that we would have a Merry Christmas, we heard about the firing in Bombay. What started as a ‘ firing in CST station and outside Cama Hospital’ led to a full fledged war between 10 terrorists and Bombay police, later accompanied by NSG, lasting 3 days and at various locations like Nariman house, Taj Palace and Trident Hotel. We really didn’t care if the TRPs of the channels broke all previous records. All we cared was about our fellow countrymen in the grip of the terrorists.Finally,after the 3 day war,NSG commandos emerged from Trident smiling,having killed 9 terrorists and captured one alive.
But sadness & insecurity still remained in the air, as all mumbaikars shed tears for all the hundreds of innocent people who lost their lives. The images of the dead and injured still lay fresh in our minds. Hundreds of peoples from every walk of life congregated near Gateway of India, right opposite Taj Palace, and demanded justice for the victims. For not the first time, we Indians demanded a solution for terrorism and wondered how our security forces had failed to spot a gaping hole in the plan. The shouts from Bombay echoed in the ears of Delhi, and our country decided to sever all ties with Pakistan.They, on a tit-for-tat move, arrested an Indian national, apparently responsible for a suicide blast. Till now,mumbaikars are left with questions on their lips, and hurt in their eyes, and are unable to get rid of the image of the dome of the majestic Taj burning away………..
Let’s erase all this hate and violence. Let’s try to provide ointment to the hurt, and not aggravate their already hurt feelings. Let’s join hands with each other, and with the scars of the past fresh in our minds, proceed towards the future. Let’s spread the message of love and friendship, because it’s only love that can totally cure hatred and pent up anger.
In our daily hectic lives, let us take some time off each day to talk. To whom, you ask? To our friends, or parents or relatives, or even that someone special. that’s the only way you can shower your love on the other person.Chocolates,candies, flowers, all are probably good enough for a day or two, at the most, but you will always remember the talks you’ve had with people, and they are the only things that can give you happiness. Even if that person is far, far away from you, the plain fact that you remember the talks you had shows that you still love him/her. Also make sure you tell your family that you love them. Try to spill some love into your life, and automatically the world is filed with love and happiness…..
With these thoughts, and tears in my eyes, I wish my family, friends, whoever is reading this article, and last,but not at all the least, my someone special, wherever he is,
A VERY VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR 2009!!!!
May God Bless You all with health,wealth,peace and prosperity,and always shower you with all His blessings….
1 comment:
hey happy new year to everyone who read mia's blog(i.e. mia herself)....well a great summary given by her of the year that went by,which was the year of the pig or snake or whichever animal according to the chinese calender year...i m not a writer,so would not like to stretch this post 2 long,like mia did....so i m signing of,saying happy new year to all once again
Post a Comment