Desperately Seeking - Integrity In Individuals!

I'm not going to start with a dictionary definition of integrity as is the pattern when writing about such topics. The reason is simple, if we need a dictionary to define the word integrity, then clearly the purpose of the post is served.

The other day I re-read one of my favourite books, The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. The thing about the book is that people often dispute the ideology of the book and the author. Fair enough, there is no need for every individual to follow a philosophy, leave alone one that is quite contrary to the accepted ideologies and principles of the world. However, it would be unfair to dismiss every aspect of the book. There are qualities defined such as integrity, original thinking that surely need to be given importance. No?

I'm not talking about taking a moral high ground and behave like an orthodox person unyielding to the obvious and necessary changes the world has seen. The need of the hour is to think broadly and more importantly on your on, not to fall for the high drama that the current social media is all about. There is also an absolute necessity to avoid any influence on your thoughts once you have decided on the path that you chose for yourself. That is all the integrity I seek.

When you set a goal in life, its easy to sway, you either work towards it and fail or give up midway. Often you feel tempted to take the shortcut to success, pay a simple bribe at first or compromise on your morals once in a while. Its simple enough you think, I wouldn't repeat it once I reach my goal. However, before you know it compromises are routine and later you convince yourself (rather well too) that it is unavoidable. Later it becomes a part of life.

This is when you realise (if ever you stop to think at such a juncture) that you have lost your integrity.

To walk a path where you hold on to your ideals, unbending and unyielding will be difficult, life will not be easy, but you find that end of the day your conscience is clear, the fruits of your hard work seem so much sweeter and far more valued.

My lament is where are such people now? Every person in the public eye has a proverbial albatross around his or her neck, big or small, skeletons either out of their cupboards or waiting to tumble out. Its a sad state of affairs where role models do not exist and my only hope to provide an example is to resort to a fictional character like Howard Roark.

Where are the Howard Roarks of our times?

O Captain, my Captain!

Writer's note - India Won the Cricket World Cup and the euphoria still remains high in my heart! The Captain truly made us believe and this one is dedicated to MSD!

It took me about 20 days to finally write about the historic win ! India had won the Cricket world cup and the last time the same had happened was a good 28 years earlier! I remember being excited about the pictures I had seen of Kapil Dev holding the WC Trophy on the Lords balcony, almost ten years after the event actually occurred. I even remember my cousins having a poster of the Captain and World Cup hero of 1983, Kapil Dev in their room. I had read of some and heard of many stories of courage and bravery of how the captain had led a side that nobody had given a second thought to as probable winners of the prestigious world cup. Fascinated, I had wondered how it felt to watch such an historic moment! The first world cup final I remembered watching was the 1992 one, where again a captain, Imran Khan had heroically led his team, Pakistan, to its maiden win!

By 1996 world cup, I was a cricket maniac like more than half this country’s population. We were the host nation and had a great side, we had our hopes! The way it was shattered is something that any cricket loving person in this country will remember with more than a little shame! Again a great captain, Arjuna Ranatunga guided his team, Srilanka, brilliantly to a victory that cemented Srilanka’s place as one of the finest cricketing nations.

In 1999, Steve Waugh, the Captain of the Australian team, not only won the cup for his team by winning against a formidable South African side that was the firm favourite to win the cup, but also apparently told a hapless Gibbs when he dropped Waugh’s catch ..that son you just dropped the world cup. Immense confidence in that semifinal match did not go invain, as Australia managed to hold on to that trophy for a record 3 consecutive world cups under Rinky Ponting the next two times.

Though in 2003, under Saurav Ganguly, the first Indian Captain to bring aggression into the side and a self belief that we can be world beaters too, India managed to reach the World cup final, Australia were a far superior team with the likes of Gilchrist, Hayden, MCGrath, Warne – each legends in their own right – still playing at their best.

2007 WC was the kind of disaster for the Indian team, that should be avoided mention if possible.

It was during this event that a promising and upcoming cricketer who had made an impression on the Indian psyche with his big hitting, powerful shots and long locks, had his effigies burnt and the foundation to his under construction house vanadlised by some fanatical fans swayed by extreme emotions. Strangely enough, this person was not the captain of that team nor was he the most important player of the team, there were other legends in the team. Yet the expectations from this individual was already sky high, the person was none other than Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

When all the big weights of the Indian team like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Saurav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble withdrew from the 2007 T20 first ever World cup held in South Africa. The Indian board sent a rookie team with a new Captain, MS Dhoni. Just like it was the case with Kapil Dev’s team in 1983, nobody gave this team the tiniest of chances to win the cup. Win, they did and in complete style, thus heralding a new generation of players into the Indian team.

The Captain, a small town boy with no connections, background or support had created quite an impression by his unconventional ways and cool approach. When he took over as the ODI captain and the test captain, nobody had reservations, as he had, by then, made quite an impression.

2011 World cup was special that way, India were one of the favourite teams to win the cup even over teams like defending champions Australia. With India playing host along with Srilanka and Bangladesh, the expectations were sky high. However as the tournament progressed, the lack lustre performance by the Indian team even in wins created quite an unrest in this cricket loving nation. MS Dhoni , by now an experienced captain was criticized for his team selection, poor strategies and lack of form.

The knock-out stages however brought hope, with India beating Australia convincingly and then winning against Pakistan comfortably though not comprehensively, still meant India had beat some of the best teams to reach the final. The final was to be against a very strong Srilankan side. Nothing less than a win and the hundredth International ton by Cricketing Legend Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar was expected .

The Final itself was well worth a final, with the drama starting right at the toss, with both Captains thinking they had won the toss and a re-toss where MS Dhoni lost the toss, much to everyone’s dismay! However, though Zaheer bowled like a dream initially, the captain continued to receive flak for his team selection. Indian Team, not really known for its fielding were flying around the field stopping impossible to touch balls, especially, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina and Virat Kohli, the best fielders in the team. Some fluid batting by Mahela Jayawardane saw the Srilankan side make a decent 275 that was the highest target that needed to be chased in a WC final. Needless t o say, this had never been done before and nor had any home team won a WC before and no team had lost after a batsman had made a century. The history seemed to indicate another disappointment for India

While chasing, when India lost the fabulous Virender Sehwag, there was still hope as Sachin Tendulkar seemed to be hitting the ball well. However when Tendulkar nicked a ball for an easy catch and India were 32/2 there was a stunned silence in the Wankhade stadium where the deafening noise initially had actually been the reason why the match referee couldn’t even hear the toss call. It was not just the stadium that lost hope, it was also a nation full of cricket loving people and others watching from all over the world. As Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli, held on and played some wonderful shots, the hope seemed to slowly rebuild, run by run. When Kohli got out to a brilliant return catch by Dilshan, everybody expected an in form and 4 time man of the match winner in the tournament Yuvraj Singh to walk in.

Much to everyone’s surprise, in walked Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.. there was ofcourse some strong cricketing reasons for this, he would later say, the left and right hand combination, his ability to play spin better and a better knowledge of Murali’s doosra. However at that time, absolutely nobody would’ve even raised an eyebrow had Yuvraj Singh walked in. Yet in taking a decision so brave, in the most demanding of circumstances, Dhoni had earned respect of not just the commentators but also of the entire nation. As the nation watched, Dhoni played with resolve and confidence, not an iota of fear or worry on his face. The commentators , who were earlier criticizing his decisions , couldn’t help putting into words what every Indian was feeling then, here is a captain, who does not evade responsibility , instead leads from the front, like a true leader!

When Gautam Gambhir lost out a well deserved century owing to one bad shot, India were still a little away from victory, but when Yuvraj singh walked in, there was almost a surety that yes, we were nearing that elusive World Cup win, because our captain had made us believe in him. Even when a physio came in to sort out a back strain, even when we saw him grimace in pain , we knew, this man would not leave the field without finishing the game. Finish he did and how, with nearly 10 balls to spare and yes with a magnificent last ball six. That Six will remain etched in the hearts and minds of every person who has witnessed it. A few seconds to watch the ball as it soared into the gallery and a bat twist in the coolest of fashion, a smile as an emotional Yuvraj hugged him . I, like many others that day, that moment became a fan of MS Dhoni, captain cool, captain courageous!

As he spoke in the presentation ceremony, like he did in every other match, admitting to making mistakes even when his so called bad judgements had worked well, I looked on in awe. Now he admitted to knowing the consequences, had his judgement gone wrong! Like the modest person that he is, he stayed on in the sidelines as the great man Sachin Tendulkar was paraded around the ground on the shoulders of the team mates who had all dedicated that win to this great man.

To think MS Dhoni had been criticized heavily for stating before the WC, that he wanted to win the WC for Sachin Tendulkar! It was then considered a sign of overconfidence! When the captain had proved his detractors wrong , he remained the same, living in the moment, not getting carried away nor making brash statements filled with arrogance. The mark of a true man lies in the way he behaves when he is at the pinnacle of success. Here is a man like no other, a true inspiration!

The Bitter bitter people!!

Everywhere you go - on the internet that is, you see people commenting enthusiastically on topics of importance , no importance et all... Like always I read through the comments about a young Bollywood actor getting married. He's been with her for 8 years..so when is the divorce the comments went. The other comments were along the same lines. I wonder, what is it that make people so bitter. Every comment you read on any issue makes you want to rethink your views. No not your views on the subject, but on the people all around you. As much as you would like to think the majority are democratic, forward thinking and intelligent people..every comment seem to say otherwise..
Bitterness is all I see. Everybody seems bitter. Some are just plain sarcastic but the bitterness in their voice(words) is hard to miss. Maybe they are tired of the routine, celeb link ups break-ups, marriages, re-marriages, patch ups, insults and praises they shower on each other, everything seems fake to them. Same goes for the political parties, when you have to decide on who to vote based on whose corruption was the least harmful to the people, we are indeed living in "bitter" times. Take sport, its no more fun. You want your team to win, no matter what, you hate the opponent, you suspect your own players of having taken money..or you see your favourites being auctioned like cattle in a cattle market. No fun, just that bitter feeling creeping in, why do I not make as much money..I work just as hard..ah bitter bitter very bitter.

So in a country (can I add not just the country) that is fast filling up with bitter people, there is no role for genuine people? Genuine people are doubted, questioned and branded as unintelligent, not fit for the current times. You are nice? Then you are not fit to live seems to be what the message is!

Ah you what bitter people...I have a message for you.. The bitterness gets to me as well, but I try and look at things without my own myopic view of things affecting things.. well most times..atleast there is something nice left in the world ..and I'm only too glad I see it. Take a look, you wont mind it too :)

PS - Happy New year!!