EURO DREAM TEAM SQUAD

MY EURO DREAM TEAM SQUAD
 A note for all readers, this squad was picked over 16 rounds competing with 16 other "managers". I have picked players such that they fit into my team maintaining balance and providing their astounding football skills to win any EURO match.
Special Thanks to Rahul Gollamudi for coming up with the idea!

Here's my introduction to the squad. I have only put 2-3 lines for every player, I'm sure there are others who would appreciate them better since most of this squad were winning things even before I was born. Happy Reading!


Dino Zoff (GK):
was voted 3rd best keeper of the 20th century. In a team of tough characters I will bank on him to bring calm to the team especially in the penalty area and is the best man to have as a last line of defence.
Vital Stat:
Holds the longest playing time without allowing goals in international tournaments (1142 mins)
Euro Form:
Winner Euro 1968


Manfred Kaltz (RB):
Kaltz was famous for his right-footed crosses, which he hit with so much spin that they curved like a banana. They were affectionately called "Bananenflanken" ("banana crosses").
Vital Stat:
His partnership with Horst Hrubesch (a brilliant header of the ball) was one of the best. Like Hrubesch once described "Manny Banana, I head goal"
Euro Form:
Winner Euro 1980, Runner up 1976

Bobby Moore (CB):
Captain of the English team which finished third in the 1968 Euro's, Moore was regarded as one of the best defenders in the world by all his peers. His reading of the game is what set him apart from other defenders of his time. Like Jock Stein, the famous Celtic coach said, "He sees things 20 minutes before the others".
Euro Form:
3rd place Euro 1968

Franz Beckenbauer (CB):
nicknamed Der Kaiser ("The Emperor") because of his elegant style, his leadership, and his dominance on the football pitch. He is generally regarded as the greatest German footballer of all time and one of the greatest and most decorated footballers in the history of the game. Beckenbauer was a versatile player who started out as a midfielder but made his name as a defender.
Vital Stat:
An outstanding ball player, he can also start attacks from the back and combine with Gunter Netzer in midfield if needed giving the perfect platform to feed the front players.
Euro Form:
Winner 1972, Runner up 1976

Sinisa Mihajlovic (LB):
Although, Mihajlovic made it to only one Euro it was primarily due to the unrest in Eastern Europe which denied him and other Yugoslav players of a chance to show what they could do at the international level. Apart from his versatility at left back and central defence, he is one of the best free kick takers in the history of the game. He could both score direct free kicks and provide assists at set pieces which could be a key factor considering the competition which the team will be up against
in the tournament.
Vital Stat:
One of the very few players to have scored a hatrick of free kicks in the Serie A and also the highest goal scorer from free kicks in the Serie A (27 goals).
Euro Form:
Quarter Finals Euro 2000

Stefan Effenberg (CM):
Nicknamed Der Tiger Stefan Effenberg had leadership skills, powerful shooting ability, physical strength, but also a fearsome character. A player who will cover every inch of grass on the field and could win you games on his own, when the chips are down or the crucial penalty needs to be taken you knew he would be the one taking it. His inspirational qualities are what will be vital to drive a team definitely not short on talent.
Euro Form:
Runner Up: Euro 1992

Gunter Netzer (CM/DLP):
Twice in 1972 and 1973 as Footballer of the Year in Germany (remember Beckenbauer was at his prime in this period), He was well known for his long passes and superior ball skills. Netzer was the iconic playmaker and is considered one of the best midfielders of all time, gaining a lot of attention with his long passes and pushes from deep within his own half of the pitch. Apart from his superior ball skills, his natural authority made him the undisputed leader of his team.
Euro Form:
Winner Euro 1972

Bobby Charlton (AM/CF):
During the mid 1960's Bobby Charlton was one the best players in the world, if not THE best player in the world. Charlton initally played on the left-wing. It was much later that he was to move, first to inside forward and then into the deep-lying centre forward role, the equivalent of today's central attacking midfielder. Along with his attacking instincts and setting up player he possessed a ferocious shot on him which made him very effective in the support striker/ attacking midfielder role.
Vital Stat:
holds the record for highest number of international goals scored for England (49 goals in 106 matches).
Euro Form:
3rd place Euro 1968

Luigi Riva (LW):
best known as Gigi Riva or by his nickname Rombo di Tuono (Roar of Thunder), was considered one of the best forwards of his generation, Riva enjoyed a remarkable scoring record thanks to his composure in front of goal, fearsome left foot and aerial ability. Riva had a very powerful left foot and a very soft touch. Almost invincible during sprints, he mixed a great prowess at freekicks with an astonishing finishing skill.
Vital Stat:
Italy's top-goalscorer of all-time, with 35 goals in just 42 matches means that he had a fantastic goal to game ratio. Finishing abilities will be crucial in the tournament
Euro Form:
Winner Euro 1968

Angelo Domenghini (RW):
An exciting right-winger who scored his fair share of goals, Domenghini's most important strike for Italy came in the 81st minute of the 1968 UEFA European Championship final against Yugoslavia. He formed a great understanding with Luigi Riva at both club and international level.
Euro Form:
Winner Euro 1968

Horst Hrubesch (ST):
nicknamed Das Kopfball-Ungeheuer (the Header Beast) for his heading skills, Hrubesch was West Germany's match-winning hero in the UEFA Euro 1980 Final against Belgium, Hrubesch scored two goals in Rome, the second of them a trademark bullet header in the 89th minute. Hrubesch was known for his symbiotic relationship with fellow HSV and German player Manfred Kaltz, a right wingback whose crosses Hrubesch often headed into the goal.
Euro Form:
Winner Euro 1980

Gianni Rivera (CM/AM):
Rivera is considered as one of the greatest Italian footballers ever and as one of the greatest passers of all time. He was a creative midfielder with offensive ideas, often at odds with the proponents of the classic Italian defensive schemes. Rivera was known for his classy, elegant and aesthetic style of play, known for his impeccable dribbling and distribution.
Euro Form:
Winner Euro 1968

Yuri Zhirkov (LB/LW):
Zhirkov is a versatile left sided midfielder and played a pivotal role in Russia's Euro 2008 campaign where they reached the semi finals. His form in the Euro 2008 tournament meant he was named in the Euro 2008 tournament's dream team. A versatile Left Defender and Winger, he provides a good defensive option.
Euro Form:
Semi Finals Euro 2008

Dietmar Hamann (DM):
Throughout his playing career Hamann gained a reputation for being a highly consistent and reliable player. During the UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying, Hamann established himself as a key player for a transitional Germany side. Although he exited the 1st rounds in both Euro 2000 and 2004, he was a reliable defensive midfielder and provides a good backup DM option to the midfield maestros in the team.

Roberto Donadoni (RM/RW):
Mention the name of Donadoni and you would only remember the disastrous Euro 2008 campaign which he had for Italy. But, he was a brilliant right winger for the great AC Milan team of the late 1980's. He could dribble, cross, finish and made the right midfield role his own for both AC Milan and Italy. He is great option to have in the team to play the right side of midfield.
Euro Form:
Semi Finals Euro 1988

Robert Enke (GK):
Enke was an unused substitute during the Euro 2008 that saw Germany finish as runners-up. He makes this squad purely on an emotional level and as a reminder that footballers are legends but they are also human. They go through same anxious moments in life.
Like the line in the wonderfully written book by Ronald Reng "A Life Too Short":
"A mistake wasn't the whole game, A game was never the whole season, A season wasn't a career. A career isn't a life"
Something we all would do well to remember.
Euro Form:
Finalist Euro 2008, no matches started

The Last Valentine

The sun with its bright rays signals that a new day has begun,
A fresh start awaits, a new journey beckons.

Isn’t it the same as yesterday or the day before?
But, still we look forward for something new to be in store.

The air seems fresher today; I smell a new fragrance,
The flowers are blooming happily in this breeze; they show it with a nice dance.

Look at them; do they look worried about the uncertainties ahead?
They are looking forward to the new events and adventures instead.

We think ourselves as beings superior to these,
But, the thought of the unknown which lies ahead makes us freeze.

Our journey might have its ups and downs,
But, we’ll sit back to remember all the laughs and not the frowns.

Some things we’ll change, some we’ll let them be,
And of course there will be others where we’ll agree to disagree.

I hope it’s not as dramatic as the epic love stories,
But, together we’ll share a wonderful time you’ll see.

Soon I’ll be there, holding you close,
Till then on skype I can only give you a pose.

So, don’t worry about the future, live in the present,
Let’s get lost in these moments, which are making life so pleasant.

As I write my first to you, I picture your wide smile in my mind,
It won’t be the last, but you are truly my first and for sure my last Valentine.

Another 15th August... (From the Tricolour's view)

I wait for the day I can flutter like I did in 47,
When you banished your rulers and discovered yourself again

My mind goes out to the sacrifices made by young and old,
You remember them in memorials and books, but your hearts are so cold

Aren't you tired of faking that all is going well,
It pains me each time your dignity, you are ready to sell

You hide behind excuses of corruption and suffering,
Why don't you see it is all your own doing

My heart burns each time I see a division on caste, creed or language
Unity in Diversity seems like a load of garbage

You don't understand the what a wonderful gift you inherit,
'Tryst with Destiny' was a price paid by many, how easily you forget?

You can sit all night blaming people who take your decisions
Aren't you the one who put them in their position?

Yet you won't get up to fight the wrong you are bearing,
You turn your eyes away instead of caring

Wake up my beloved from your slumber of lies,
Unite my children, you're family cries

I will never stop hoping like I hoped then,
A better nation you can be, you must realize this within

I wait for the day I can flutter like I did in 47,
I wait for the time when you look at me and say 'Truly my India is on earth a Heaven'

Hey Mr.Nice Guy

Hey Mr.Nice Guy how's it going today?
Are the people still stepping on you as they walk on their way

Hey Mr.Nice guy why are you still silent?
When the people show you dreams and break them in an instant

Hey Mr.Nice Guy why do you lend a helping hand?
When there's no one ready to beside you stand

Hey Mr.Nice Guy why do you always smile?
I know you're been hiding things now for a while

Hey Mr.Nice Guy why don't you take the easy way out?
It's hard to do the right thing, you ought to know that now

Hey Mr.Nice Guy how long can you persist?
You have to breakdown, evil's temptations are too strong to resist

Hey Mr.Nice Guy what's the point in being you?
When you hear 'You're too nice', you know their scared of you

Hey Mr.Nice Guy, you have to stop sometime
Don't try to be the lone hero cos Nice guys finish last all the time
No one can match a nice guy so he's pushed to the last all the time

Nostalgia

It was a wonderful time and the memories are in the sack,
We may have come a long way now, but I'll give any anything to go back

Every picture comes to life when I try to remember the story,
Its like a movie in your head, one which is never boring

The journey started from hostel with CS and took us to the duplex which was shady,
Still the bedrooms were empty and everyone slept in front of the TV

Then the coming together living face to face,
Bearing each other idiosyncrasies, we never got phased

Some searched for love and journeyed city to city,
It was totally worth it for sure, but definitely there was pity

Then some moved abroad and others followed suit,
Some are still trying and some just ask for a bottle to loot

Some are now married, some with kids,
Some are still single and looking for the other bit

The bonding was great and some of the kicking made people cry,
The stories are now legends and the laughter brings tears by

It was a wonderful time and the memories are in the sack,
We may have come a long way now, but I'll give any anything to go back
We may have come a long way now, but I'll give any anything to go back

For once Team India did it for Sachin ...

Image Link: http://www.espncricinfo.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/131000/131020.jpg

... and not the other way round. It was a strange moment for someone who grew up in the 90's watching the Little Master win games single-handed, and when he didn't countless debates "Why did he hit that shot?", "For once he should stop playing for records", "It is Sachin's fault that we lost" In fact when he snicked it to Sangakarra I shuddered to think what would happen. Surely, not 2003 again.

Flashback to 2003: For all the master's work in taking India to the finals, it was he who was blamed for not getting the job done. How could he take it for so many years? How can he be so humble after endearing abuse from so many people, his own people. In fact, I sometimes thought he didn't deserve India. I think he must have cried that day, just as he had during his epic 136 against Pakistan at Chennai in '99 and countless other occasions. I know I did.

Apr 2nd, 2011: Something brilliant is happening. Gambhir and Kohli are taking the fight to Srilanka. As Kohli cut Dilshan to the boundary, I thought to myself just maybe this is the day. Next ball, Dilshan takes blinder of a catch. Oops, I jinxed it. Step up the leader of the next generation or should I say the face of new India calm, composed as if this was just another cricket match. That six of Kulasekara will be played back and again many a time in the future. As he hit it, surely you heard billions of Indians across the globe celebrating. Oh well, they were just my speakers on high volume in the quiet city of Richmond. But, the feeling was so overwhelming. Yuvi and Dhoni celebrating on the pitch. Gary Kirsten (you beauty) pumping his fists, 4 years of hard work paying off. Then you see a small jubiliant man ... no wait ... a 37 year old kid rushing towards the scene. Mahi! he hugs, Yuvi! who hides him in an enormous bear hug. 20 years carrying the burden of the team on his shoulders, hiding tears from the press conferences. No more he says! I'm crying tears of joy. Definitely true, I know because I did too.

The dawn of a new future, a new India. A team which does not need Sachin to win them matches. A team in Sachin can just entertain and trust that his teammates have the "bottle" to finish the game off. All his 20 years of toil, hardwork, determination rewarded by 14 other men who watched him and idolised him growing up. Is there anything more he could ask for?

Just another face in the crowd

Just another face in the crowd both she and I,
Yet, we smiled at each other one wonders why.

She was quite different, the way she looked,
But I got a clue the moment she spoke.

I thought maybe this was fate's little game,
To set me up with a beautiful dame.

We spoke for a while about home and life,
About what we wish for and our strife.

We exchanged our numbers and then we said good bye,
I wonder if I should have waited, instead of letting her slip by.

Now we're just another face in the crowd, both she and I,
I dropped a message to her and I don't know if she will reply.

Looking for Eric - a true fan movie

*SPOILER ALERT: TOOK THE LIBERTY OF INCLUDING DIALOGUES SINCE MOST OF YOU WOULDN'T WATCH IT :)*





There were two reasons for going to lengths at searching the download for this movie and watching it.
- First, it featured one of my heroes Cantona
- Second, it was about a football fanatic. Something I strongly relate to

The beauty of this movie is not so much as potraying Cantona as a superstar. (which it does in one of its dialogues:
Eric Bishop: It's sometimes hard to imagine that you are still a man
Eric Cantona: I am not a man ..... I AM CANTONA)
But, more so about trying to understand how the common man tries to get through his daily problems and difficulties by trying to emulate the people he admires/ worships. How a simple moment of brilliance or magic can take your breath away and make you forget your problems atleast for sometime.
(Again potrayed beautifully where Bishop is trying to understand what it Cantona's most sweetest moment.
EB: Remember Sunderland, Ah that was a beauty Magnifique
It was like a ballet, a dance. Kept me going for months that goal.
It sort of fills you up so much that you just forget the rest of the shit in your life. Just for a few hours)
This is true for any kind of fan:
A movie fan who thrills in the masterpieces the director provides,
A book you may have liked and can keep reading it more than once.

Yet, the movie also potrays how hard our superstars have to work to keep their fans happy, to drive themselves forward they strive for that something special which will keep them in the fan's hearts
(EB: Must have been amazing though.
60,000 people watching ya. Cheering. Chanting your name
EC: Scary? yeah!
EB: You? Scared?!
EC: Scared it might stop
I loved to surprise the crowd.
Every time in every game, I tried to offer them a gift.
.
.
Further discussion on which was Cantona's sweetest moments, EB keeps listing the goals and finally says:
EB: Alright sweetest moment ever?
EC: It wasn't a goal
EB: It has to be a goal.
EC: It was a pass.
EB: Ah god! To Irwin against Spurs.
EC: *Describes the pass leading to the goal* He took it in his stride and my heart soared
EB: A gift?!
EC: Yeah! Like an offering to the great god of football.
)

It's a true fan movie which completely captures the emotions of the fans for whom football isn't just a game. It's a religion. For whom going to a game means saving a week's wages sometime. For someone like me it's a dream to go there. Like a pilgrimage.

Definitely a must watch for a Man United fan. I would still go far as to say keeping your loyalties aside and watching it as a neutral will give you some joy.

The most defining dialouge of the movie is realated to Bishop's own personal problems, but is summed up by Cantona:
The sweetest vengeance is to forgive

I'll leave you guys with one of the few Cantona songs in the movie:
What a friend we have in Jesus,
He's our saviour from afar,
What a friend we have in Jesus,
And his name is Cantonaa!!

OOH AAH! CANTONA!!

"The Lost" Diaries - 1

When I flew out of India for the first time in my life on 4th Aug 2010 lot of my assumptions were thrown out of the window.
Firstly, nowhere in the world is my name pronounced correctly.
Secondly, whoever said Americans do not spit on the road did not have the privelege to witness what i did this evening.
Russel Peters was telling the truth about Italians using sign language for WTF :D (I had an Italian for company from Munich to Newark ... friendly guy named David)
The smallest size of coffee/tea is not our good old "cutting chai" back home.
It's hot in the East Coast at this time of the year!!

As soon as I landed at my final destination at Richmond apart from being tired (damn the 35-40 hours connecting flights) I was taught a good lesson immediately. A security guy asked me if I needed help which I politely refused. But, he kept insisting, so I was like ok. When he loaded the bags in the taxi he was there standing, I was like uh oh! what have I done! Thanks to Strabucks (where BTW the smallest cup of coffee you get is called "Tall") I had change to give him 5 bucks.
So, lesson number 1: "Nothing is free in life. Even if you didn't ask for it in the first place."

Cab ride was good. Afe (the driver) was scared of lightnings and well you guessed it ... when I landed there was a thunderstorm. He kept telling me he was scared and kept praying to Jesus. Well, I just flew through those storms ... Imagine if Afe was in the plane!!

Work is challenging and good here, luckily the CRM team folks are awesome and helpful. I can only say there's never a dull moment here. *Grinning*

Adjusting to life in Pardes. It's very expensive here(who said you could save here) and no local transport .... believe me Pune public transport is much much better. So, that means I gotta get a license here and quick. Hope that goes well. Bought a new camera so till the enthu is there I'll be clicking snaps here and posting on facebook.
That's pretty much it for this time .... Got an offshore call in an hour now :D

Take care and be safe
Marwin

THE DILEMMA OF THE ‘YOUTH’ POLICY

Evans passes to Anderson, who jinks past his man passes it to Welbeck, Welbeck to Anderson who plays a lovely ball to Macheda and its in!!! 1-0 Manchester United.

Well, this is a fantasy for some United fans like me. Watching a player progress through the ranks is different feeling, a different connection. You start learning about a prospect when he is in the U-18’s and as he progresses so do you! As Sir Alex says, “The crowd take to the younger lads more than a player ‘bought’.” But, at a club like Manchester United the pressure to win is so high, that you expect big player signings and one feels without them the club isn’t moving forward. Last season was one such season where after we sold a key player everyone expected some big money signings. But, who did we get a winger from Wigan who can’t play on the left, a crocked player from France who wasn’t fit to play in the first two months and a 29 year old PAST-HIS-PRIME Michael Owen. It raised doubts through the media and most United fans.

While our signings turned out to be more than decent, the younger ones too stepped up to make a mark. Ok, it was only Johnny Evans and Nani who made a mark, but that’s two young players getting through into the squad. Anderson showed flashes of brilliance here and there, but hasn’t delivered yet in a big game. But, he was injured in the latter part and really with Carrick out of form the chance was ideal for him to perform. I think (or rather hope) next season will be the breakthrough season for Ando, just as this was for both Evans and Nani. Rafael can show he can do the job but he’s immature (advantage taken by Ribery), hope he learns from that. Fabio is out only because Evra had an immaculate season with over 50 starts. Gibson has a shot on him, but can he really keep the ball and pass well? that’s left to be seen.

We have been blessed to have younger talented understudies in most of our first team positions. Probably that’s how we’ve differed from other teams like say Arsenal, who are supposed to be the promoters of the ‘Go Young’ policy. But, then again they haven’t been able to hold on to their good players like Flamini, Hleb, which meant young players are immediately thrust into the spotlight. Not every young player makes it right away on the big stage, mental strength plays a big part there. For us, Ronaldo has been one of the few established stars who have left the club in their prime, last being David Beckham of course. Thankfully, with the squad that we have it meant youngsters could be blooded in gradually. Youngsters need to be treated with care and also need to be educated to keep a level head. Who better than Giggsy, Scholesy, Neville or even Rooney then to set look upto? Also, before the Carling Cup semis we saw youngsters given more chances they showed their worth totally.

Of course, at a certain point age youngsters demand more playing time, I’m sure people remember Guiseppe Rossi. But, the case was different then, Rossi had just returned from loan and we got Carlos Tevez. Sir Alex knew better than to let Rossi rot in the reserves and we lost on a bundle of talent who I believe will become a great player for Italy if given the chance. Hopefully, next season with just one world class creative midfielder signing we will the same young players getting more chances.

Some of the youngsters have done well on loan. Tom Cleverly was Watford’s player of the year and he could actually replace Gibson in the squad. Craig Cathcart and Fabian Brandy did well too. Our Reserves won the league title and we also clinched the U-18 North title for the first time. So, it was a good domestic season for the youngsters. At the international level, the U-17 European Championships have 4 of our young players doing really well. Paul Pogba has been man of the tournament for France and the U-18’s, while the English team which reached the final has 3 United representatives. So, definitely there is hope.

But, patience is going to be the key if we are to see a new generation of United superstars coming through the ranks. Even out of a group of 20 if we see 5, 4 or even 1 make it really big the satisfaction will always be there that he was always ‘OUR’ player, just like Giggs, Scholes and the others. Well, I’ll leave you here, it seems Macheda just scored after a neat moving involving Welbeck and Anderson in Football Manager 2010 that is.

MI v RCB ..... FROM THE STANDS

I always wondered what's so special about watching a game from the stands. I mean television gives you everything stats, replays, commentary etc... What more could any cricket lover ask for? Everything is at your fingertips.
Now, after going for a game I realize all these things don't matter at all. The noise you make, the shots you see first hand, the effort you put in trying to pick up the ball when Dale Steyn bowls it .... and of course the cheer leaders if they are right in front of your stand. As a biased MI supporter Brabourne was the place to be last night, unbelievable atmosphere. From the time you watched JP Duminy, Ryan Mclaren, Fernando practising .... to the time when the crowd roared when the MASTER came in .... and all this before the first ball was even bowled.
I was lucky to witness Sachin and Kallis batting, both are truly great players. While other players HIT the ball, these guys were CARESSING it. As if to say 'Cricket! simple game, ain't it?'
Now I know why crowds all over the world is disappointed to see Sachin out. Every ball he struck was magic. You just wished for more and more. If he hit the ball for four then a player was moved to that spot. Next ball, same shot .... but the ball has gone to the fielder's original spot, Amazing!!!
I didn't witness Sachin's straight drive, but then I saw Kallis. The speed at which the ball leaves the bat is unbelievable. People beside were saying 'I can't spot the ball'. While I'm saying follow the ball from the bat else you've missed the magic.
We got to see some other magical things too like Uthappa's six out of the ground, Tare's square cut was a rocket to the boundary, Sachin's 3 flicks of his hip ... but these are not the things that stick in my mind. Things which I still vividly recollect are:
1. Dale Steyn is fast .... As much as I tried I could track the path of the ball when it left his hand. (And I was having a side view) I could track Malinga, Zaheer, Kallis but not Steyn. That was a sight which you don't get on the TV
2. Dravid's one hand stunner .... I was lucky that both the great catches (Dravid's and Malinga's) were at my end. When the ball left Sathish's bat we all thought ok, one run. But Dravid is scrambling ... surely this 30+ oldie won't make it .. Morgan will back it up ... He's streching but naah .... Oh my God! What a stunner!!!! I can't explain this fully to be honest.
3. Waiting for the 3rd umpire's decision is an experience for the crowd ... You don't have the replay, you only wait ... and wait ... and wait ... And when the opposition player is out the stadium erupts!! And what a throw!!
4. The dives they put at backward point are not easy .... The ball is actually too fast, you have a split second to make that dive. That's why Jonty was special. I wonder how it would be to watch him from the stands.
Finally, I have to mention the cheer leaders. They were stunning to say the least. After the fall of every MI wicket, we would put our heads down. But, these were RCB cheerleaders they would come on .... and well life would be beautiful again. But honestly, Sachin's wicket was the most depressing moment. Even when Pollard hit a six later, you just said, 'Hmm good ... But nah! Sachin for a second time please!!!'
Last night's excitement is wearing off slowly, but I'll never forget it. Surely this won't be the last time I go to watch a match, another T20 maybe 50 over would be too exhausting. But, I pray to go to Old Trafford now :) Well one can't stop dreaming about it now, can they? Especially if there's a will to chase it ;)

NOT MEANT TO BE

Entering the room seemed such an idle thought,
It was the last thing to do and I wanted out

But, there you stood attentive and calm,
My eyes would have popped out, if not for my palm,

If I was Da Vinci with a blindfold,
Yours would be the picture to unfold

We met, we spoke only for a while,
I can't recollect anything, but your cute smile

Your innocence so bliss, and thoughts so clear,
You were just perfect and at the thought I feared

I wouldn't want to stain you or bring you sadness,
which is why i must walk away and not subject to madness

We couldn't be more different, the world wouldn't want us to be,
So, I try and capture all the memories of you and me

I ain't worthy of someone so pure,
You'll be infected by my touch for sure

So, I'll just watch out for you and cherish the time you were here,
'Cos the world wouldn't want us to be together my dear,
Yes, the world wouldn't want us to be together my dear

A DREAMER

I dream every night like no one other,
Some give me smile few give me bother.

In my dream world I am fairly content,
Here people have palaces built inside a tent.

I would work anytime and sleep just about anytime ,
I would earn just enough to keep my dears happy all the time.

I would walk up to girl I like the most,
And ask her out without being told to be lost.

My friends would be around playing their parts,
In singing the song with all their hearts.

I dream not to be famous or a celebrity,
But the small things which make me happy.

Yet there is one thing I wish for the most,
That one day my reality would become a dream of course.

The light which was blown

A light has gone from my life I don't know why,
The tears fill my eyes but I cannot cry

The trees, the fields, all seemed so beautiful,
Why do they look at me with eyes so pitiful?

The road on which I walk seems lonely now,
The hand which held me has disappeared donno how?

My god has torn my heart,
And now there remains an empty space which is difficult to part

Why did it have to happen now?
Couldn't this test be delayed somehow?

All things have to be as you wish,
but God give me the strength to take in a loss as big as this

Cos a light has gone from my life I don't know why,
The tears fill my eyes but I cannot cry

The end of the tunnel

An abyss has been created in my heart tonight,
The light at the end of the tunnel seems just a spot of white.

The walk towards it seems ever so long,
My lonely mind calms itself by singing a song.

For a while I felt another shadow was keeping me company,
It turns out it was a mirage in the dark, what an irony

I don't know whether I should follow,
Cos I fear I'll get blinded by the darkness so hollow

I wish things were ever so clear and not so cloudy,
That life would for once would take pity on my heart so empty

I try to walk away from every voice of reason,
I'm scared that it would contain an act of treason

So, here I am waiting for the inevitable,
Hoping that I stumble across something incredible

My chance will come, the sands in my hourglass are emptying fast
To see the light at the end of the tunnel, I hope I last!

THE OLD LADY

The gate opened with the same old creak,
The air is filled with the voices of walls that speak

The room is arranged and the way it always was,
Nice, quiet and cozy, her scent fills the empty space

I take my seat where I always did, watching over the bed,
I'm trying to recollect the jokes that made her laugh from toe to head

The innocent look, the fresh old smile,
Her soda glasses and that simple hairstyle

Watching all these I fall off to sleep,
Her lap is comforting as always as I wander in my dreams

The cold air of change wakes me up and I'm back to reality,
I find myself alone in the room, now dark and empty

She has gone away to a place far, far away,
But, here in my heart she always stays

I'm sure she's fighting with the Almighty for a similar place,
Where she'll wait for me with her lap ready to comfort my face

P.S.: Dedicated to Grandma, May her soul rest in peace

EUTHANSIA: PAINLESS DEATH? OR ASSISTED SUICIDE?

Job 1:21: “The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD”
We’ve heard this often in movies, haven’t we? The evil mad scientist peers over his creation who dared to go against him, gives out a wicked laughter and then shouts out, “I GIVETH AND I TAKETH AWAY”. Since, good always prevails over us the hero fights back, wins. The hero is happy (usually with his girl), we are happy and well life is beautiful again.
Speaking about giving and taking, I was always told as a kid that this life is gift from our dear god. So, we must make the most of it. Well, of course the main motive of this was to throw away any crazy ideas of suicide I may be having due to study pressure, peer pressure and the various other pressures. In fact, I have always believed that this life which we are living is a loan from our father to do something good and that we must try to make the most of it. Of course, this meant the first time I read about euthanasia I was totally distressed and confused.
Euthanasia by definition means “ending of a life in a painless manner.” Painless or not, but whatever happened to the value of life. When god created us he called it good and if our father thought we are good, well must have meant something. A life is too valuable to be ended by mutual consent. Fair enough, a patient is bed ridden, in a coma, paralyzed, but is this good enough reason for us to end his life. Which brings me to a few questions that may arise in the minds of most common youth today: Do we have a right to decide how long another person lives, a person who cannot talk, move? If say, we did have the permission of the concerned person to end his life, is it not the same as suicide?
One reason given to me was donation of organs for saving a life. But, to think about it, how right is it to take a life to save another? The following fictional discussion arose in my head when I heard about this:
Mike: Hey Allen, my uncle’s liver just failed yesterday. Do you mind if could use your father’s. He is as it is bed-ridden and in coma right?
Allen: Sorry man, the liver’s booked already. You could have the kidneys though; the doctors said they were in top condition.
Well, although science is advanced enough to replace one human’s organs with another’s, but look at the percentage of successful transplants and I think we’ll get another story.
Another line of thinking was since the person was of no “USE” we might as well help someone who was of some “USE”. This took me back to my grandma who was bed ridden and on medicines. A dedicated person was required to bathe her, clean her, and feed her. She needed her daily dose of insulin (diabetes) and oxygen pump session (asthma) I tried to find the difference between her and a person in coma and well to be honest I couldn’t find any. So, since she wasn’t of any “USE” should we have disconnected her?
A very important issue, which according to me is the only reason people opt for euthanasia is MONEY. All the organs usability and not putting the patient through the pain is make up over the real face. To some extent, it’s true that when one is spending money on a coma patient, paralytic patient you don’t know when it will end. In fact, you might in the end be spending in vain. But, then again of what use is the money if you wouldn’t use it to save your loved one. Use it for charity?! Use to help the poor?! These are some of the defences I got. The only question I ask is can’t you get a charitable institute to fund a life, if you aren’t in a position to do so?
So, the question I put forward is this: Is taking a life justifiable to save another? Is taking a life justifiable because the person is useless to you? If a person is asking you to kill him to relieve him of the pain, is it equivalent to sponsoring suicide? Is MONEY a good enough reason to warrant a painless murder? There would obviously be a difference of opinion, we are a democracy. So, could we face god after taking a life, just because it was in your hands? I know, I wouldn’t be able to!

The end don't matter ....

You feel the darkness all around,
You're lost in life's merry-go-round.

You don't know where to go or what to do,
You trust in your hope but that's slipping too.

You feel you are lonely walking the path untold,
Maybe its because you're eyes are closed.

Look around there's so much to cheer about,
You're not the only in this fight against self doubt.

Remember you're brethren who stand on the border,
They also have fear yet stand to keep the order.

Remember your mother whom you rarely in the morning greet,
So much sacrifices she made to make you stand on your two feet

Have you ever thought of the people who yearn for a home?
Even some of the dead do not have a tomb.

Yet you feel you are unhappy in life,
You fool its only because you worry about your own strife.

Fight on, if not for others then, to earn the respect of your own,
Make some meaning of this life gifted to you by a power which is alone

Don't whine but work hard for your own self not for showing the crowd!
Cos the end result don't matter if you can make God himself to be proud

The other shadow ...

I've set off on life's walk not knowing where to go,
So far so good but its just me and my shadow

Along this path I meet many faces old and new,
but when in need there will only be a few

Some are family most are friends,
but people for whom even my life i'll end

These are the people I sometimes miss talking to,
But I'm still waiting for her who will miss me too

Maybe she'll come someday to ease my mind,
And we'll be off on a walk with our troubles behind

But now I've set off on life's walk not knowing where it goes,
Someday she'll come and so there will be two shadows

I DREAM ....

I dream every night like no one other,
Some give me a smile few give me bother.

In my dream world I am fairly content,
Here people have palaces built inside a tent.

I would work as I like and sleep any time,
I would earn enough just to keep my dears happy all the time.

I would walk upto the girl I like the most,
And ask her out without being asked to be lost.

My friends would be around playing their part,
in singing THE song with all their heart.

I dream not to be famous nor a celebrity,
But for the small things which make me happy.

Yet there is one thing I wish for the most,
That my dreams become a reality of course