Sachin Tendulkar

Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, who sets the cricket field on fire with his bat, now wishes to light up the skies by flying a Sukhoi-30MKI, the most lethal fighter jet in the Indian Air Force. 

Sachin Tendulkar has 48 Test Cricket centuries under his belt and has stated that he has no plans to retire from International Cricket in the near future. 

Replying to a question about the fighter plane he wishes to fly, the batting legend said: “I want to fly a Sukhoi-30MKI.” 

Everyone on earth is a Sachin fan and welcoming Tendulkar into the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Naik said: “I have been Sachin’s fan since he started playing. It is a momentous occasion for the IAF that he has joined the ranks as Group Captain.” 

Giving reasons for awarding an honorary rank to Sachin, the IAF chief mentioned his qualities like tremendous exceptional service to the nation, professional excellence, single-minded devotion to duty, dedication and perseverance, courage in adversity, loyalty to friends, humility and upholding the Indian family values. 

Regarding his impeccable integrity I quote this – ‘”Sachin cannot cheat. He is to cricket what (Mahatma) Gandhiji was to politics. It’s clear discrimination.” – NKP Salve, former Union Minister when Sachin was accused of ball tempering. 

He further said that all of these qualities in Sachin are required in the air force also to serve the nation and to make the IAF as one of the most professional air forces of the world. 

“So dream…because dreams do come true,” said Sachin Tendulkar as he was formally inducted as an Honorary Group Captain of the Indian Air Force. 

Sachin said that after watching Tom Cruise in Top Gun as a teenager, he took to wearing aviator sunglasses. “I was fond of fighter planes, super bikes. But I had the privilege of getting into a fighter plane in 1996 in South Africa…I have never revealed this before but I was really scared.” 

The Air Force has conferred the honorary rank on Sachin in recognition of his achievements as an Indian and a cricketer. In June, a formal statement from Rashtrapati Bhawan said, “as the supreme commander of the armed forces of India”, President Pratibha Patil had decided to include Sachin “under the provision of grant of honorary rank by armed forces to eminent personalities acknowledging their contribution towards the nation.” 

Tendulkar will function like a brand ambassador, and is expected to inspire many young men and women to join the air force.  He is the first sportsperson to be conferred a rank by IAF and the first personality with no aviation background to receive the honour. 

Members of media present asked Sachin  questions about match fixing revolving around the Pakistan cricketers. Maintaining his cool by the number of match fixing questions coming his way, the world’s leading run maker only stated that he would rather keep himself busy scoring runs, which was his business, rather than worry what was happening around. 

He did earlier mention that he felt that those who were found guilty should be punished after the ICC conducted a proper investigation. He also claimed that he had no knowledge about Indian players being approached by bookies to fix matches during his twenty-one year career. 

When asked if the young cricketers were susceptible to such situations because of the lure of money, Sachin stated rather frankly that when he wanted to play cricket, he did not come into the sport thinking he had to make money. And he claims even today, he does not feel he can sleep peacefully at night if he made more money and less runs. 

In 2008, the Indian Army awarded former cricketer Kapil Dev, India’s World Cup winning Captain an honorary Lt. Colonel in its Territorial Wing.

Ravi Matah

The news is absolutely shocking for the fans of Cricket. Why, such a thing happened, was the question in everyone’s mind. Is it endless greed for money at this age? These things were unheard of, a predetermined no-ball in between a devastating spell during the 4^th Test, which the Lords has ever witnessed. Shocking, is the word and rape of Cricket would be no exaggeration either. 

News of the World, revealed in a sting operation with an alleged British fixer Mazhar Majeed, that they paid him 150,000 pounds for spot-fixing, which the Pakistan  government does not accept. It has re-iterated its stand that the players are innocent and there is a political motivation behind this scandal even though the charges of corruption against members of their cricket team have become a national embarrassment. 

Three no-balls were sent down deliberately on pre-deterrmined orders, one from Mohammad Asif and two from Mohammad Amir. And that too has happened in the Mecca of cricket? The evidence is clear as the no-balls were huge, with the forward-foot at least one foot ahead of the popping crease. 

Mohd. Asif is no stranger to controversy. He was held at Dubai airport when he was caught in possession of objectionable white-powder in his pocket. 

Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Rehman Malik, said the government will take strong action against the cricketers found involved in spot-fixing. The interior minister expressed his disappointment over the incident but cautioned that “it would not be appropriate to propagate against the Pakistani team unless everything is probed” and added that this incident was politically motivated. 

Scotland Yard has already met with four Pakistani cricketers, including Butt, on Saturday night at their London hotel as a consequence of these revelations. The expose also showed Majeed passing a jacket with 10,000 pounds in it to two Pakistani cricketers. 

The evidence provided by that sting operation is now being examined by the UK police. Media reports suggest that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has been watching for months some of the Pakistani cricketers who feature in the current controversy. The Anti-Corruption Unit of the ICC will share this report with the Pakistani team of investigators deputed to England.  Part of the report allegedly focuses on Pakistan’s tour to Australia in January – the Sydney Test saw a surprise defeat for Pakistan after a series of dropped catches. 

Also, Salman Butt was doing a good job as Pakistan Captain and his name being linked to such a huge controversy is shocking. However, Akmal will be scanned right and proper as his four dropped catches in Sydney are reverberating again. 

What is the solution left with the ICC? If they cancel the ODIs, England Board for Cricket is set to lose Pounds 20 million in TV revenue in broadcast rights alone and if it pressurises Pakistan further than necessary, they upset the balance of power of Cricket in Asia as India would have stronger control over Cricket. And this time around, ICC have to take a deterrent action to serve as a lesson for others. 

Senior players for England have expressed their reluctance to continue with the series – they want Butt as well as Mohammed Asif and Mohammed Aamir to be dropped by Pakistan. Why do Pakistan players always do something or the other to bring disrepute to their country, spoil the name of cricket and annoy their fans? The attack on Sri Lankan players outside the Gaddaffi stadium has totally damaged the reputation of Pakistan as a safe cricket playing venue in the world. 

The ball now seems to be firmly in the ICC’s court to ensure a speedy end to this controversy. There is considerable pressure on the ICC to exhibit a “zero-tolerance approach” while dealing with the Pakistani players involved in the match-fixing row and has the powers to impose a life ban on these cricketers, if found guilty. 

This controversy has destroyed the basic fabric of Pakistan’s cricketing credibility. Whatever be the outcome of the ICC investigation report, the Pakistan Cricket has been tainted forever and will remain so in the eyes of the cricketing world. Firstly, they can’t play international Cricket in their own country as no other team is willing to go and play in Pakistan and, secondly, if they are invited to another country, this is what they do. 

Pakistan has two Twenty20 games in Cardiff followed by five one-day internationals against England. 

England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke said that he was looking forward to an extremely competitive series, full of excellent Cricket. Does he have an option?

Ravi Matah.

Kumar Sangakara

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat.  They made full use of the track and Tilakratne Dilshan slammed a chanceless century to maintain the hold of Sri Lanka on the match.

Though embroiled in the no-ball controversy in depriving Sehwag of a century in the previous encounter with India, he had saved his best performance for the last.

He was ably supported by Mahila Jayawardne who rotated the strike very well. These two batsmen posted an opening wicket partnership of 121 runs. This was Dilshan’s third century against India.

Munaf Patel and Praveen Kumar bowled their heart out and could extract some swing out of  their bowling. The major blunt of Sri Lanka’s score was borne by Ishant Sharma and Ashish Nehra. Boundaries were plundered off both these bowlers.

After 4 overs they were 47 for no loss. None of the Indian bowlers could make any dent in the Lankan’s batting and they cruised comfortably.Sri Lanka  were 52 after the first 10 overs and raced to 74 for no loss as Dilshan punished a clue-less Ishant Sharma all along.

Dilshan later neatly compiled his eighth ODI century to provide the much needed impetus to the Lankan innings who capitalised on some wayward bowling by the Indians and put up a decent score.

Dhoni was frustrated with India’s bowling performance and despite rotating them; he could not check the flow of runs.

Jayawardane got out after making a very useful 39 which was studded with 5 boundaries. Dilshan went on to score 110 which were punctuated with 7 boundaries and a six. He was caught a long leg boundary while trying to hit one over the top.

Other major contributor for Sri Lanka was Sangakara who scored 71 runs with the help of 7 boundaries and a six.   During the period he was at the crease Lanka had lost Jayawardhane and Tharanga.This left India with a tough task of allmost 6 runs an over.

Munaf Patel got 2 wickets for 43 runs.

Indian bowling was mediocre today and totally bereft of the usual sting. They were hammered all over the ground effortlessly by the Lankan batsmen. Sri Lanka ultimately managed to post a score of 299 for the loss of 8 wickets in the prescribed 50 overs.

In reply to Sri Lanka’s huge total, India started off well but with the departure of Sehwag, India’s hopes of winning the final were dashed and it appeared that game was almost over. Sehwag hit six scintillating boundaries, was given not out on a plumb lbw and was run out the next ball when Chamara Kapugadera hit the stumps while Sehwag attempted to steal a single.

Earlier Dinesh Kartik was given out caught off the thigh pad. If a few umpiring decisions go either, then they upset the rhythm of the team.

Virat Kohli played a sensible knock for his 37 runs  and had kept India’s  hopes alive. He managed to find the gaps in the field and hit   boundaries. Then Yuvraj joined him and he too survived when he was caught of a no-ball in the slip cordon.

But wickets kept falling at regular intervals and India were in deep trouble. Ultimately it was M.S.Dhoni who played a Captain’s knock of 67 runs ably supported by Raina, but it was too little, too late.

Raina scored 29 runs and was going good until he tried to hit another one out of the ground and was out caught at mid-on boundary.

Kohli was caught off a thick edge at third man boundary. India’s middle order has continuously failed and that has been the main concern for India. Kartick and Yuvraj have been a failure on this tour and Raina did not play to his full potential.

India were all out for 225 runs and lost to Sri Lanka by 74 runs.

Some of the players in the Indian side have outlived their utility basing on  their poor form. This team cannot be expected to do justice in the forthcoming Champions Trophy scheduled to be held from September 10th in South Africa. Even though Sachin Tendulkar will be in the team, Robbbin Utthappa should also be given a chance now.

PRESENTATIONS

Man of the Match -                           US $1500  and Micromax Phone    Tilakratne Dilshan

Onida Rocking Performer               Onida TV                                     Kumar Sangakara

Royal Stag Player of the Match     US $ 1500                                   Tilakratne Dilshan

Yamaha Stylish Player                     Yamaha Motor Cycle               Kumar Sangakara

Royal Stag Man of Series              US $ 2500  and Trophy            Virendra Sehwag

Admirable Player of the Series     Fiat Sienna Car                            Virendra Sehwag

Winnning Team Cup                           US $ 5000 and Micromax Cup       Kumar Sangakara

Ravi Matah

No, I did not ask Octopus Paul, but they have the capacity to do it even though India’s batsmen, apart from M S.Dhoni and Virender Sehwag, have so far failed in their performance in this tournament.

As of now Dinesh Kartik, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma can be said to be the failures of this tournament as they do not have any worthwhile contribution in the matches which have been played so far. Yuvraj Singh’s performance is also under the scanner, even though he had scored a paltry 38 in the match against Sri Lanka.

They are, however getting lot of support and encouragement from their seniors.

So far it has been Virendra Sehwag who has been providing the fireworks on which team India has won two of the league matches. But the law of averages will catch on these players also and they are likely to perform on Saturday in the final.

Batsmen have the habit of needlessly fishing outside the off stump and getting out, being caught in the slip cordon. They have to be very careful in their shot selection and they must realise that losing wickets in the first 10 to 12 overs slows down the scoring rate and becomes difficult for the later batsmen to accelerate it.

In fact, to get a good total at the end of the 50th over, India should target the first 100 runs within the first 15 overs and take due benefit of the field placements during the first two power-plays.

If they play confidently and see off the first 10-15 overs, it becomes easier for the players to bat freely and also gives added confidence to those who come in later. It deserves mention here that the Kokaburra ball also gets a bit palpable and can be hit around with ease.

In the matches played so far, India have managed approximately 50 runs in the first 15 overs and given away 3 to 5 wickets in the bargain, which will not serve the purppose in  tomorrow’s final with Sri Lanka. As it is, Yuvraj Singh has still not found his rhythm and his performance, is also a concern for Gary Kirsten. 

Even though Dhoni has said that he is not overly concerned about his teams batting but they have actually scored 103 and 83 runs in the previous two encounters which is not, by any standards, a winning total.

This could well be the last chance for Kohli and Rohit to press for a permanent place in the side, as senior batsmen including Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir could return to the one-day team for the home series against Australia in October.

Hopefully, the first six batsmen have to put up a good show and pile up 270 to 280 runs, if they win the toss, which also will be a crucial factor tomorrow.

Ravi Matah.

Virendra Sehwag

After the loss of four quick wickets, M.S.Dhoni gave Sehwag  the required support by rotating the strike and played the sheet anchor role at the other end, while Sehwag plundered his century. Dhoni and Sehwag put on a 107 runs partnership. Once Sehwag was out, the Indian tail was wiped out quickly by the New Zealand bowlers.

 Sehwag  also managed to hit his 1000th ‘four’ in ODI cricket. New Zealand bowlers bowled very well and took the wicket of Dinesh Kartik with India at no score and Virat Kohli also gave the faintest of nick to the wicket-keeper. Both these batsmen were caught fishing outside the off stump. 

Even though the New Zealand bowlers had managed to capture 4 quick wickets by sheer bounce and quick bowling, it was Sehwag alone duly supported by Dhoni, who gave India a fighting score. 

Out of form Yuvraj skied a shot off Andy Mckay and was back in the pavilion after scoring 6 runs. Raina was the next to be caught and the Indian ship was in deep waters. 

Dhoni played a vey cautious knock and gave ample opportunity to Sehwag to plunder boundaries at the other end, while he himself remained satisfied with ones and twos. In the end tthe score-card  revealed that Sehwag scored more runs than the entire New Zealand team and this match could aptly be described as Sehwag versus New Zealand. 

After Sehwag’s departure Dhoni tried to hold the reigns of the team but he too was caught off McCullum and then the Indian tail was easy pick for the Kiwis. 

For the New Zealanders Southee took 4 wickets for 49 runs and  McCullum got 3 for 35. 

For India, Praveen Kumar bowled extremely well picking up 3  for 34  runs. He has the ability to move the ball both ways with the same arm action and that’s where he is very deceptive. Praveen Kumar made best use of the pitch and trapped Martin Guptill leg before in first over. Ashish Nehra too bowled extremely well and sent down a few in-swingers which troubled the batsmen and got   wickets. Then Ross Taylor gave an outside edge to Dhoni who did the rest and that was Praveen’s second wicket. 

Thereafter it appeared that the New Zealanders went into a shell and forgot about the run chase as Scott Syrus edged one in-swinger on to his stumps. Elliot was also content with stopping the ball with the bat and kept on blocking rather than hitting for scoring runs.

Ishant Sharma clean bowled Williamson and later Munaf Patel got two wickets. The only noteworthy batting display  was of Kyle Mills, who slammed a half-century playing in a T20 style, hitting boundaries at will. 

India won the match by 105 runs and meet Sri Lanka in the finals.

Ravi Matah.

They were expecting a salary of approximately 80,001 per month, which is at least Re. 1/- more than that of a bureaucrat. Simultaneously, the Government has also doubled their perks, but the parliamentarians stalled the proceedings of the Lok Sabha, creating difficulties for the Speaker Meira Kumar to maintain calm in the House. 

The news is, that this hike is being reconsidered and might go up further. 

Salary 

An MP at present gets Rs 16,000 a month as salary; the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry suggested raising it to Rs 50,000 as against the Rs 80,001 recommended by a parliamentary panel. 

The government on Friday cleared a 300 per cent salary hike from Rs 16,000 to Rs 50,000 for MPs and doubled their perks. 

The Union Cabinet in its meeting here okayed the Bill seeking three-fold raise in the basic salary of MPs. But it is less than the Rs 80,001 as recommended by a parliamentary committee, which had said MPs should get at least a rupee more than top bureaucrats.  

The government also increased office expenses of parliamentarians from Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000 per month. The constituency allowance has also been doubled from Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000 per month, government sources said. 

The limit for interest-free loan for MPs for buying a personal vehicle has been hiked fourfold to Rs 4 lakh from the present Rs 1 lakh. 

The government has also hiked road mileage rate for vehicles used by MPs from Rs 13 per km to Rs 16 per km. Spouse of a parliamentarian can now travel any number of times in first class or executive class, the sources said. 

An MP also gets a daily allowance of Rs 1,000 for each day when Parliament is in session or taking part in House Committee meetings. This has also been doubled. 

Besides, a member is entitled to a constituency allowance of Rs 20,000 a month and an office expense allowance of Rs 20,000 each month. These perks have also been doubled. 

Their conveyance allowance has gone from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 4 lakh. Spouses of MPs are entitled to free train travel from their place of residence to Delhi. They also get up to eight free plane tickets from their place of residence to Delhi. 

The national carrier Air India and Indian Airlines are bleeding losses and free Airfares  to the tune of 36 Business class flights to MPs have been approved. 

The Bill seeking amendments to the Salaries and Allowances of Members of Parliament Act, 1954, will be now tabled in Parliament to be passed by both Houses before the hike is actually implemented. 

Is such an enormous hike in their salaries justified? We are just looking at the quantam of salary and if the perks are also taken in to account then the real  effect of increase is Rs. 60 lakhs. They are entitled to free elecricity, free telephone, free bungalow in Lutyen’s Delhi, Interest free Car loan upto Rs. 4 lakh and still they are cribbing. 

Would you like to compare their salaries with others? An Army Officer or a jawan, a civilian employee in the Goverment sector, get around 30.000 and Rs. 10,000 respectively and are entitled to pension after 40 years of service. Have we got different rules for different people? 

Income Tax 

Are our MPs under paid or poor? Out of 543 MPs, 315 are Crorepatis and still they are fighting for a raise. Surprising? 

And is this salary and perks taxable? God only knows. But a meagre sum of Rs. 20/- per month payable to Central government employees as re-imbursement of tuition fees is taxable. 

Pension. 

Pension benefits have also been increased from Rs 8,000 to Rs 20,000 per month. A point worth mentioning here is that MPs will be entitled for pension after rendering 5 years of service to the nation. The sixth Central Pay Commission recommended that all employees should be granted Pension on completion of 20 years of service. Good.

Another recommendation was that those employees who retire having completed a qualified service between 16 to 20 years, may be given proportionate Pension. This was not agreed to by the Government.

 Payment of proportionate pension to an employee  who has served more than 16 years was NOT agreed and payment of pension after 5 years to MPs is agreed? 

Can the Ministry of Public Grievances and Pension look into this also? Now is the time. 

Not only this, the case for grant of One rank – One Pension to the retirees of the Armed Forces is gathering dust with the Ministry for the last many years.

The best thing that happened on that day was that the Congress as well as the opposition was united on an issue for the first time, which was never seen before.

Ravi Matah.

MS Dhoni lost the toss again, but Kumar Sangakkara’s decision to bat first gave India the chance to bowl under the overcast weather at Dambulla and their bowlers cashed in with their swing on a wicket which had bounce also. Sehwag then manage to save his skin during the early Lankan attack and later slammed which would have been a classic century, but for the controversial six, which sealed victory.

Virendra Sehwag

The start of the game was no less dramatic as the end.  Praveen Kumar rattled the timber of Upul Tharanga with an out swinger off the first ball off the day. Sri Lanka found it difficult to adjust to the attack of Praveen as well as Ishant Sharma under cloudy skies and the batsmen struggled against the swing and deviation off the pitch and the  batsmen found it difficult to negotiate the swing in the damp weather at Dambulla.

Mahela Jayawardene had a brief stay at the crease and was trapped leg before by a Praveen in-swinger that moved back in late. Samaraweera and Sangakara also looked good in patches but went wayward in their application to the task.

Extra pace accounted for Sangakkara who was caught in the deep. Damaraweera was caught at short midwicket off a mis-timed pull.

Tillakaratne Dilshan was not comfortable at the crease, but countered the swing better than the rest, whipping Praveen’s in swingers through square leg and then latching on anything short, scoring three boundaries off the pull.

Dilshan settled in and was playing conveniently until the left-arm spin of Pragyan Ojha was introduced, making room to cut from the stumps and maintain a steady flow of runs with Angelo Mathews. But Dilshan succumbed to temptation when the ball was tossed up, and top-edged a slog-sweep to scupper a recovery he had initiated.

Pragyan Ojha took 3  Lankan wickets for 36 runs.

Dinesh Karthik could not negotiate the Lankan attack with ease and fell of a delivery which he slashed to third man.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, followed in quick succession and were seen with their heads down in the balcony.

Sehwag’s recovery effort was supported by Suresh Raina in a half-century stand. Raina rotated the strike well, and gave Sehwag the strike, before a rush of blood drove him to pull straight to deep square leg with the score on 91. Then Raina was at 20 and the shot had gained more height than the distance required.

With the scores levelled at  170 and requiring just one run to win, Sehwag stepped out and launched a six over long-off boundry. Without realising that, Sehwag raised his arms in the air in celebration only to be told that the score board would show him not out at 99.

With Sehwag batting on 99 and India requiring only one run to win, Randiv overstepped by a massive margin, depriving Sehwag of a century even though he was thumped over the long-off boundary.

This was a shocking display of unsportsmanship by Sri Lanka spinner Suraj Randiv, who bowled a deliberate no-ball to leave Virender Sehwag stranded on 99.

The scores were tied at 170 and Sehwag was just one short of his 13th Century in ODI’s, when Randiv, who has not bowled a no ball in the Test or ODI series this season, bowled a no ball which was hit by the swashbuckling opener for a six. The six however did not count because the no ball amounted to India’s winning run.

What Suraj Randiv has done is unpardonable even if he apologises a 1000 times because that moment cannot be brought back and he has brought tremendous shame to the gentleman’s game. Sangakara has the reputation of being considered as the best ‘gentleman’ in the game of cricket the world over, and if such a ‘cheap’ incident occurs on the field in his presence, then he also has to take some responsibility, as he is the Captain of Sri Lanka.

This controversy should be addressed in a positive manner as Sehwag had hit a six and the runs should be added in his account and the run for the no-ball to be added to the grand total. And what would have happened if Sehwag would have been run-out on that very ball? Would the rules grant victory to India in the scenario?

India comprehensively won the match comfortably by six wickets but the conduct of the Sri Lankan team caused upset in the Indian camp.

Later, Sehwag told journalists that they had left Sachin Tendulkar stranded at 99 with similar tactics in Cuttack. Sehwag said that Randiv had not bowled a single no ball earlier and asked “How can he bowl one at this point.”

“It was clear that the Lankan team did not want him to get his 100,” the opener said.

Ravi Matah

Stevan Slater, the flight attendant who has become media sensation, was released on $2,500 bail on Monday night. He told reporters he was surprised by all the attention his story had generated.

Steven Slater

Agreed, after take-off, your first requirement is to get a drink and nibble. It’s the duty of the steward or the stewardess to serve you because you have paid for it in the ticket, but you have no right whatsoever, to be rude to them.

There he comes, pulling the trolley, with bottles, snacks, disposable glasses and paper napkins, smiling and asking every passenger ‘what would you like to drink Sir/Madam’? He puts a napkin on the make-shift dining table and then puts the disposable glasses and plastic cutlery on it along with the drink of your choice.

After about 20 minutes the trolley is pulled in again,  bringing dinner for you. Half and hour later they come to pick up the ‘crockery’ and the left-overs.

Anytime you press the bell, the light goes ‘on’ above your seat, and pronto, the attendant is there with his/her smile. Every time they have to walk the aisle from the kitchen to the passenger and God knows how many aisle-miles they have to walk during the time of their total service. And still they offer service with a smile.

I remember, on a KLM Dutch airline flight from Delhi-Frankfurt, I wanted another ‘phial’ of red wine, and could not get it even asking the stewardess twice for it.

Not that I crave for red wine, but on that day I liked to have another one, so what do I do, shout for it, create a racket or break an egg on her head? No, they are also humans.

Don’t they get tired or frustrated? Do spare a thought for the thousands who are serving people with a smile?  From the outside their job looks glamorous, high-heeled, perfumed and mascara et el, but from within it is anything but rosy.

Throughout their life, they stay away from their families, away from their loved ones, and serve absolute strangers everyday. Most of the time they are on long-haul flights of 14 to 15 hours duration and they are able to meet their kith and kins once a fortnight.

They leave important work behind, like nursing their ailing parents, and serve strangers.  Hundreds of times it has been reported that brutes have misbehaved with the air-hostesses. The Airlines should also address the problems faced by the attendants in dealing with some of the passengers, rather than shoving their grievances under the carpet.

On Jet Blue Flight 1052  from Pittsburgh to New York, Slater had asked a passenger to sit after she got up to retrieve her luggage and she defied him. When he asked again, he was hit by her with the piece of luggage she held in her hand. Slater demanded an apology, which was not forthcoming, and after addressing the passenger on the public address system, he glided down, with two beers in his hand and went home.

For how long can they stand this torture? There is always a breaking point, and when it came, Slater took the gliding path down to the tarmac. And allow me to add that world-wide the low cost airlines pay very less, which also adds to the frustration.

“It’s been very, very appreciated,” Slater told ABC News station WABC-TV. “It seems like something here has resonated with a few people.”

“Every flight attendant has had this frustration and has had the desire to do something like that that you would lose your job,” he told ABC News. “I think everyone has fantasized about that. The public can be challenging.”

Slater told reporters he is looking forward to “a little beach time, enjoying the rest of the summer.

Your comments on this issue are welcome.

Ravi Matah.

It’s a matter of national honor and pride that we are hosting the Commonwealth Games. Going by the media reports the Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games 2010 has left a blot on the India’s image and a lot will have to be done to save the face of the nation. The allegations of misuse of funds granted for the conduct of these Games speak volumes of the inept handling of the whole affair.

This has even angered Queen Elizabeth, the Queen of England who is furious over allegations of corruption involving a UK based firm in the baton relay of the Commonwealth games launched in London last year.

An equipment which you can buy out rightly for under Rs. Four lakhs is being hired for Rs.Ten lakhs for a mere 45 days? Yes, I am talking about the treadmill suppliers who are being paid only Rs. One lakh for 45 days rent of the equipment and being billed by over a 1000%. A taxi which was available for £ 250 a day in London was being hired for £ 450 a day?

The games organizing committee had paid £ 450,000 for services in London, without proper paper work.

Do we need politicians to run sports events? We have sportspersons of international repute who can do much better job. They are fully aware of the problems they have faced in a life-time of sports activities and how to avoid them.

And I want to mention the exorbitant cost at which toilet paper has been procured, wow, is this some special paper for special bottoms, exclusively for the games village?

Then there have been delays in the preparations of stadium for the Commonwealth games. The Minister of Sports for India, M.S.Gill says that “all the stadiums will be ready in two months time, God is with us”.

He goes on to add that ‘the stadiums are not leaking’. Wow, stadiums are not leaking, good, but is this the yardstick to measure the preparation of an event of such a magnitude? Yes agreed, God is with everybody but one has to exert extra effort to ensure that the schedule is not delayed.

As regards preparedness, the sports minister was unwilling to accept that the situation was as dire as it was being made out to be. “Most of the venues have already hosted test events without glitches. I have had a look at the stadiums, they are ready. Just the finishing work remains to be done,” Mr Gill said.

We have come a long way in these sixty years, earned respect world-wide, survived the worst recession which plagued the world, and now the Government should clean this rot and remove the blot.

Not a word has been said by any authority about the preparations for the opening and closing ceremonies. Will the Organising Committee be able to put up a show as good as the World Cup recently held in South Africa because those memories are fresh in the minds of the people world over?

And regarding the removal of Suresh Kalmadi as the Chairman of the Organising Committee, the Government says that he will continue in the present position. He in turn has sacked three of his ‘trusted’ aides as a face saver.

However, sources reveal that allegations of corruption on Kalmadi or his aides would be dealt with and he would be asked to explain everything, but only after the Games are over, and that’s better for the games.

This is a very serious and shameful manner in which all these things have been handled. It is only after the exposure by an investigative TV journalist that every incident has been brought to the fore.

But now they have overdone it and should stop right here. Let us first accomplish the task at hand without further blemish, and let the accountability factor be looked into thereafter.

And once all the toilet papers are utilised, then perhaps the centuries old ‘lota kharkega’.

Ravi Matah.

Resuming the chase from Friday’s 53 for three, India lost Ishant Sharma for 4 runs in the morning.

Requiring 257 runs to win, the final day belonged exclusively to VVS Luxman who posted 103* scintillating runs off 149 deliveries to ensure victory for India about ten minutes before tea.

VVS Luxman

Sachin Tendulkar 54 and Suresh Raina 41*  played a sheet anchor role in ably supporting Luxman, who batted like a cool lion despite his back pain.

Tendulkar was dismissed caught by Prasanna Jayawardane off Randeev for 54 which came off 122 balls and included three fours.

Suresh Raina batted magnificently with a 45-ball 41, which included four boundaries and a six. This 23-year-old left-hander has created a problem for the selection committee by performing much better than the out of form Yuvraj Singh.

Luxman is a very cool customer and there are no crackers when his goes on the pitch to bat and smoothly comes out after hitting a century. The difficult chase was made easy by Luxman’s temperament.

He got most of his runs in the square leg and fine-leg boundaries areas and pulled Malinga’s short balls with perfect copy book fashion, keeping the ball down on each occassion. His flicks and delectable leg glances were a treat to watch. India inched closer to victory and Luxman to his century, which he got through a leg glance.

The 35-year-old’s body started troubling him after he reached 60 due to a lower back problem, which required the physio’s assistance. But he continued with Virender Sehwag as his runner.

Tendulkar and Laxman then took on the responsibility. Tendulkar reached his 55th Test half century, for which he did not celebrate much but the Indian dressing room was up in applause for his match-winning contribution.

Sachin Tendulkar

If Randeev bowled very well, picking up 4 wickets for 80 runs, it was Sachin’s genius wherein he closed the face of the bat and used his favourite shot – the paddle sweep – to perfection, though he later succumbed to the sweep shot caught by wicket-keeper when the ball spun and kissed his gloves.

By that time Sachin had given adequate suppoort to Luxman and pushed him towards the goal. Luxman took control of the reigns of India today and ensured victory without further loss.

Sachin Tendulkar too showed that he is still hungry for runs and VVS Laxman, put on that special display just when the team needed it the most.

Raina stepped out and hit Chanaka Welegedara for a six giving victory to India at P Sara Oval Stadium triggering scenes of celebration in the Indian dressing room.

It is India’s fourth-highest successful chase in Tests and they have silenced their critics on the team selection, especially the bowling attack. Pragyaan Pjha and Amit Mishra have proved without an iota of doubt that they can deliver in trying circumstances also. The Indian pace attack needs to be rejuvenated.

For team India,  Suresh Raina and Virendra Sehwag deserve special mention as they were in tremendous form all through the series.

Ravi Matah.