Who is Anna Hazare? What is Lokpal Bill?

Very few social activists have captured the attention of Indians across the globe as Anna Hazare did during his "fast unto death" over the issue of the Lokpal Bill in New Delhi in April 2011. 

Hazare, a Gandhian by belief, outlook and practice, has become the face of India's fight against corruption. During his fast over the Lokpal Bill, Hazare, a quintessential traditional Indian by looks and mannerism, managed to inspire and mobilize the support of even the ultra-modern Indians - Indians for whom the word "social" only means having a profile on social networking sites. 

The "Anna Hazare fast" can be described as the first real "social networking movement" in India. Hazare, a former Army man, began his social activism from Ralegan Siddhi, a village in Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra, where he successfully led a movement against alcoholism and made Ralegan Siddhi a "model village". From a soldier to a social reformer, and a right to information crusader, Anna Hazare's journey of four decades has been unprecedented in terms of a non-violent yet effective campaign of resurrecting a barren village into an 'ideal village' model and empowering the faceless citizen through pioneering work on Right to Information.

Lokpal Bill:

The Lokpal is a body with a chairperson who is or was a Chief Justice of India and eight other members. The Lokpal Bill, an effort to rein in the pervasive corruption in public life, was first floated in the late 60s, but failed to become law despite successive attempts. 

Implementation of the Lokpal bill will hopefully reduce corruption in India. The basic idea of the Lokpal is borrowed from the office of the ombudsman in other countries. It provides for filing complaints of corruption against ministers and members of parliament with the ombudsman. 

The government's Lokpal Bill has kept the Prime Minister and the judiciary as well as conduct of MPs in Parliament out of the ambit of the anti-corruption watchdog. The PM, however, will come under the purview of Lokpal after he demits office. The bill gives permission to Lokpal to probe any Union minister or officials of Group 'A' and above rank without any sanction. 

According to the government's draft, the body will have a chairperson and eight members, including four judicial members - who will be former or sitting judges of Supreme Court or chief justices of the high court. The Lok Ayuktas in the states does not come under the purview of this bill as the Centre cannot intervene in the powers of the state. The Lokpal will have its own prosecution and investigation wing with officers and staff necessary to carry out its functions.

Battle of words between Nasser Hussain and Ravi Shastri !!!

The controversial Decision Review System (DRS) was at the crux of a verbal joust between commentators Ravi Shastri and Nasser Hussain while on the air during Day 3 of the ongoing Trent Bridge Test between England and India. 

Earlier, in a column for a leading local newspaper, Hussain had stated that it was a 'disgrace' that the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) had refused to accept the use of lbw reviews, adding that a holistic implementation of the DRS should be made mandatory by the International Cricket Council (ICC) , instead of leaving the choice to individual boards.

The BCCI is reluctant to call the Hawk-Eye into play for adjudging leg-befores as it feels that the technology is not foolproof yet. But the issue came to the fore on Day 2 when Harbhajan Singh was given out lbw off Stuart Broad's bowling when replays showed a clear inside edge onto his pads.

Reacting to Hussain's salvo, Shastri slammed him indirectly on a pre-play show for insinuating that the ICC was pandering to the whims and fancies of the BCCI and that India's tremendous stature in the game had spawned jealously in the rest of the cricketing fraternity. "They (England) are jealous about the way the IPL is going, jealous that India is No.1 in world cricket, jealous about the fact that India are world champions. They are jealous because of the too much money being made by BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India). Bottom-line is that they have never been No. 1 in the world in Test cricket."

Then on Day 3 while the two were sharing the microphone in the commentary box, Hussain picked a bone with Shastri. "Ravi, I just want to pick you up on something you said on a show yesterday, questioning my right to call non-use of DRS a disgrace. Well, I have earned that right after 96 Test matches to voice my opinion on the game of cricket. It is my job and my right to voice my opinion," the former England captain said."You also said that there was a jealousy factor about India going to be No.1. No one is more proud than me about India at top," Hussain added.

Shastri however, stuck to his guns. "You said, disgrace India not taking it. India has got every right to decide whether to take it or not. India decided not to take it because they don't think it is foolproof. Technology is improving all the time and after seeing the way Hot-Spot has behaved, Hot-Spot has become cold spot. I think India has got every right to believe and do what they did. England were the last to adopt the DRS and now they vouch by it. India tested it three years back and they had a problem with it in the series against Sri Lanka. Yes, Harbhajan's dismissal was a howler and it should not have happened."

How will India do against the Brits?...India Vs England - The History !!!

When England and India start their four-match series next week, the clash between two of the leading sides in Test cricket is eagerly anticipated. A genuinely appealing contest is ahead of us, and not one artificially pumped up by media hype, which surrounds even the most mundane of tours there days. It appears that fate has come down ever so slightly in England's favour. The first two venues in this series, Lord's and Trent Bridge, are known to favour swing bowling. England's ability to swing both the new and old ball is a big reason behind their recent rise up the rankings. In addition, India are missing their greatest counterattacking weapon.

There's no batsman in the world who can disrupt bowling plans quicker than Virender Sehwag, and he'll be missing for at least the first two Tests. India could dispute that reasoning by saying that they played without Sehwag the last time as well, in 2007, and won at Trent Bridge to clinch the series. Also Sachin Tendulkar enters the 1st Test at Lord's with a highest score of just 37 at the ground.

As Indian sides always will, those of 1936 and 1952 contained some fine natural cricketers. For no obvious reason their best batsmen in those days seemed more likely to be tall and wristy and elegant, like Mushtaq Ali and Rusi Modi, than small and wristy and insatiable, like Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar. John Woodcock on India's 1936 and 1952 tours of England - "The team was featuring an incompetent prince-captain and a colossal allrounder in Lala Amarnath".

A cricket relationship that was one-way traffic, in England's favour, for most of the 20th century has now turned towards India. Though lacking the edge of their rivalries with Australia and Pakistan, these two countries share emotional and historic ties that predate the 79 years they've been playing Tests and the recent rise of both teams has seen them more evenly matched than ever before. Since 2007 they've played for the Pataudi Trophy - named for Nawab Iftikhar Ali Khan, who played for both teams - which India have won twice on the trot and now travel to England to defend.

----- Courtesy CRICINFO

World Cup Glory !!! ... One for team INDIA ... One for the Master SACHIN...

Twenty-eight years on from the match that transformed the history of world cricket, India recaptured the crown that Kapil Dev and his men first lifted at Lord's in 1983, and this time they did so in their very own back yard. An iron-willed 97 from Gautam Gambhir was matched for intensity by the finest captain's innings since Ricky Ponting in Johannesburg eight years ago, as MS Dhoni trumped a poetic century from Mahela Jayawardena to pull off the highest run-chase ever achieved in a World Cup final.

Against a triumphant backdrop at the Wankhede Stadium, victory was sealed by six wickets with 10 balls to spare, as Dhoni - who had promoted himself to No. 5 to heap extra lashings of responsibility onto his own shoulders - rushed through the gears as the victory target drew nearer. With 15 required from 17 balls, he flicked Sri Lanka's only true threat, Lasith Malinga, through midwicket for consecutive boundaries, before smoking Nuwan Kulasekara over long-on to finish on 91 not out from 79 balls, and spark the most delirious scenes of celebration ever seen on the subcontinent.

But run by run, over by over, minute by minute, India picked themselves up, dusted themselves down, and turned the screw on Sri Lanka with a determination that a lesser group of men could not have begun to muster, amid the sure knowledge that several billion countrymen were investing all their hopes in their actions. And though he himself played just a walk-on part in the wider drama, it was Tendulkar who was chaired from the field as the celebrations began in earnest. "He's carried the burden of our nation for 21 years," said the youngster Kohli. "It was time to carry him on our shoulders today."

Can INDIA emerge as a Heart Fav for World Cup 2011..Perhaps YES !!!

Despite of having a dismal start in the one-day series against South Africa, there are no doubts that team India will emerge as a favourite for the world cup cricket which is to start from 19^th of next month. While playing in the conditions which are most suitable to it in the world, the 15-man squad of India which is to be announced on Monday, January 17, will surely be good enough to be put across any other team.

Though, the team India has always relied upon its batting strength while facing the rivalling teams, the pitches at sub-continent would also provide it with a bowling edge this time. On the pitches where the ball hardly ever bounces above the waist line, having a combination of Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan and Virat Kohli will definitely benefit the Indian side which is also one of the hosting nations besides Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

While cricket analysts are saying that India did not have any proper fast bowlers which could give tough time to the opponents into the event, they tend to forget the fact that fast bowlers like Steyn from South Africa have always proved to be too costly on the Indian pitches. Having leg side rule rather stringent accompanied with a limited number of short balls available to them, these bowlers would most probably have a cut out role on the sub-continent wickets.

Expectedly, pitches during the world cup would be low and slow. This is a fact which points out that teams from sub-continent, particularly India and Sri Lanka will have better chances of bagging the event. 

The only issue Indian team may have to face is that they all have not played together for long. There have been injuries, rotations and other issues with the players which kept them from displaying consistency. However, considering the leadership abilities of the skipper MS Dhoni, this may no longer remain a big issue for the favorite host squad.

Rickshawala lives by Gandhi’s principles !!!!!!!!!!!!

Udhaybhai Jadav, from Ahmedabad, is a Gandhian on wheels. He provides books, music and food to customers, and lets them pay what they deem fit.He can be, without doubt, termed Gujarat’s best ambassador of tourism. Donning a Gandhi topi, a khadi kurta and carrying the Mahatma’s message: Be the change... on his auto-rickshaw, Udhaysinh Ramlal Jadav believes in the principle of  ‘atithi devo bhav’ and goes that extra mile to treat his customers as God.

Udaybhai was like any other rickshaw driver for 10 years. Until three months ago when his life changed. On his regular trips to the Gandhi Ashram, he saw volunteers of Manav Sadhna rendering selfless service to the needy. Inspired by their endeavour, he decided to follow the principles of the Father of the Nation in word and deed.

To make the journey of his customers comfortable, Amdavad no Rickshawalo, as he likes to call himself, has provided for a mini library in the auto, with books on heritage, on tourist places of visit in the city, pilgrimage sites in the state, besides English and Gujarati newspapers. 

The inside of the auto has traditional Kalamkari prints all over. An MP3 player will provide you with a choice of songs to listen to and there’s a small fan for the summer months. If you are hungry, there are two boxes containing snacks and drinking water. A dustbin to throw the remains has also been provided in the auto. If the journey at night is long, he has installed a portable light for your reading pleasure.

The exterior of the auto also attracts attention. On the front is painted, ‘Love all’, while the mudguard displays the religious symbols of Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Christian communities, which Udhaybhai says “is to convey the message that everyone is equal”. On the side he has hung a board that says in Hindi and English, “Namaste and welcome to Ahmedabad. I am Udhay and at your service. I will take you on a journey of Ahmedabad’s streets and across its bustling bridges to experience Gandhi’s legacy and architectural masterpieces...” The message ends with his mobile number and website name: movedbylove.org.

'The only challenge he has is to beat himself'

"For him, a Test match begins two days earlier, preparing for it. He wants to face the maximum number of balls at the nets. You will not see him play a loose shot at the nets." Gary Kirsten, India's coach, praises Tendulkar's work ethic.

"The only challenge he has is to beat himself every time he walks out there because he has done almost everything."

There's little left for Tendulkar to achieve, says Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara.

"I try to watch the matches in which he is playing because I have not seen anyone gifted with such natural technical batting excellence, which he has combined with his hard work and commitment. He is indeed a phenomena and a role model for every young batsman." Hanif Mohammad, the former Pakistan batsman, admires Tendulkar's perseverance.

"I've never imagined that someone can go this level and play for more than 20 years. It's an incredible feat." Graeme Pollock is impressed by Tendulkar's longevity.

"If I'm a cricketer, it's because of Sachin Tendulkar. Else, I would have never picked up a bat. He's the reason behind me playing cricket." Virender Sehwag gives us another reason to be thankful for Tendulkar.

Can't believe a city with 10 million people has such talent !!!

Serbia held a dramatic victory. They

 make new history by winning the Davis Cup for the first time by beating the French team 3-2 in the final on Sunday (5 / 12). 

Once behind 1-2 in the second day, Serbia won two crucial points through three world ranked players, Novak Djokovic and ranking of 30, Victor Troicki. 

Troicki who replaced Janko Tipsarevic to capture a points victory after beating Michael Llodra 6-2 6-2 6-3. While earlier equalized by Djokovic who beat Gael Monfils 6-2 6-2 6-4.

"This is the most important moment in my life," said Troicki. 

"This is history. This is our biggest success as an individual, team and country," said Djokovic.

Full results of Davis Cup final: (

France 2 Serbia 3)

Sunday:

Novak Djokovic (SRB) bt Gael Monfils (FRA) 6-2, 6-2, 6-4

Viktor Troicki(SRB) bt Michael Llodra (FRA) 6-2, 6-2, 6-3

Saturday:

Arnaud Clement / Michael Llodra (FRA) 

bt Nenad Zimonjic / Viktor Troicki (SRB)       

3-6, 6-7 (3 / 7), 6-4, 7-5, 6-4

Friday:

Gael Monfils (FRA) bt Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) 6-1, 7-6 (7 / 4), 6-0

Novak Djokovic (SRB) bt Gilles Simon (FRA) 6-3, 6-1, 7-5

Just a thought - Is ODI Cricket format gonna die soon ??????

The immense popularity of the Twenty20 cricket has started having its effect on the traditional form of One-Day Internationals. Cricket fans, particularly from New Zealand and Australia, are showing a keen interest in the Twenty20 format of the game. They prefer this form for its crispier nature and find it more captivating than the fifty over game.

Australia, which is the second most prominent nation to play the game of Cricket, is planning to give up the original fifty over game on the domestic level and experiment with a new forty-over format comprising of two Innings. This action comes after England’s decision to discard the fifty over county cricket in support of the new forty-over games. Post IPL, India too is crazy about the T20 format. Thus, the fifty over format is almost heading towards extinction on the domestic level in these three most important cricket countries. 

The former New Zealand cricketer Martin Crowe senses that with Australia opting for the new 40-over format, the tradition One Day format is heading towards a decline. Thus, it will not be a product of fantasy to assume that the World Cup 2011 will be last one to be played under the conventional fifty-over set-up. The World Cup 2015 that will be hosted by Australia and New Zealand is expected to mark a new beginning. 

IPL has changed the way Cricket is viewed in modern era !!!!!

Beginning of IPL:  

To begin off, the IPL is now firmly established on both the Indian and the world cricket scenario. The entire procedure including auctions, glamor, film stars, hype and media fervor adds to the excitement and charm and it feels like watching cricket in a bullfight arena.

              The Indian Premiere League is a decidedly different experience than the kind of cricket we used to see in our childhood, with the lone batsman playing ball after ball, refusing to give ground or leave the wicket. I remember how frustrated the entire crowd used to get at those snail pacers who were only after creating personal records at the cost of team victory.

One-Day Cricket Saves the Day but Still Insufficient for Today's Pace:

It of-course started with Australian millionaire Kerry Packer's concept of bringing cricket to the arena of professional sports from the arena of amateurs. However, Kerry Packer's initial proposals met with contempt from those opposed to change, people who did not ignore reality found a middle-way and One Day Cricket was born. It became an instant hit. The frenzy and popularity made it clear to sports organizers that sports lovers and cricket fans loved it. One-Day Cricket, being of limited duration brought all the energy and capital together in a short and brilliant spurt. It opened the new age of cricket. The T20 came as a logical step to take cricket into the fully professional squad.

IPL Is the Best Bet to Save Indian Cricket:

I think the Indian Premiere League is an excellent concept because professional management, big industry investment and involvement, and high fees of players negate the possibilities of match fixing. Simple cricket fans like us can watch honest games, and relax knowing market dynamics is creating the best possible fun combination on the cricket fields.

               However, it remains that the IPL having gained fame will become the target of those trying to make a quick buck. I have seen several websites on the Internet, which seem to be entirely dedicated to the Indian Premiere League, and also trying to sell dubious merchandise for cricket fans at unreasonable prices.

                   If we feel that IPL is good for Indian Cricket, and the Indian Premiere League 2010 needs our support to pull through the blames of discrimination cast upon it, it is also our duty to avoid spurious businesses that try to cash in on the popularity of IPL.

UGADI-An Auspicious Festival Of Spring In South India

UGADI is a combination of two words-Yuga(era) and Aadi(beginning) according to the ancient language of Sanskrit and Kannada languages. It simply means beginning of an era or a new year. 

According to the great Indian mathematician, Bhaskaracharya's calculations in the 12 ^th century, it is the first day of the new moon after the Sun crosses from South to North on Spring Equinox. It marks the end of all things old,and new beginnings are looked forward to. Ugadi festival heralds both Spring and Hindu New Year.

Ugadi is celebrated with great fervour in the Deccan region of India. In the states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh,it is called Ugadi and in Maharashtra it is called Gudi Padwa. Ugadi day is therefore celebrated the next morning with the beginning of the sunrise which marks the beginning of the new year. The onset of spring also brings new leaves,shoots,fragrant and bright flowers,luscious fruits thus signifying new life. Growth, wellbeing and prosperity are signified by the vibrancy of new blossoms all round.

Holi - The Festival of Colors !!!!!!

Significance of Holi:

In spite of being such a colourful and gay festival, there are various aspects of Holi which makes it so significant for our lives. Though they might not be so apparent but a closer look and a little thought will reveal the significance of Holi in more ways than meets the eyes. Ranging from socio-cultural, religious to biological there is every reason why we must heartily enjoy the festival and cherish the reasons for its celebrations. 

So when, its time for Holi, please don't hold yourself back and enjoy the festival to the hilt by participating with full enthusiasm in every small tradition related to the festival. 

Mythological Significance:

Holi gets us close to our religion and our mythology as it is essentially the celebration of various legends associated with the festival. Foremost is the legend of Prahlad and Hiranyakshyap. The legend says there once lived a devil and powerful king, Hiranyakshyap who considered himself a god and wanted everybody to worship him. To his great ire, his son, Prahlad began to worship, Lord Vishnu. To get rid of his son, Hiranyakshyap asked his sister, Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap, as she had a boon to enter fire unscathed. Legend has it that Prahlad was saved for his extreme devotion for the lord while Holika paid a price for her sinister desire. The tradition of burning Holika or the 'Holika dahan' comes mainly from this legend. 

Holi also celebrates the legend of Radha and Krishna which describes the extreme delight, Krishna took in applying colour on Radha and other gopis. This prank of Krishna later, became a trend and a part of the Holi festivities. Mythology also states that Holi is the celebration of death of Ogress Pootana who tried to kill infant, Krishna by feeding poisonous milk to it.

Another legend of Holi which is extremely popular in Southern India is that of Lord Shiva and Kaamadeva. According to the legend, people in south celebrate the sacrifice of Lord of Passion Kaamadeva who risked his life to revoke Lord Shiva from meditation and save the world.

Also, popular is the legend of Ogress Dhundhi who used to trouble children in the kingdom of Raghu and was ultimately chased away by the pranks of the children on the day of Holi. Showing their belief in the legend, children till date play pranks and hurl abuses at the time of Holika Dahan. 

Cultural Significance:

Celebration of the various legends associated with Holi reassure the people of the power of the truth as the moral of all these legends is the ultimate victory of good over evil. The legend of Hiranyakashyap and Prahlad also points to the fact that extreme devotion to god pays as god always takes his true devotee in his shelter. 

All these legends help the people to follow a good conduct in their lives and believe in the virtue of being truthful. This is extremely important in the modern day society when so many people resort to evil practices for small gains and torture one who is honest. Holi helps the people to believe in the virtue of being truthful and honest and also to fight away the evil.

Besides, holi is celebrated at a time of the year when the fields are in full bloom and people are expecting a good harvest. This gives a people a good reason to rejoice, make merry and submerge themselves in the spirit of Holi.

Social Significance:

Holi helps to bring the society together and strengthen the secular fabric of our country. For, the festival is celebrated by non-Hindus also as everybody like to be a part of such a colouful and joyous festival. 

Also, the tradition of the Holi is that even the enemies turn friends on Holi and forget any feeling of hardship that may be present. Besides, on this day people do not differentiate between the rich and poor and everybody celebrate the festival together with a spirit of bonhomie and brotherhood.

In the evening people visit friends and relatives and exchange gifts, sweets and greetings. This helps in revatalising relationships and strengthening emotional bonds between people.

CONGRATS FOR A SUPERB 200 .... A DOUBLE DHAMAKA !!!!

Sachin Tendulkar smashed a world-record 200 not out as India pounded South Africa by 153 runs in the second one-day international on Wednesday to take a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

The veteran opener, the world's first batsman to hammer a double-century in one-day internationals, cracked 25 fours and three sixes in his rapid-fire 147-ball knock for his 46th three-figure score as India posted 3-401 in the day-night match.

The 36-year-old, who holds world marks for most runs and centuries in both Tests and one-day cricket, reached the milestone in the last over when he took a single off paceman Charl Langeveldt.

Tendulkar went for shots early in the innings, racing to his half-century off just 37 balls with nine fours. He took 53 more deliveries to reach his hundred. The master batsman went on the rampage after completing his hundred as he needed just 57 more balls to reach the double-century.

Tendulkar had begun with boundaries on either side of the wicket off Wayne Parnell and then played an array of cuts, pulls and drives.

Memorably, in the first over of the batting PowerPlay, and the 35th overall, Dale Steyn bowled a full, quick delivery outside off stump; Tendulkar simply walked across his stumps and flicked him through a narrow gap at midwicket. Steyn could only watch the ball speed away and shrug his shoulders.

Tendulkar has scored more runs than anyone in history in both one-day internationals and Test matches. He was briefly dropped by India in 2007 but has since regained his position as the subcontinent's most worshipped cricketer.

MAHA SHIVARATHRI (Great Night of Lord Shiva) !!!

Maha Shivaratri is celebrated throughout the country; it is particularly popular in Uttar Pradesh. Maha Shivratri falls on the 14th day of the dark half of 'Margasirsa' (February-March). The name means "the night of Shiva". The ceremonies take place chiefly at night. This is a festival observed in honour of Lord Shiva and it is believed that on this day Lord Shiva was married to Parvati.

    On this festival people worship 'Shiva - the Destroyer'. This night marks the night when Lord Shiva danced the 'Tandav'. In Andhra Pradesh, pilgrims throng the Sri Kalahasteshwara Temple at Kalahasti and the Bharamarambha Malikarjunaswamy Temple at Srisailam.

About The Lord Shiva - 

    The word meaning auspicious - is one of the Hindu Trinity, comprising of Lord Brahma, the creator, Lord Vishnu, the preserver and Lord Shiva or Mahesh, the Destroyer and Re-Producer of life. Shiva is known by many names like "Shankar", "Mahesh", "Bholenath", "Neelakanth", "Shambhu Kailasheshwar", "Umanath", "Nataraj" and others.

    For few people, Shiva is "Paramatman", "Brahman", the Absolute, but many more prefer to see Shiva as a personal God given to compassion for his worshippers, and the dispenser of both spiritual and material blessings. Related to the Absolute concept is Shiva as "Yoganath" meaning the Lord of Yoga, wherein he becomes teacher, path and goal. As such he is the "Adi Guru" or the Highest Guru of 'Sannyasins' who have renounced the world to attain the Absolute.

    He is the most sought-after deity amongst the Hindus and they pray to him as the god of immense large-heartedness who they believe grants all their wishes. Around him are weaved many interesting stories that reveal His magnanimous heart. Not only this, but these stories and legends also enrich the Indian culture and art.

    Time is invisible and formless. Therefore Mahakal Shiva, as per the Vedas, manifested himself as "LINGUM" to make mankind aware of the presence of Eternal Time. That day when Shiva manifested himself in the form of "Lingum" was the fourth day of the dark night in the month of 'Magha' i.e. February-March. Maha Shivratri continues to be celebrated forever and ever.

What is the future for ANDHRA PRADESH???

Andhra has three regions, Coastal, Rayalaseema, and Telangana. For the last few years, we are seeing Telangana issue every day in all the news paper. Those who want to have separate state do not understand the problems in the creation of the new state, and the problems after the formation of the state.

It is easy to maintain and develop smaller states when compared to bigger states. If the state is big, it is difficult to do developments in all the regions equally. This is the reason given by all the people who want to have smaller states.

However there are many disadvantages in this approach. It requires thousands of crores to create a new state. Once the new state is formed, many people would be effected by that. If a person has business in both the states, then they will have to pay tax in both the states. For example, If they have vehicles which travel in both the states, they will have to pay road tax in both the states. If any product is produced in one state, by the time it reaches to the consumer of the other state, the price increases. Sometimes, eventhough the consumer does not see the difference, but, dealers and wholesalers would be effected by this. All the educational institutes would be reserved for their state students. In each and every field, there will be significant change, and many people would be effected by that. Many times, they will not realize that, they are not getting good chance because of the partition.

Even without all these, if the government uses the present local governments efficiently at the town/Mandal level, we can improve a lot. But, Andhra government is not giving control to the local government. When N.T.Ramara

o

was Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, he changed the local government elections to direct elections. By that, it was possible for the people to elect a good person as the Chairman. But, the present Chief Minister Y.S. Rajashekar Reddy changed it back to indirect elections, and now the people do not have any control in electing a good candidate as the Chairman. In most of the municipalities, the ruling party members can easily become the Chairman, because, Ruling party will have 3-5 extra votes. The ruling party nominates 3 members as ward members, and MLA and MP also have voting power. Because of that, even if the ruling party does not get majority votes out of 25-50 seats, still one of their members can become chairman.

If we fix all the problems in the local government, and transfer funds directly to the local government, then we don't need to split the states unnecessarily. Thousands of crores of money that is required for partitioning can be used for development of the state.

TRS, NTPP, Talli Telangana and many other parties are saying that, if people vote for them, they will get Telangana. Because, people do not know the rules, they say whatever they want. L.K.Advani says in My Country My Life that, for partitioning a state, the parent state has to approve the resolution in the assembly and has to send it to Parliament for approval. Once it is approved by Parliament also, the state will be partitioned. Unless, the resolution is passed in the assembly, center cannot do anything. TDP and Congress are not supporting Telangana, so the bill cannot be passed in the Assembly. Just by winning in all the constitutions in Telangana does not give majority. If TRS, NTPP, and Talli Telangana really want to form a new state, they should contest in Coastal and Rayalaseema regions also, and get the majority.

Till 1995, Hyderabad was not that much developed. In 1995, Chandrababubecame Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, and after that, he developed so much in IT in Hyderabad. He started Hitech City, and invited many big companies to Hyderabad. He single handedly taken Hyderabad to a very good position. By 2001, Hyderabad was about to take-off in IT. At that time, then Deputy Speaker K.Chandra Sekhar Rao (KCR) started Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) for partitioning Andhra Pradesh into Andhra and Telangana. I did not like it at all. Because, KCR started TRS after Chandrababu (from Rayalaseema region) developed Hyderabad (in Telangana region) single handedly from a normal city to must visit place for Bill Clinton, George Bush, and Bill Gates etc. If he had started TRS before developing Hyderabad, I would have appreciated. But, he started immediately after developing the state. So, I never like KCR and TRS. With the experience of KCR, the present Chief Minister Y.S.Raja Sekhar Reddy (YSR) is doing all the development activities in Kadapa (Rayalaseema region). Chandrababu developed Telangana, and if the partition happens, entire Andhra loses so much. YSR does not want to do the same mistake again. So, he is developing rayalaseema region.

KCR is criticizing almost everyone who opposes partitioning. He is unnecessarily conducting Bundhs, and Road blocking activities for each and every small thing. If this continues, then after the partition, Telangana and Andhra become like Karnataka and Tamilnadu which fight for every small thing. That is even more terrible than economic problems described above.

Let's hope that partition does not happen, and at the same time, the state would be developed by utilizing the local government to full extent.

A true 'Son' of INDIA - Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar has been playing top-class cricket for 20 years and he's still producing blistering innings, still looking hungry, still demolishing attacks, still a prized wicket, still a proud competitor. He has not merely been around for two decades. From his first outing to his most recent effort, a stunning 175 in Hyderabad, he has been a great batsman. Longevity counts amongst his strengths. Twenty years! It's a heck of a long time, and it's gone in the blink of an eye.

The Berlin Wall was taken down a week before Sachin Tendulkar first wore the colours of his country, Nelson Mandela was behind bars, Allan Border was captaining Australia, and India was a patronised country known for its dust, poverty, timid batsmen and not much else. In those days Tendulkar was a tousle-haired cherub prepared to stand his ground against all comers, including Wasim Akram and the most menacing of the Australans, Merv Hughes. Now he is a tousle-haired elder still standing firm, still driving and cutting, still retaining some of the impudence of youth, but nowadays bearing also the sagacity of age.

It has been an incredible journey, a trip that figures alone cannot define. Not that the statistics lack weight. To the contrary they are astonishing, almost mind-boggling. Tendulkar has scored an avalanche of runs, thousands upon thousands of them in every form of the game. He has reached three figures 87 times in the colours of his country, and all the while has somehow retained his freshness, somehow avoided the mechanical, the repetitive and the predictable.

Perhaps that has been part of it, the ability to retain the precious gift of youth. Alongside Shane Warne, the Indian master has been the most satisfying cricketer of his generation.

Tendulkar's feats are prodigious. He has scored as many runs overseas as in his backyard, has flogged Brett Lee at his fastest and Shane Warne at his most obtuse, has flourished against swing and cut, prospered in damp and dry. Nor can his record be taken for granted. Batsmen exist primarily to score runs. It is a damnably difficult task made to look easy by a handful of expert practitioners. Others have promised and fallen back, undone by the demands, unable to meet the moment. Tendulkar has kept going, on his toes, seeking runs in his twinkling way.