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.