Showing posts with label Dreams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dreams. Show all posts

Saturday, June 28, 2014

FIFA WorldCup 2014 - Prediction Time

Yes, its prediction time!!! The fact that I was 85% correct to Paul the Octopus 100%, during the FIFA 2010 Worldcup, has kept me most excited to put forward my FIFA WC 2014 predictions.

The Group stage of the FIFA Worldcup 2014 is done and dusted, and no team has been more impressive than the Dutch. With intent to win, they have outplayed their opponents and have been most talked about team entering the Group 16. Inflicting a 5-1 goal defeat on the reigning champions in the revenge match was just the start. The team with the dubious record of reaching most WorldCup finals without ever winning it, is all set to change that. Dutch coach, Van Gaal, the to-be manager of ManU, has been brilliant in marshaling his team in both attack and defense. Under him the Dutch have been playing as a team in Brazil, with some individual brilliances from Roben, the master dribbler, and Robin, the Dutch captain. Between the two, they have scored most goals among the Top-5 (3 goals each). 

Though I love to see Messi lift the Worldcup this time, my calculations say that Netherlands are going home with coveted Cup that they have dreamed forever now. Yes, Dutch it is on which I put all my money to lift the Brazil Edition of the WorldCup.

Below are my predictions for the Group of 16 -

Brazil vs Chile -- Brazil (1-0)
Colombia vs Uruguay -- Colombia (1-1)Win on penalties
Netherlands vs Mexico -- Netherlands (2-1)
CostaRica vs Greece -- CostaRica (1-0)
France vs Nigeria -- France (1-0)
Germany vs Algeria -- Germany (2-0)
Argentina vs Switzerland -- Argentina (2-1)
Belgium vs USA -- USA (2-1)

Quarter finals -
Brazil vs Colombia -- Brazil (2-0)
Netherlands vs CostaRica -- Netherlands (1-0)
France vs Germany -- France (3-2)
Argentina vs USA -- Argentina (1-0)

Semi-final 1 - Brazil vs France -- Netherlands (2-0)
Semi-final 2 - Netherlands vs Argentina -- Argentina (1-0)

Finals - Netherlands vs France -- Netherlands (2-1)

Monday, July 12, 2010

Dutch score a hatrick, but spain win the World Cup!!!

  Google logo on the day of finals

Great finish by the European champions to win the world cup. A dream come true, a dream of so many people, a dream that had never been realised for decades. And today,  at the Soccer City stadium in South Africa it was only one team that looked like lifting the 18k gold FIFA world cup... Spain!! Spain beat Netherlands 1-0 in the finals, in what can be called an unattractive game with many fouls  from both sides. Netherlands had their chances though, Robben missed a one-on-one against the Spanish skipper. But it took extra time for the spanish to break the Dutch defence and get the ball in the back of their net, a right foot strike from Iniesta in the 116th minute puts them into the elite group of world cup winners. Spain shrug their chokers tag, while the dutch make it a hatrick to have lost thrice in the finals of a World Cup. Spainards are ecstatic, as they have lived their dream!!!

Congrats to Spain for lifting the FIFA 2010 World Cup!!!!


Wednesday, June 30, 2010

DV7

"Spain begins to dream".... was the headline in the most widely circulated daily in Spain, after their 1-0 victory over Portugal. David Villa's goal makes him now the joint lead goal scorer in FIFA 2010 worldcup. Is he peaking at the right time for Spain? Well his fans would be hoping and praying... to see "The Kid" score more and more goals for his country... their dreams has just begun!!!

Name: David Villa Sánchez
DOB: 3/12/1981
Country: Spain
Shirt number: 7
Position: Forward (devastating striker)
Nick name: El Guaje ("The Kid" in Asturian)

Vamos Villa!!!!!

Saturday, June 05, 2010

The chosen one...

She is learning Indian classical music for 8 years...
Has played Violin for 6 years...
Her interestes include swimming, reading, painting, writing....
Wants to attend Harvard..
Aspires to be a a cardiovascular surgeon
She is just 14!!!!!
And wins $30,000 cash and and a trophy.

All she had to do was to spell the word 'stromuhr'.

Isnt that simple?? No, it isnt by any means. Forget spelling it.. did you even know that 'Stromuhr' is an instrument for measuring the velocity of blood flow and its of German Origin. Am sure most of us would have tripped trying to get it right.

But, Anamika Veeramani made her parents proud on Friday, by winning The 83rd Scripps National Spelling Bee 2010 held in US (since 1925). She emerged as the winner of the 273 participants. Last year she was placed fifth, but this time she is numero uno. A record 8 Indian origin kids have won it in the last 12 years, and this is the third consecutive victory for an Indian origin at this prestigious competetion.

Just a word on the Scripps company, which is a non-profit organisation... their purpose of holding such an event every year is simple..(in their own words)

Our purpose is to help students improve their spelling, increase their vocabularies, learn concepts, and develop correct English usage that will help them all their lives. 

Congratulations Anamika!!!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

44th President of United States

Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

Place: Capitol Hill, Washington DC, US
Date: January 20, 2009
People gathered: Estimated 2 million!
Gathered for: To witness swearing in of America's first black President
Name: Barack Obama



"President" Obama's first speech

My fellow citizens:


I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.


Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often, the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebearers, and true to our founding documents.


So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.


That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet. Video Watch the full inauguration speech »


These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land -- a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.


Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America: They will be met.


On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.


On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.


We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.


In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the fainthearted -- for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things -- some celebrated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor -- who have carried us up the long, rugged path toward prosperity and freedom.


For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.


For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.


For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.


Time and again, these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.


This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions -- that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.


For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act -- not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.


Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions -- who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.


What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them -- that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works -- whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account -- to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day -- because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.


Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control -- and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart -- not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.


As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: Know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.


Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.


We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort -- even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.


For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.


To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West: Know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.


To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.


As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment -- a moment that will define a generation -- it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.


For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.


Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends -- hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism -- these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world; duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.


This is the price and the promise of citizenship.


This is the source of our confidence -- the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.


This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed -- why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent Mall, and why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.


So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:
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"Let it be told to the future world ... that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive... that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]."


America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested, we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back, nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

Source: CNN.com, timesofindia.com

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Obama is the US president!

Another man to live his dreams!!!

Videos of Barack Obama claiming victoy in the US 2008 elections. The first African-American to ever climb the stairs of the White House.

Listen to his opening statement...

Part-1



Part-2



Part-3

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Google turns 10!!!


The Google doodle (as seen on Google.com homepage) on its 10th birthday (today) is explained -

Today you'll see a special design that commemorates our 10th birthday. We've incorporated a little bit of history by using the original Google logo from 1998. And since everyone keeps asking what we'd like for our birthday (besides cake and party hats) -- the first thing we thought of was a nice new server rack.

(Interesting) Did you knows about Google -

1. When the "Google Guys" (Larry Page and Sergey Brin) met at Stanford, and started a search engine... it was initially called BackRub! It was so widely used in Stanford that many times the servers went down. A web archive from the stanford library saying that the search engine is down is below (click on the link) - Sorry, many services are unavailable due to a local network faliure beyond our control. We are working to fix the problem and hope to be back up soon. 12/4/97

2. The academic paper they submitted at Stanford explaining the PageRank algorithm is here. Click on this link - Academic paper.

3. Google's first headqurters.... was a garage!!! Click here to know more on the house that helped build Google.

4. Google's April fools jokes -

Google MentalPlex - (Year 2000) - FAQ and Illustrations for correct usage :))
Googlunaplex - (2004) - Google hiring for its new research centre on the moon!!
Google Romance - (2006) - Google Romance is a place where you can post all types of romantic information and search for your Soulmate! :)



Happy Birthday Google!!! :))

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Dream of a producer - Debutant producer Ravi Rai has sent "Tingya" to Oscar as an independent category.

After the selection of Aamir Khan's directorial debut, Taare Zameen Par (TZP) as the official Indian entry for the Oscars, Marathi film 'Tingya' is set to enter in nomination of the coveted award through independent entry. The Marathi film 'Tingya' directed by debutant Mangesh Hadawale is based on the on the issue of farmer suicides in Maharashtra. The plot of the film deals with the life and surroundings of six year child named Tingya and his obsession for his bull. The makers of the film said that 'Tingya' will be sent to Oscars as an independent entry in the Foreign Language Film category.

Produced by Ravi Rai, 'Tingya' has garnered much of appreciation in all national and international film festivals apart from winning 37 awards including five international ones. The film has also bagged two awards at Pune Film Festival. The child artist of the film Shrad Geokar has also clinched the Critics' Award for Best Actor at the Pune Film Festival.

Read on - TINGYA pips CHAK DE INDIA, TZP

Monday, February 11, 2008

Best advice from our PM - "Don't expect a level playing field"

India Vision 2020... yes when the blue print for this was envisioned by Adbul Kalam he knew the most important components driving this are the nations's youth and its leaders. It needs the leaders, at national and state level to toil, think and channelize the resources, and the youth to make this vision a reality. Agriculture, manufacturing, education, power, telecom, infrastructure, GDP.. so many things that has to shape up. India has no doubt made a mark on the global stage. Everyone wants to have a deal with India. The market, the potential, the hugely available talented workforce has turned heads towards India. But its just the beginning, India has just entered the field. I always believe that its always the second step that matters. Whatever the task may be, however uphill it may seem, the second step is very crucial. Motivation and eager to perform always drives the first step, but its the perseverence that requires to march ahead and take the second. Everyone takes the first step, its the second step which most of them falter at. Either they fail to take that step or fault at the step. Our Prime Minister Manmohan singh is preparing our youth for this second step. Addressing to business leaders of India Inc. he said -

"They are an example for our business leaders, who must also learn to compete on unlevel playing fields and prove their mettle. There is, in fact, no game that is ever truly played on a level playing field,’’

Citing example of cricket players, he asserted: "Playing fields differ, as every cricketer will tell you. Cricketers do not sit back and demand fields and pitches of their kind. They learn to play on the pitch they are given and try to defeat the opponent."

Citing the example of former president of India, K R Narayanan, the Prime Minister said that Narayanan came from a poor and underprivileged background. He went to the United Kingdom for higher education but never asked for a level playing field, the PM added.

Singh said he derives great satisfaction from the achievements of the youth in the highly competitive world of learning. "Long before Indian business was willing to face global competition, Indian students were willing to do so."


I felt this is so far the best advice given by India's Prime Minister to the young emerging, vibrant business leaders, since long. One with faith and the vision in mind, at the same time telling the Young India to be catious and get strong to take on the world, and make the dreams of India 2020 a reality.

Monday, November 05, 2007

Safdar Hashmi (Apr 12, 1954 - Jan 2, 1989)

"It was when JANAM was enacting a chillingly prescient play called Halla Bol, which touched on issues of workers' rights and the right to perform in the face of injustice, that the group was attacked. Even as Safdar attempted to help others escape, he was bludgeoned to death with iron rods. "The horrific murder caused immense revolution across the country," says artist Ram Rehman. "I will never forget the funeral, the staggering number of people who marched in solidarity with us." The mourning cut across political affiliations, and linked artists, thinkers, journalists and concerned citizens in a visceral reaction to the outrage.

Two days after his death, his wife Moloyshree Hashmi went back to Sahibabad with the Janam troupe to finish the performance of Halla Bol, saying: "It is what Safdar would have wanted."

Safdar Hashmi
JaNaM
Poem by Safdar Hashmi
A tribute to Safdar - SAHMAT

People who Ignite Minds

No great man lives in vain. The history of the world is but the biography of great men. - Thomas Carlyle.

There are innumerable such men and women, each one with a dream, a vision who have written the history of this world. Many, not so popular, yet been an inspiration to the masses. Working for the people at the grass root level, living, being, sharing and making them see new dreams was their dream. Recently i heard a scholar on one of the popular Indian news channel criticising people who laud and treat the achivements and victories of Bobby Jindal, Sunitha Williams - as victory for India/Indians. He said "First of all, they are not Indians.... get that straight into your heads... secondly... its NOT a victory for India... should we (Indians) feel elated of a person who wins a Governer's race in US, merely because his forefathers had their roots (very very faintly) linked with India?? Now, we must not take away the victory and achievements of the Jindals, the Williamss', and other people who have risen to fame and glory. No doubt they are fantastic people having achieved great feats in their streams, but there are scores of people who have toiled for the sake of India, lived and died for a social cause, for the sake of the poor and downtrodden. These are the people who have given their entire self in bringning a change to the narrowest mindsets of people, and made them realise their rights and duties as responsible citizens of the nation. True nation building happens when people realize, look and act at social issues, to eradicate the scums in whatever possible way they can. The impact it has on the generations to come will be immense. But the stories of such great men and women have always been short lived in the memories of the people. The struggles and pains in bringing these revolutionary changes have been soon forgotten. When someone scores a century in a cricket match, or make a class act in one of the Bollywood flicks, we (and the media) worship them, they become Gods in no time.... they become our role models!! How sad that we forget the true legends and live in a fantasy world.

Speaking out on my blog, i will be introducing and talking of some great Indian personalities, who have not been as popular as Jindals or the Khans or the Bachhans on the world stage, but of some lesser known people who have had a huge impact on the lives of a common man and India. These are the people who really ignite minds.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Speaking Tree - Move With The Flow, Learn To Let Go - Sept 13, 2007

We tend to cling to every object in our lives. We hold on to our profession, relationship or possession as if our entire world depends on them. We are so busy clinging to our own lives, that we have forgotten to live with the flow. We are afraid to move ahead, afraid to let go. Life in essence is like an unobstructed, unrestrained, uncontrolled flow of a river. Life flows at its own pace and the ultimate source of all our pain and sufferings is our tendency to cling to and obstruct the flow.

Professional life stagnates, relationships are broken, possessions are lost; all because we refused to let go when we were actually required to let things take their own course. Why do we cling? We cling because change scares us; we cling because we are afraid to face the unknown, to face challenges; we cling because we feel secure if the status quo is maintained; we cling because we refuse to believe that life can never be static; because we refuse to accept the transience of everything; we believe that everything is in our hands. We do not have enough faith in life and that higher force which is omnipotent and omnipresent. In the chaos of existence, we have lost touch with our higher self. Most of us lead a life which is similar to that of a child who is lost in a crowd, separated from his guardians. He has nobody to place his faith on. He is afraid, insecure, suspicious about everyone and everything. We live under the false illusion of having everything under our control. The spirit of getting things done becomes a problem when we continue to cling on even after we have exhorted all our efforts. We are overwhelmed by a sense of despair and disillusion when things move beyond our control. It is at this stage we need to learn to let go. Several times relationships are broken just because we tried too hard to make them work. We didn't give the breathing space they required to grow. We didn't let go and let them take their own course. Professionally or personally, once all the efforts are made towards achieving a goal, we must learn to let go and let life take the best course. It might or might not be of one's choice, but if we have faith, we will realise that it inevitably is the best course. We need to believe that forces above us are far better equipped to make judgments for us. We must learn to have faith in their judgment. Letting go, however, does not mean turning into a fatalist. One cannot sit idle in life and expect life to take care of itself. Karma, the fulfilment of one's duties is the ultimate objective of all human existence and if we fail to fulfil our duties towards life, life inevitably fails us.

When God gives us dreams, He shares them with us. Whatever we consider our dreams, are actually His dreams and He gives us the capability to realise them. The part we are required to play is to ensure the optimum usage of the capabilities bestowed upon us. And once we have played our part with utmost honesty and effort, we need to let go, step aside and let God step in to fulfill our dreams. After all, they are His dreams, too.