First Prize goes to...

Nothing succeeds like success! honestly nothing in this world can give you a bigger high than success. For many years since childhood i have won a lot of awards, laurels and appreciation for extempore, speech and dramatics etc. and later in the work field for some good work. however if i were to categorize those laurels, i think there will be a few firsts and many many seconds!!
Whenever I received the second prize, it felt good but not great. I guess, its natural for anyone who comes second. It was always great to see that there were many who didn't even attempt to do what i did, then there were those who were really happy with the 'consolation' prize (personally, i feel it's a horrible category for prize, why couldn't they call it appreciation prize instead of keeping such a consoling name?). Having said that, the first prize is always pure gold. No amount of 'its great to participate only', 'see someone got the third prize also', nothing takes away the desirability of gold!
Somehow, over the years i couldn't help but notice that there were many occasions wher i have won a lot...a lot of second places!!
As if it got written on my mind that someday I will be second to none. i grew up, got into the corporate world but chose the path less trodden.. RADIO. i truly genuinely fell in love. My dad once told me, 'either you love the job you do, or do the job you love' and i can very proudly say i am one of the lucky few who managed the latter.
Its been 10 years. With mirchi as a jock being no.1 became second nature. then the question used to be how many gifts will i get from listeners this week? by what margin am i ahead of the second competitor? It was such an amazing feeling to be loved and adored by lakhs of people. It wasn't easy to leave the RJ's chair and move into the backdrop, into anonymity!
Came to a new city, new life, new challenges. Overcame them somewhat succesfully and came to Radio City as the Programming Director. This journey has been indeed peculiar and really really special!! This is the place where i realised paki pakayi khichdi khaane ka time nikal gaya hai!  In here there were not just challenges with the style of radio but the biggest battle was the people. As a jock I had never ever bothered about managing people as I was the one (being a RJ) who could officially throw tantrums! I genuinely started seeing the other side of the coin. Figured how difficult it is to manage egos, hormonal imbalances and most importantly 'boss haters' (I think there is a creed like that because no amount of logc appeals to these characters).
After one and a half years of exciting times of putting the product together, building the blocks and picking the right talent, WE HAVE FINALLY SEEN THE TOP SLOT!! While struggling at no.5 a couple of years ago, this looked like a very far fetched reality, my team has been able to break all boundaries, and exceeded in every sphere including SELF BELIEF. I have to say this.. it feels FANTASTICCCC!
The elixir of success is the sweetest! after many second positions I have personally been able to rip the wall and become numero uno. The hardwork has finally paid. I am no more jinxed with the number 2 position...Life's good!!

WORLD CUP KI CLASS!

'That's the way Mahi ve..!' 28 years later, all that one could see was that intense look in the eyes and a power packed six which vociferously stamped India's victory in the WORLD CUP. What a sight Dhoni was? completely sure, calm and absolutely focused, almost a corollary to his team mate on the other side Yuvi who was pushed to tears on the realisation of the dream that every Indian dreamt for 28 years. The victory had much more in store that what meets the eye!

There were moments of catharsis and certain lessons that really mean a lot to any garm josh individual.

Lesson no.1- NEVER SAY NEVER: After all India proved in more than one way. it was historically not only the first team to chase a WC final's score and win it but also the first team who won the world cup on home grounds thereby proving that no so called norm can come in the way of a strong mind or eventually the victory

Lesson no.2- PERSEVERANCE PAYS: Sachin waited 12 years for this day and while he waited he gave people some fantastic cricket to experience. It is almost as if the world cup victory was icing with a juicy cherry on cake but it was certainly not all that he would be remembered by. As SRK rightly said, 'aajkal bhagwan bhi confuse ho gaya hai, usse log Sachin keh ke bula rahe hain'. Despite that the man is the image of humility and pride.

Lesson no.3- PHOENIX IS NOT A MYTH:
Almost like the rise of the phoenix, Yuvraj singh made a comeback and became the 'man of the tournament' which was not just well deserved but surprising too. The man was almost written off after the T20 WC loss which led to many criticisms from the real to the 'armchair' critics. My dad-in-law very often calls him 'gas bag' much on the lines of too much attitude but zero altitude. I am sure after encountering many jokes on his physical girth, Yuvi has had a mighty last laugh. Here's hoping that Dad would finally be more than happy to relieve Yuvi off that title.

Lesson no.4- TEAM PLAYING IS THE KEY: The team was not just together in effort but in spirit as well. Their love and respect for Sachin surpassed any criticism any of them could have lent on his non performance in the final match. Each one of them unanimously spoke that they created history for 'Sachin'. After all, no matter how great a group is, if emotion has no place in it, it will never do well.

Lesson no.5- GOOD COACH= GREAT TEAM: Gary Kirsten got together a team which was probably reeling under a lot of insecurity, under confidence and self doubting individuals three years ago. It is under his tactful, disciplined & honest coaching that the team reached new heights. He made them walk the thin line between self confidence and inflated ego thereby teaching them much beyond what all of them would already know about the game.

Lesson no. 6- IT IS EASY TO CRITICISE THAN TO BE CORRECT: last but not the least, Dhoni's acceptance speech at the finale podium said it all. In a very tongue-in-cheek manner he spoke about how fickle natured cricket fans are. all the questions about choosing sreesanth over Ashwin, chasing a high score and missing opportunities to score could be now put to rest since we have won the world cup. bitter yet true. We are all such 'arm chair' critics. We cannot possibly be all ok all the time in our lives but love to bash someone else up for how wrong he/she is and that includes the game that is so close to all our hearts. Seriously we gotta stop that.

In the end, all's well that ends well. Although I was just 2 when we won the world cup in 1983, I am immensely happy that now after many many years, a colored photo of Dhoni and team will replace the black and white memory of Kapil dev and men for any mention or promo of World cup. The montage and the memories are fresh and definitely delightfully colorful! Dhoni, bade cup mein chai ka mazaa hi kuchh aur hai..!