Chilligavva

Today is Independence Day for India. A pakistani flag is being flown in Kashmir, one day before our independence day and we exult in Abhinav Bindra’s gold medal at the Beijing Olympics. One of my favorite blogger Krish Ashok- Doing Jalsa and showing Jilpa has rightly commented about the sportiveness of it all. He has rightfully focused on the marks obsessive education malaise that is at the root of most urban stagnance in India.

• Let us face it. India is not into sports in any meaningful way. Our schools do not support sports. They also do not sport support. School sports requires a healthy, competitive atmosphere to thrive like those in the US or Europe, where inter-school matches are cheered by large crowds of students from both schools, and the official school team for any sport is a brand name in itself.

The second firmly rooted malaise to have penetrated the entire nation is every desi politician’s biggest tool, namely religion and caste. Even an affluent Saif Ali khan is not above the religious divide.

• Our sources in the construction industry say that Saif did approach a few Hindu housing societies and was rejected - despite being a superstar. Saif, however, says that he went straight to a Muslim builder to buy his dream house. “I know there are localities and building societies that won’t sell real estate to anyone who’s a Muslim. I didn’t want to get involved in that problem. I went to a Muslim builder to avoid complications.

Living in Omaha, I have yet to see the expatriate Indian community band together and celebrate the day cohesively, keeping aside employers, state of origin, mother tongue issues. Heck what am I cribbing about? I’m one of those who jumped countries for a better life! Guilty as charged. No wonder, Bharat Maata is crying….. [refer pic..]