I have never been a cricket buff honestly, but have seldom missed matches that India plays against any other team. Possibly the Indian within me wakes up and takes to turn on the TV and stay tuned to it for several hours or at least till the match is enjoyable.

Ever since my school/college days, the format that we are accustomed to is the 5 days match being played so wisely by the playing team that sometime the shots were enjoyed and some time left the audience in a furlon mood. However, the victory mattered and every occasion, bets for Indian winning was placed. Really those days, the stakes were high on both the teams.

Then, came a new version one day test matches of 50 overs each. These provided more thrill than the ones we were accustomed to. These were such matches that decisions were declared the same day. Youngsters who could resist watching the match for five days were relaxed. The one dayers definetely proved exciting as compared to the five day matches.

Then suddenly, we got to learn that the format is being revised to be of 20 overs that each team would play. Watching Yuvraj hitting six sixers in a row in one single over thrillled many and made them to jump in their seats.Every player piled up runs in the overs he played.Many records were set.

It seems the shorter versions being played internationally gave a new look to the game. Many must be pondering over a question, does it really improve the playing of a a player on the field. Yuvraj scored differently in matches that were of different versions of the match.

Now Sachin batting for 50 over matches each team playing 25 overs in two innings may further make the game interesting. However, in this context my suggestions is that different teams should be selected to play the different versions of the Games. Not only one national team plays all the versions. Let there be a team for five day matches,  one for Twenty 20 versions and again one for the new format that is being suggested.

This will help players specialize in their format and shall let more youngsters on the national teams, thus encouraging the Game in its true context.

Satish Chandra Sharma,

 Chandigarh

Cell: 9888 255 128

Chandi 

Frisking of Indian personalities, nay VIPs and VVIPs makes headlines in the Indian Media. Every One cries foul on being serached. The latest story to do the rounds is the frisking of kind Khan at the US Newark airport.

Ambika Soni Union Minister for Information and broadcasting in a retort to this said 'she too was frisked'and aired her sentiments that India should reply to them in the same coin.

Hats off to that unknown but powerful FBI official who followed the rule book without bothering the VIP status of kind Khan.For the Americalns,their security is imperitive and they can not compromise on this. Their vigil at the airports post 9/11 has eliminated any chance of the incident getting repeated.

Our officers while on duty  while doing their  duties dispense the rule book in select cases mostly VVIPs. The risk involved in not adhering to the rule book can apparently be seen that despite all the security posted, incidents of its breach are many.

We in India carry our VIP status when we travel or when we are subjected to security checks. However, when employees of an americal airline company frisked our former President Addul Kalam, he made no fuss of it. It was rather the media and the VIPS who cired hoarse.

I read about an incident when Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair had been spoted at the Indira Gandhi Airport, he was quitely standing in the queue waiting for his turn at the immigeration counter. On being asked to open his bag, he did so with grace and after the check, arrangeed his bag and went to the next queue for boarding.

It is unfortunate though, Asians and especially muslim community are strictly trageted . Muslims have been resenting this too. But the americalns consideer security of their airports vital and therefore follow the rule book strictly. It was inn the news now that even Salman Khan has postponed his visits to America for this very reason.

However, one should learn that the securtity of the country is paramount and any compromise on this account would be prepostorus. Though in name we have also high alerts, security checks and et al, yet the VIPS are not exposed to these checks.Let us not carry this VIP syndrome to exhibit on foreign shores.

I believe the Americans following their rule book should rather be complimented, as they keep the nation above the humans though known as VIP/VVIPs.

Marriages are made in heavon and are celebrated on earth is an old saying which ha come to stay for most of the people. This dictum conveys that when a boy and girl ties knot, he is bound by it for lifetime.

Holding of reality show Rakhi ka swayambar on a ATV channel might have excited a few of the viewers, but has disappointed most like me. How can you dramatize the event of the marriage in such a filthy style.

It is traumatizing to see Rakhi pointing out the negatives of the prosprctive grooms and their families. It is funny to see the bride visiting her prospective in laws houses even before the  actual ceremonies. The dramatization depicts very poor taste.

I once happened to switch on the TV , and Rakhi's episode was on. Rakhi was threatening to quit the show mid way. Everyone, including my self knew thatshe would reappear in the next episode on one pretext or tjhe other. This happened as expected.

Another intriguing thing is, no body knows as to whether the serial will culminate in to reality or else it shall be a serial marriage on the small screen with absolutely no memories to cherish.

It is time we ponder that such vulgar subjects should be shown way out. This depiction puts a shabby show of our morals. In 21st century, swayambars have no place, at best you can go for a love marriage as against the arranged marriage.

It is also high time that the small screen is also subjected to censors so tht the vulgarily and obscenity is not allowed to be screened. The small screen has turned the elders out of the family vewing of the TV and has crossed all limits of indecency.

God Save Our Country. Amen.

Satish Chandra Sharma

Genral Secretary ,Chandigarh Social welfare Council,

Cell: 9888 255 128