The Unsung German of India [CWG, Sports]

In spite of all the controversies that preceded the Delhi Commonwealth Games, I must say that I enjoyed every moment during the last 11 days. Sometimes I even wondered where are the falling roofs? Where are the clogged toilets? What was on screen was pure sports, pure joy. Isn't it these sports moments which shape the pride of a nation - the stock index of happiness and pride moving up or down with every medal that is won or lost?

And, all these controversies went completely into oblivion when India put a stellar performance at the Games. In India, we are raised to believe that there are only 2 games at which India can win - Cricket, and then Cricket (- add corruption and babies-making to it, might say some mockingly). So, one never expects an Indian to win in other games, more so in athletics. No way! No way, unless he or she is raised, bred or trained from childhood in US! 

But in 2010, India did win some medals (a spectacular 1-2-3 in women's discuss throw, and a gold medal in 4X400 relay - women's, and some more).

In this context, I came across the story of the day - a story of a hero whose connection with India only a few might be knowing. His name was Otto Peltzer - a German athlete who made tremendous impact on India athletics.

Here is his story from Australian newspaper the Age -

J.S.Saini, the 83-year-old track and field guru who for two decades was India's chief national coach, called him the father figure of Indian athletics. Norris Pritam, who ran under Peltzer as a teenager, said no one had made as big an impact on Indian athletics as the man they knew simply as ''Doc'', and no one ever would.

His story is a moving story, in the sense that he is a forgotten hero in India. Let's hope that his efforts will find recognition as India continues on the path of more sporting glory.

Here is the link to the story.

Here is the Wikipedia entry for Otto Peltzer.

*Image - Wikipedia

Muddy Disaster in Hungary

The photo appeared on one of the most popular photoblogs - Big Picture.

Other photos

Photo Link

 

Nice Article By Shubha Mudgal

Social/cultural sentiments is a funny and controversial phenomenon. You never know whose sentiments are you hurting with even a casual comment or remark. And in India, the controversies arising out of sentiment-hurting are as widespread as are the types of religions, castes, practices, languages, dialects, mores. 

When the sentiments of people and groups are ever alert for catching anything pointed at them, it is rare to hear sane voices amongst the din. But I was surprised (and glad) to see this piece in Mint newspaper, by Shubha Mudgal - noted vocalist and a good writer too. 

Read this opening -

Those Western Values

For a nation with the wealth of art forms and musical genres that India has, it has never shown too much concern for the preservation of its artistic heritage. Or for creating channels of dissemination for the traditional art and music that has survived against the greatest odds.

She writes further -

Not for a moment am I considering joining hands with the brigades of buffoons and goons who—in the name of upholding Indian culture—bash people up in parks for holding hands or indulging in a bit of necking. I am merely suggesting that it might be a good idea to emulate paschimi sabhyatanow and again, especially when it comes to the organized manner in which the West preserves musical and artistic heritage.

Here, she is referring to the work Smithsonian Institute is doing for preserving vocal traditions not only from USA but from all over the world. She was surprised to find a 1938 collection of Marathi songs - collected by a dutch fellow Beck, on the site.

Now this is what preservation of culture is.

Read the article here.

 

A Day (Off) Before US Open Final

You have to have read Andre Agassi's autobiography 'Open' to imagine what it means for the tennis players to get a day off before finals of a grand slam (or any tournament). This book gives you so many insights into a tennis pro's life that you start loving the game in a totally different manner.

This year, at US Open, it was Djokovic's turn to get overjoyed because of the day off before his slated final against Spanish bull - Rafael Nadal. Djocovic played the second semifinal against top favorite Federer and won it in a gruelling five setter. In the US Open, winner of second semifinal does not get a day off like the first finalist does. He has to recuperate through a single night before going for the gruelling fight of the final.

(Image - Wikipedia)

The awe-inspiring beauty called Arthur Ashe stadium does not have a cover for rain. It means that Djocovic got exactly what he needed most - rest. Read in NYTimes article that the Arthur Ashe stadium, the biggest tennis stadium in the world with a capacity of 23771 seats, will need a whoopping $ 150 million to get a retractable roof, and also some re-engineering due to its size and structure!

Now it will be fun watching the two players play for their life and a grand slam. Though Nadal is a favoured one, my heart wants to see Djocovic (the eternal No. 3 after Federer and Nadal) to win. He has the potential to win the game...

 

Do You Agree?

Media and its trivializing effect on even profound matters is an interesting (and sad) thing to watch and observe. In India, the media has a long history of being the major player in political/public discourse - and this has its own merits and pitfalls.

Currently, the media scene in India is spearheaded by the TV news channels. With their foolish, superficial knack of picking up issues which are equally foolish, and elitist, these channels are a classic example of how a responsible media should not be.

Here is an example (Hindi language) of a TV report appeared on CNN-IBN, a leading Hindi news channel in India.

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All this came to mind today, when I watched 'Frost/Nixon'.

It is a nice movie - memorable not due to the performances, but appealing due to its historical relevance. But what made a mark on me was its take on TV media in general. Here is a quote from the movie that sums my feelings.

James Reston, Jr.: You know the first and greatest sin of the deception of television is that it simplifies; it diminishes great, complex ideas, stretches of time. Whole careers become reduced to a single snapshot.

At first I couldn't understand why Bob Zelnick was quite as euphoric as he was after the interviews, or why John Birt felt moved to strip naked and rush into the ocean to celebrate. But that was before I really understood the reductive power of the close-up, because David had succeeded on that final day, in getting for a fleeting moment, what no investigative journalist, no state prosecutor, no judiciary committee or political enemy had managed to get - Richard Nixon's face swollen and ravaged by loneliness, self-loathing and defeat.

The rest of the project and its failings would not only be forgotten, they would totally cease to exist.

Don't you agree?