tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66580825120601658122024-03-04T20:47:32.980-08:00Virtual VignettesDishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288436962458432992noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658082512060165812.post-54495427585500314742012-06-28T08:44:00.000-07:002012-06-28T09:49:06.666-07:00A Dash of 'Bombay' in Bangalore<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The flagship 'Bombay Store' has spread its legacy from the maximum city to the silicon valley of the country. Situated in the heart of Bangalore city, at 1 MG Road Mall, the lifestyle store has continued its heritage of bringing swadeshi artifacts and home decor to the patrons. I was one of the lucky bloggers to get a chance of <a href="http://www.dishashetty.blogspot.in/2012/06/bombay-store-perfect-blend-of.html" target="_blank">touring the newly opened outlet</a> along with four other bloggers.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO21iwhao8tdpsbF5P8C3a91W4zaJbRPECV-W72Oopa2rr2ErVetTtrHAVfanRL5onaJVGbABuvKAwgcB2e-hmNMsAVnD7o7t1OVEwn2c9KaOCUO9HQb-nJDpdok0EufDxF2qofQs_tdk/s1600/IMG00995-20120623-1822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO21iwhao8tdpsbF5P8C3a91W4zaJbRPECV-W72Oopa2rr2ErVetTtrHAVfanRL5onaJVGbABuvKAwgcB2e-hmNMsAVnD7o7t1OVEwn2c9KaOCUO9HQb-nJDpdok0EufDxF2qofQs_tdk/s320/IMG00995-20120623-1822.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Founder- Bal Gangadhar Tilak</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHxry6wkfWeoeJI8tKmil65oAmsYR5IvRI1iFLenE5DHJL5I-P0mzTDy4EjNog1xgPTBPBW0QyXqS88m6zKGWkoeFJFcnErGHi2jeWA6hC9lsLNypdh5tJtVyWDiVWQV5_4_JYrPLzvU/s1600/d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHxry6wkfWeoeJI8tKmil65oAmsYR5IvRI1iFLenE5DHJL5I-P0mzTDy4EjNog1xgPTBPBW0QyXqS88m6zKGWkoeFJFcnErGHi2jeWA6hC9lsLNypdh5tJtVyWDiVWQV5_4_JYrPLzvU/s320/d.jpg" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ethnic Lampshades</td></tr>
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Being a Mumbaikar, now based in Bangalore, I had already picked some stuff from the Fort outlet in Mumbai a couple of time. But this store and the products on display totally left me enchanted.<br />
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To begin with, the items in home decor section of the store is sure to figure in every home maker's wishlist.<br />
Unlike the other retails outlets which caters only to the contemporary taste, The Bombay Store blends well the traditional and modern approach thereby giving the consumers a wide array<br />
of choices.<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">The archiac lamp shades caught my eye the moment I entered the store. They were beautifully done and came in different colours. </span><br />
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Another intriguing home decor item were t he round shaped woollen balls which anyone would mistakenly take for being kids play item but<br />
it was actually a fancy piece which is quite a 'in-thing' now.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxe7TE0opPoe9_nbruU9zMNOH_TxdmAPNBM3HvyRMv7gsT5r6-aBJpwWtNcNBD4qn1B09AsTjyDgMMXc5OpXI1eIoqr2fnwoJs2-fkE5zFwG6BdQf7LDPlIzqPJ_vkTEyzhi6Q6Uau1lE/s1600/balls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxe7TE0opPoe9_nbruU9zMNOH_TxdmAPNBM3HvyRMv7gsT5r6-aBJpwWtNcNBD4qn1B09AsTjyDgMMXc5OpXI1eIoqr2fnwoJs2-fkE5zFwG6BdQf7LDPlIzqPJ_vkTEyzhi6Q6Uau1lE/s320/balls.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fancy Round balls </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xzbHODRl0sYF3Zgs_UJOBLzfeo-dOpquwwCKi6l_l5E5rka4F65fkUs5sewaKHgsx8OGc36oZkZEnhofvHvOWh2QVaXkfSNRkIcBSpQI5V_oLZJcIIw6UYssgX6_YjQ3r6QEdMoHJPE/s1600/balls+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xzbHODRl0sYF3Zgs_UJOBLzfeo-dOpquwwCKi6l_l5E5rka4F65fkUs5sewaKHgsx8OGc36oZkZEnhofvHvOWh2QVaXkfSNRkIcBSpQI5V_oLZJcIIw6UYssgX6_YjQ3r6QEdMoHJPE/s320/balls+2.jpg" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fancy balls as home decor pieces</td></tr>
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Up next it was time to explore the 'Elephant Company' products. Inspired by the pachyderm this collection brings out a rare appeal to all the products under its belt. From mouse pads to fancy umbrella, fancy tissue holders to trays these range of items were quite a hit amongst the buyers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49ieVc8R7oeG3pCUd53_oobnthesjPjC94W-Aj_efDzDevD8NtVdiE5XldWtW3lBcfRoRRKU5aQbNN7AQnjmRPCbqspBPMhhwwymNOfsRKXACFGJllSu3VOyFfNXIyi_wkaevwJxyVPg/s1600/ele.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49ieVc8R7oeG3pCUd53_oobnthesjPjC94W-Aj_efDzDevD8NtVdiE5XldWtW3lBcfRoRRKU5aQbNN7AQnjmRPCbqspBPMhhwwymNOfsRKXACFGJllSu3VOyFfNXIyi_wkaevwJxyVPg/s320/ele.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tissue holders</td></tr>
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The trays on display wore a pretty picture and were inspired by the 'India' theme. Interestingly they had each city on display. Talk about serving your city!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84J9_nU_osfu8T-5cv8j2Qu1Q6_D_rg-4s2yAWc1c32MNwu6EMk9A-uphStry9BHZuMptqg01-6-K4Sy-9TI_TaDI1JmFKi8y5W7Ncoedecw1ofOV-WCBoxw1izkQStPJsQ1GBStbP7Y/s1600/tray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84J9_nU_osfu8T-5cv8j2Qu1Q6_D_rg-4s2yAWc1c32MNwu6EMk9A-uphStry9BHZuMptqg01-6-K4Sy-9TI_TaDI1JmFKi8y5W7Ncoedecw1ofOV-WCBoxw1izkQStPJsQ1GBStbP7Y/s320/tray.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trays in the 'India' theme</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Another highlight of the store were the Mughal motifs and </span><span style="background-color: white;">artifacts</span><span style="background-color: white;"> which I'm sure are a Bombay Store exclusive. These pretty things serve as perfect gifting options. They not only add to the decor but also bring out the essence of a rich cultural background that the Mughals have brought to India. </span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRZQFQbD43Fn9wTevwBz9MFhBxIiskep9t4vorWdyWZA3unetVhwPUea1DedJNgGpI1ct7fbl8Z5lPFfQkCWr9BjCaVVpyob4qvjll_t1Ue24Wib_pkE9YbnrsYJr0MH8nV33j4xPbSg/s1600/mo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRZQFQbD43Fn9wTevwBz9MFhBxIiskep9t4vorWdyWZA3unetVhwPUea1DedJNgGpI1ct7fbl8Z5lPFfQkCWr9BjCaVVpyob4qvjll_t1Ue24Wib_pkE9YbnrsYJr0MH8nV33j4xPbSg/s320/mo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mughal Motifs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnvQfQjlzQ-M3b1PkWKsIMmTyLIARGxLxru7xngyFIybQozz3JP3EngHjWVKg_bV49I7GZN9PBqAFagz0_jkCaGd2HvqohSqzDEYc5zCd5HYCAhbBy8X2uMGSbka64BS_7pTyM0E-urI/s1600/bo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnvQfQjlzQ-M3b1PkWKsIMmTyLIARGxLxru7xngyFIybQozz3JP3EngHjWVKg_bV49I7GZN9PBqAFagz0_jkCaGd2HvqohSqzDEYc5zCd5HYCAhbBy8X2uMGSbka64BS_7pTyM0E-urI/s320/bo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bookmarks</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9olReBcnIFCj6BINk3HxlrBLC9yW6DmzJNYHTvD2UlUfKtErPHpPaRLMtq8GoC-mxTRtP5mCbm21Mcj2iBuOn_z8xyu5HtSgKeVI8FVZ8gzWk-hMjhqIcRY9U_xPRBJuTwVQ4ywYc_U/s1600/co.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9olReBcnIFCj6BINk3HxlrBLC9yW6DmzJNYHTvD2UlUfKtErPHpPaRLMtq8GoC-mxTRtP5mCbm21Mcj2iBuOn_z8xyu5HtSgKeVI8FVZ8gzWk-hMjhqIcRY9U_xPRBJuTwVQ4ywYc_U/s320/co.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional clocks to adorn you wall</td></tr>
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The monsoon fever was also well caught up in the store with umbrellas in vibrant colours, newspaper prints and animals prints hanging across the walls.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-V-BjqeTf0gMLCOvBwA_XcK-flTZ41rDsbPJahc50g_vB2Cl_2D2xf-SiejCmgA7AplFfTDfYIAdpNIe4xq0sUVBH9u9VcNuNayBTilbDE1Q-olanmB0FJFHtqh7W-O_ITeKswJYLxA/s1600/IMG00992-20120623-1816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-V-BjqeTf0gMLCOvBwA_XcK-flTZ41rDsbPJahc50g_vB2Cl_2D2xf-SiejCmgA7AplFfTDfYIAdpNIe4xq0sUVBH9u9VcNuNayBTilbDE1Q-olanmB0FJFHtqh7W-O_ITeKswJYLxA/s200/IMG00992-20120623-1816.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newspaper print umbrella</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Txtf6Pqox8SsLnPdDwzT2ykY6z33mD22EhPGYTUQt3Hhbx6IzDyMCWAswok067tqdRLotL_kxdbJV0LcQDVZqMKSAFi-8-SIVsTYwuLvv_3tLYG2E_O7B2pAqtQynx1AFBgRQmqQrb0/s1600/un.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Txtf6Pqox8SsLnPdDwzT2ykY6z33mD22EhPGYTUQt3Hhbx6IzDyMCWAswok067tqdRLotL_kxdbJV0LcQDVZqMKSAFi-8-SIVsTYwuLvv_3tLYG2E_O7B2pAqtQynx1AFBgRQmqQrb0/s200/un.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">India themed Umbrella</td></tr>
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The tour ended with on a funny note when I came across a set of T-shirt that associated the major cities of the country. And it goes without saying that the city which amused me the most was Mumbai. Take a look and let me know if it truly depicts the attitude of us Mumbaikars :)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63tw3B5MxZ1VVMBMGg4_5MpK8b8PgSz-aE2dGizk1ntiYCp_PJpSZlyGceeXxKoDQRm2WKhf3gD-4YnjC4Ki-c9dPXn6vXhx_Yl2PeqiefweW19x_oJwftIZUhw7V47nYuacmyESNN5s/s1600/mu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63tw3B5MxZ1VVMBMGg4_5MpK8b8PgSz-aE2dGizk1ntiYCp_PJpSZlyGceeXxKoDQRm2WKhf3gD-4YnjC4Ki-c9dPXn6vXhx_Yl2PeqiefweW19x_oJwftIZUhw7V47nYuacmyESNN5s/s320/mu.jpg" width="284" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mumbai-inspired T shirt</td></tr>
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</div>Dishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288436962458432992noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658082512060165812.post-5171942475592690242012-06-05T08:17:00.000-07:002012-06-05T08:17:49.906-07:00The Bombay Store: A Perfect Blend of Traditional and Contemporary Style<div>
The Bombay Store, first thing that pops up on my
mind hearing these words is rich heritage and culture. The Bombay store
is truly a perfect blend of traditional and contemporary style. Started
in December 1906 by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, The Bombay Store is still
classy as ever.</div>
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More than 100 years of tradition is what sets 'The
Bombay Store' apart from other retail outlets. From Home Decor,
Wellness, Fashion accessories to Artefacts, it has a variety of products
that appeal to different tastes and sensibilities. </div>
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On one hand they have their range of traditional
'Mughal Motifs' trays, coasters, candle holders and on the other hand
they have a popular range of 'Ishstyle' apparel which is quite a hit
amongst the youth.</div>
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My favourite section of 'The Bombay Store' has to be
Artefacts and Home Decor. They have a wide variety of equisite
artefacts in metal, leather, wood and clay to perk up the ambience of
your home and make it more beautiful. Be it the 'Om' hanging bells or
the cute Ganesha idols, these artefacts are bound to mesmerize you. </div>
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If you haven't experienced the shopping at '<a href="http://www.thebombaystore.com/" target="_blank">The Bombay Store</a>', you for sure are missing on something.Dishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288436962458432992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658082512060165812.post-28435772403983884782012-03-09T09:51:00.001-08:002012-03-09T21:48:22.825-08:00Celebrating DravidWith over fifty tributes <i>bookmarked</i>, hundreds of tweets <i>favourited</i> and another hundred statuses <i>liked</i>, March 9th, 2012, has brought in enough 'Dravid fodder and scoop' for all Dravid fanatics like me. The only remorse being, its not just another ton or a milestone of his, that all of them are celebrating; its his swan song that the fans and fellow team mates are writing about.<br />
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For me, a cricket loather, it all started with a heated discussion between my uncle and dad,that I was privy to. It was Rahul Dravid's ODI debut. While my uncle felt he was just another youngster making his foray into the international circuit, my dad, having followed Dravid's domestic career, knew he would go a long way. The discussion boiled down to a bet, where one felt his career won't last for more than five years and the other was certain that his presence in the team wouldn't be questioned for the next ten years. Thus began my fanfare towards the game and the man.<br />
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There were times when I would feel a void if I didn't see the Indian team in action, Dravid to be precise. His milestones brought more mirth than the team victory. Eventually I realised, with those lofty cover drives and orthodox forward defenses, keeping with the gloves and fielding at the slips or forward short leg; I had begun to romance the game. Over the years like any star struck teenager and an ardent fan, I collected numerous SportsStar issues, newspaper articles featuring him and his heroics, woke up at wee hours (during tours abroad) midst exams, not to study, but to watch him play. Not to forget the failed attempts to meet him and let him know about my fanfare.<br />
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And fourteen years later,as luck would have it, I was being interviewed for my first ever job, by the man himself, Rahul Dravid. Now how many of them can brag about being chosen by their idol for a job they always wanted to a part of? Well, I proudly can. I knew Dravid was a dedicated craftsman, but what I didn't know was that he does carry his dedication towards his work, off the field too. During the 20 minute interview, where he gauged my cricketing know-how and team fanaticism, he did get constant phone calls. While anyone in his place would have attended the calls, Dravid simply chose to concentrate on the task in hand and choose an able candidate for the job.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jzr-Vmg2X0W4Pqy0FiHvIUfRMGN2bTdh_20LYSFRUCZNiunl5asphSWN6K-N23lH6ZjtfpL1EoKmvHGPifnFaic8qdKxQOVmJzk7oBnrFXBRBUgtZDx5QFvYPvWNF8Wdnx0UwfakUj4/s1600/45958_422322249946_509574946_4999146_6716210_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jzr-Vmg2X0W4Pqy0FiHvIUfRMGN2bTdh_20LYSFRUCZNiunl5asphSWN6K-N23lH6ZjtfpL1EoKmvHGPifnFaic8qdKxQOVmJzk7oBnrFXBRBUgtZDx5QFvYPvWNF8Wdnx0UwfakUj4/s640/45958_422322249946_509574946_4999146_6716210_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first job appointment</td></tr>
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After being chosen by him, to tour with the team for the Champions League in South Africa, I got a chance to know him from close quarters for the next one month. Apart from getting to know him professionally, Dravid, the person, continued to entice me. One of the first in the team to hit the nets and gym, and the last one to leave; unwavering concentration and grit in place. With age was catching up, he worked doubly hard and didn't even miss the optional practice sessions. I am yet to come across a person more dedicated to his craft. The well read person that he is, a dash of humour and sarcasm always accompanied his talks, albeit in a healthy way. I remember him ruing about how the WiFi in the hotel we were staying at, had gotten slow overnight and he asked Robin Uthappa whether everyone in the team was logged onto Skype, chatting with families and friends, for the WiFi to have gone bust.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUe2uuwpwUBJXO1sWdfn8WMScvd7epJe9qTySyvcS96J9eDkA3_1PlX9ECBaGfE5kR9z_skGVkVUBfLgnjcMFpXx6bOdXShGIkwXSyiR2WHniYV3OrOyNw2BT-JvWhz33IilxqVflGe4/s1600/164000_489637594946_509574946_6182761_6112383_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUe2uuwpwUBJXO1sWdfn8WMScvd7epJe9qTySyvcS96J9eDkA3_1PlX9ECBaGfE5kR9z_skGVkVUBfLgnjcMFpXx6bOdXShGIkwXSyiR2WHniYV3OrOyNw2BT-JvWhz33IilxqVflGe4/s320/164000_489637594946_509574946_6182761_6112383_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At a Team Dinner outing.</td></tr>
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But one incident that distinctly stands out in my memory, is the parting shot that Dravid gave me. As a mark of souvenir, he gave away the jersey, he wore during the match he had just played that evening. Quite an unexpected gesture, since I hadn't asked for it. Being an ardent fan of his, he knew how much it meant to me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1b0NNfO_VFf78w7Eh-akIqkc8jRylD7FxwYh9i94t1RGpU4mMEPASbwQHiT5HLG_85vfWYaFWju0O8lLyjJcmctsJ7A2LIJ4xIfvhUVDpAHTQSubBopDx30VkhEF93TX2iusPsM_TmA/s1600/65948_441710824946_509574946_5421024_7107418_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1b0NNfO_VFf78w7Eh-akIqkc8jRylD7FxwYh9i94t1RGpU4mMEPASbwQHiT5HLG_85vfWYaFWju0O8lLyjJcmctsJ7A2LIJ4xIfvhUVDpAHTQSubBopDx30VkhEF93TX2iusPsM_TmA/s400/65948_441710824946_509574946_5421024_7107418_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most valued possession- Dravid jersey.</td></tr>
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All this just seems so recent, I now find it tough to accept that an illustrious career has come to an end. Team India's go-to man, won't come out to bat at no.3 now, nor will he field at the slips. After sixteen glorious years of serving the game, Dravid has left too big a void to fill.<br />
And my dad, having won the above bet, is optimistic about a Dravid comeback, when he sees the Indian middle order in doldrums. As a fan of the game, I can only wish the team does well, with or without Dravid.<br />
<br /></div>Dishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288436962458432992noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658082512060165812.post-26648267631265615952012-02-28T10:16:00.001-08:002012-02-29T21:39:32.594-08:00Cricket connects in the Rainbow Nation<div>
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Thanks to the amazing hospitality provided by the Rainbow Nation and its people, I just couldn't sum it all up in my <a href="http://www.dishashetty.blogspot.in/2012/02/from-rainbow-nation-with-love.html" target="_blank"> previous blog</a>. Here's an account of my interaction with two..well, I won't reveal it all out here. Read on to know who these two gentlemen are.</div>
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<b>Venue</b>: Hotel Sandton Sun lobby, Sandton city, Jo'burg.</div>
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Early morning buffet breakfasts at the Sandton was something that I always looked forward to. Apart from the yummy breakfast , I got to meet interesting people there. Seated across me were two men, in their late fifties and what started off as a casual cricket chat went on to become a full fledged tete-e-tete.</div>
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The two gentlemen Arrie de Beer, a South African and Ronald Hope from England, told me that they had been to India on work. Curiosity creeping, I wanted to know if the Indian Premier League (IPL) had
got them all the way to India. And surprisingly it had.</div>
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Being the Chief blogger for one of the IPL teams, Royal Challengers Bangalore, participating in the tournament; I was more keen to know, which team they were rooting for this
season. And faced some disappointment when I received a unanimous <b><i>"Our
lips are sealed. We can't take sides."</i></b> Still prodding a bit
further I let them in on my fanfare for the Royal Challengers, hopeful that
they would spill some beans or their take on RCB. And bingo..it worked!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ronald Hope and Arrie de Beer(r)</td></tr>
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Arrie, just couldn't stop
raving about our coach, <a href="http://www.dishashetty.blogspot.in/2012/02/from-rainbow-nation-with-love.html" target="_blank">Ray Jennings</a> (yes, I did mention him in my first blog). Being a cricket enthusiast and having
travelled around the world with teams, he knew most of the players from
close quarters. And Ray, he said, was one of the finest individuals and mentors
a team could ever ask for. (No..his Protean connect has got nothing to do with
the volley of praises for the coach)</div>
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Ronald Hope, from Manchester, was
more of a football fan and was surprised about how we Indians follow cricket so
ardently. "Isn't Hockey your national game?" he asked. I sheepishly admitted that it was but we Indians followed cricket as a religion and hockey as a result took a backseat.</div>
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Now, it was my turn to fill them
in about the various fan club activities that team RCB undertook and how we were doing our bit for the environment, apart from being a cricket franchisee. The two were mighty impressed by the 'Go Green' initiatives.</div>
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As the rendezvous was cut short by Indian team skipper, M S Dhoni's entry, I wanted to know their profession, as they seemed huge cricket buffs like me. I was in for a surprise when I got to know who
the '<b>fans in disguise</b>' really were.</div>
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<b>P.S </b><i><u>Sir Arrie and
Sir Ronald Hope, were the two ICC officials monitoring the tournament (CLT20).</u> And finally Sir Arrie did give in to my
persuasion and admitted that 'HE IS ROOTING FOR <u>THE ROYAL CHALLENGERS</u>' All thanks to this chance encounter at the breakfast, I found a new RCB fan.</i></div>
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<o:p><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">This post is my entry to </span><a href="http://www.indiblogger.in/topic.php?topic=51" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none;">Around the World with Expedia</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> contest at </span><a href="http://www.indiblogger.in/" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none;">Indiblogger</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">.</span>
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<o:p><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Escapades are fun when you go all out and enjoy, not having to worry about the hole it burns in your pockets. </span><a href="http://www.expedia.co.in/" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none;">Expedia</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">, now in India, gets you the best travel deals while you make the most of your holiday.</span>
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</div>Dishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288436962458432992noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658082512060165812.post-11605672220974301682012-02-24T10:52:00.000-08:002012-02-25T22:33:06.741-08:00From the Rainbow Nation with love.While the world was still reeling under the withdrawal symptoms of the FIFA World Cup in 2010, I had a chance to visit South Africa, after being chosen as the chief blogger of a cricket team. Three weeks in the rainbow nation with a fun filled tournament to be a part of, it was tough to bid adieu to the wonderful country and its people.<br />
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<b><i>Touchdown Jo'burg</i></b><br />
Fourteen hours, two flights and a few airline meals later we arrived in Jo'burg. My first glimpse of the city and I absolutely fell in love with it. Our first stop in South Africa was the High Performance Centre in Pretoria. Huge green lawns, lush outfields coupled world class infrastructure, the HPC was every sports persons dream come true.<br />
Here, I was in for some world class cricket, rugby and football action. And yes! I did get my hands (legs rather) on the Jabulani balls which were quite a hit after the FIFA World Cup.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapTsTewCvMFgZM83B2SZeqcHYzZQagrAhnahKz-S2rDIRcZp5MehNwyOUbvmjo391DtWE_pKpf0gRkM3-_GdguwfI-oZVJsHNqZgLx9FCQgPno8AKwZ3Sgo3SmNUDE710wiWhkZDczfo/s1600/47915_467170620615_604170615_6944935_6338224_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapTsTewCvMFgZM83B2SZeqcHYzZQagrAhnahKz-S2rDIRcZp5MehNwyOUbvmjo391DtWE_pKpf0gRkM3-_GdguwfI-oZVJsHNqZgLx9FCQgPno8AKwZ3Sgo3SmNUDE710wiWhkZDczfo/s320/47915_467170620615_604170615_6944935_6338224_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The local team with Jabulani balls</td></tr>
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<b><i>Bon Appetit</i></b><br />
One meal in SA is like a buffet in India. The portions are just humongous. The 'rainbow' not only applies to the country and its people, but also to the cuisine that South Africa has to offer. The cultural melting pot that this country is, I was in for some lip smacking delicacies throughout my stay. While the Butchers Shop and Grill at the Mandela Square, served every kind of meat available on earth, I tried kudu and snail (albeit its awful taste) to get a hang of the local cuisine. Also a wild spinach dish, Morogo, which is an ancient local preparation, might win your taste buds over. But its Nandos and its hot peri peri and Creme Soda that I really crave for.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Wm5_AFj1H2WeAcgWuXG0P9SMA2zNCE1F64CPItrtEp_qG8U93f4_6URfVSG5bmzLmEElSKaY5OD3kyvHHxT0bjGwMY-Xu3-1eThSUiCfbRKzkqK5bgdHCzS2uvVIBQyvz1G8OjCtpX8/s1600/pass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Wm5_AFj1H2WeAcgWuXG0P9SMA2zNCE1F64CPItrtEp_qG8U93f4_6URfVSG5bmzLmEElSKaY5OD3kyvHHxT0bjGwMY-Xu3-1eThSUiCfbRKzkqK5bgdHCzS2uvVIBQyvz1G8OjCtpX8/s200/pass.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squid pasta.. look at freaking quantity!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRxqL7q452LQNRwScHB71NrU2HJgAr7X_LFTXmBPyjj-m3KvFOMQt_YtLMyHr2OjsfqdRvGDX-ZEBqWBGNBdtT56uyV9SwHucpmCW4e5Uwz3oiuRFa27j9UeFshgng7pFrAF7PsoPOuk/s1600/58408_468203215615_604170615_6964243_6056737_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 13px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRxqL7q452LQNRwScHB71NrU2HJgAr7X_LFTXmBPyjj-m3KvFOMQt_YtLMyHr2OjsfqdRvGDX-ZEBqWBGNBdtT56uyV9SwHucpmCW4e5Uwz3oiuRFa27j9UeFshgng7pFrAF7PsoPOuk/s200/58408_468203215615_604170615_6964243_6056737_n.jpg" width="200" /></b></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13px; text-align: left;">Morogo </b></td></tr>
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<b>Surfs up...it was time to discover Durban</b><br />
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Amazing beach fronts, sand installations, seafood and a whole lot of Indian population, thats Durban for you. Renting a bike and cycling along the entire beachfront promenade,was the perfect way to unwind. The huge oceanic waves lashing past and the early morning chill hitting my face..ah bliss!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidaV5jY4VFGLD4VFPNJdWmHOYrtwWlmx7Mv-Tk1pcFyQtBZPdQ8cPNpqHjMuSxh2E37xdEtaCCik9Av3pBrStGTtw86GID0xpeWaN4UexCYjB8FvbSLaEZv6GRiHWmocv9zOp6mZsNcqc/s1600/1285526748498636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidaV5jY4VFGLD4VFPNJdWmHOYrtwWlmx7Mv-Tk1pcFyQtBZPdQ8cPNpqHjMuSxh2E37xdEtaCCik9Av3pBrStGTtw86GID0xpeWaN4UexCYjB8FvbSLaEZv6GRiHWmocv9zOp6mZsNcqc/s320/1285526748498636.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Durban beach front</td></tr>
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Up next, was a trip to Ushaka marine world, where it was time to let go off all my inhibitions and soak in (here, I mean literally) the world of marine amusement. </div>
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Numerous passage ways of huge underground aquariums from turtles to sharks, pythons octopus and beautiful bright fish this place had it all and more. Ocean walking and shark diving just added to the mirth and daredevilry of the outing. Holed up in huge glass cage with those scary looking monsters all around you, phew, whoever said shark diving was fun!</div>
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<i>My blog would be incomplete without a mention about the warm
people I met during my stay in South Africa. From cricket coaches to Cage
fighters, Physiotherapists to the Hooters girls, I was in for some amazing
South African hospitality throughout my stay.</i></div>
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<b>Ray Jennings</b></div>
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A hard taskmaster at work, Coach Jennings makes sure everyone in the team is performing to his abilities.<span style="font-family: inherit;">He planned and organised a visit to the Soccer city stadium. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWkpl0a-_G7UM-ilNRAXLJLSBHySAr-mzldI6ReGTNF4neYQeqnAt-HHgJ7ydpSbz368lQIX1fLV-QWBT7_ZsrUr4vuvHLMuq3ovbhE_uJJcy8vzxhKMCcNh9Cx5FvjIIisWC2LrRWtM/s1600/61567_430852259946_509574946_5192415_5141929_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWkpl0a-_G7UM-ilNRAXLJLSBHySAr-mzldI6ReGTNF4neYQeqnAt-HHgJ7ydpSbz368lQIX1fLV-QWBT7_ZsrUr4vuvHLMuq3ovbhE_uJJcy8vzxhKMCcNh9Cx5FvjIIisWC2LrRWtM/s320/61567_430852259946_509574946_5192415_5141929_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ray Jennings at Soccer City Stadium</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Based on the design of a calabash, an African pot, this
ninety five thousand capacity stadium is an engineering marvel and shows what a
beautiful sporting culture the South Africans have. Thanks to Ray's efforst I had
the privilege to enter restricted areas in the stadium, even walking on the pitch, something very few people are allowed to do. Driving back we passed Soweto, the biggest black township in SA, also the Hector Pieterson Memorial, a wonderful monument built to commemorate the black uprising </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mandela house in Soweto</td></tr>
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Another highlight was stopping by Nelson Mandela's small brown brick house in Soweto, the place where the Nobel Laureate was born. Throughout the tour, Jennings kept us supplied with information about South Africa's history. I wish my teachers in school were so interesting, I would have scored a lot better in History. Conversations with him ranged from cricket and rugby to history,from diets to his newborn granddaughter.</div>
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<b>Evan Speechly</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Ever happy' Evan Speechly and me</td></tr>
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If there was an award for staying happy always, Mr. Speechly would win it hands down. Being assoicated with various cricket and rugby teams as a physiotherapist, Evan can sense a niggle with a mere touch. An avid reader and an excellent mimic, we bonded big time over books and humour. I did take few Hebrew lessons,from the Jewish born physio,considering the penchant that I have for learning new languages.</div>
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<b>Theo Padayachee</b></div>
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Like most African nations, South Africa too earns the dubious distinction of being rated high on crime chart. But with security officers like Theo on board, I didnt have to worry about being harmed in any way. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Theo Padayachee- the enforcer</td></tr>
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The intimidating figure that Theo is, I was in for a surprise when he told me that his ancestors had moved from Tamil Nadu in India to Cape Town, before independence. He could actually speak fluent Tamil as well. What really amused me was, Theo's intriguing past. He used to be a cage fighter, who had even served a term in the prison , before he mend his ways and got into providing security solutions to those who sought her services. But our interaction was more to do with discussing the latest gadgets and social media, than the protection business. Yes! we are still connected via Facebook.</div>
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<b>The Hooters girl</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HOot Hoot Hooters: Danelle</td></tr>
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Not just a pretty 'Hooters' face, Danelle, ended up befriending and showing us around Jo'burg. From shopping at the flea markets in Rose Bowl to the hopping to most happenings places in town, we simply had a ball. While Danelle is a football fanatic,cricket buffs, my friend Shireen and I, provided ample cricket <i>gyaan </i>and even ended up giving Danelle tickets to one of the matches. Glad she was and how!<br />
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<b>The Kiddie brigade</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew (extreme right) with his friends.<br />
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You can call it a case of saving the best for the last, this bunch of cute little kids at the grass banks of Centurion, were the most endearing of the lot. Being the chief blogger of the team, I was on the lookout to meet interesting fans across the stadium where I came across Andrew and his friends, who were cheering their lungs out. Andrew's dad who had accompanied the kids, told that the six year old, was a huge fan of Protean side and Jacques Kallis was his favourite player. As we got talking, Andrew said he harboured cricketing aspirations like his idol. While I chose him as the 'Fan of the Day', his dad was elated knowing his son would be on the internet.<br />
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With the tournament done, it was time to get back to India, back to the grind, the normalcy et al. But I'll never forget the adventure, the food, the sights and sounds, the people I met and the mirth that ensued in the Rainbow nation.<br />
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P.S: Escapades are fun when you go all out and enjoy, not having to worry about the hole it burns in your pockets. <a href="http://www.expedia.co.in/">Expedia</a>, now in India, gets you the best travel deals while you make the most of your holiday.<br />
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This post is my entry to <a href="http://www.indiblogger.in/topic.php?topic=51">Around the World with Expedia</a> contest at <a href="http://www.indiblogger.in/">Indiblogger</a>.</div>
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</div>Dishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288436962458432992noreply@blogger.com20Mumbai, Maharashtra, India19.0759837 72.877655918.835877699999998 72.5617989 19.3160897 73.193512899999988tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658082512060165812.post-48085878691738181942010-08-14T06:27:00.000-07:002010-08-14T10:34:50.640-07:00Mallya Junior+awareness drive+ Inside RCB dope, The Mumbai Meetup had it all.<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="royal challengers" height="300" src="http://www.royalchallengers.com/mp3uploads/1281353123814971.jpg" width="400" /></div><br />
Whoa…The best fan meetup so far. I’m elated. Sidhartha Mallya obliged us fans with his presence for over two hours (albeit a last minute surprise element)<br />
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Little did I know that a random tweet update by me calling all RCB fans in Mumbai for a meetup at Leopold, would get the Director of RCB to join us fans and and share the inside dope on players, venues, matches and surprisingly his school days. The Fan Meetup & awareness drive turned out to be a huge success with Mallya Junior playing a great host and fans turning up in large numbers.<br />
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Toying with a social cause since the fan Summit, the meetup was planned so as to cater to atleast a small social cause from RCB fans to the city of Mumbai. And glad we did…we held a jersey rally along Marine Drive with the help of CORNER STONE, a Mumbai based NGO. We conducted an awareness drive along the roads from Colaba to Marine Drive with social and cleanliness messages pasted on our jersey, holding placards and asking people not to litter. A brief start to what we intend to take a long way.<br />
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But the real action unfolded at Cafe Leopold, where Sid Mallya turned up (before time..mind you, as Nidhi said UK timings ) with two of his friends and had a ‘Good Time’ with all the fans. Here’s how it all began:<br />
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<b>Tweete-e-Tweete :</b><br />
My tweet update for RCB:<br />
Calling all RCB fans in Mumbai for a meetup (4pm @Leopold, Colaba) & Jersey/T-shirt rally thereafter. So are you Mumbaikars, GAME FOR MORE?<br />
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Sidhartha Mallya replies: <br />
@RCBTweets I will for sure come along…Leo’s is my fav place!<br />
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I hope I’m seeing as many RCB fans as possible today at 4pm at Leopolds, Colaba. Will be good to have a catch up and a few beers… 2:03 PM Aug 8th via UberTwitter<br />
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As fans dropped by donning RCB jerseys he was at a loss of words and quite humbled by the number of those who had turned up for the meet. Sharing inside goss about IPL 3 auctions, his favourite picks for RCB and player retention policies for CLT20 and IPL4, Sidhartha patiently answered all our queries. Few off the record dope and indulging in a banter with his staunch KXIP follower friend, his days at the boarding school and as a hockey captain…Mallya junior had a whale of a time with us. He also promised to give away Red & Gold RCB bagdes (he was wearing one too) for fans turning for coming meetups.<br />
News is ‘RCB jersey for CLT20 is gonna change’ The new one will be sans a collar..it’ll be a round neck fitted Jersey..specially keeping in mind players like PK who wears a jersey 3 times his size We also came up with a suggestion to start our own ‘Cafe RCB & Force India’ on the lines of “ManUtd cafes’. Chatting for over two hours it was time to bid adieu to the ‘Prince of Good Times’<br />
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<b>Happiness Index</b>: The happiness quotient of the meetup fans and Mallya Junior alike was really high. Turning up for all the fans, an impromtu & warm gesture, on Sidhartha’s part was highly appreciated. Also this meetup would be featured in the Times of India. (will update that bit soon)<br />
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<b>Party Meter:</b> Most of them who’d turned for the meetup were teetotallers and Sid was amazed as to how RCB fans could leave the venue without having USL products. But then he played aperfect host and offered juices instead <br />
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<img alt="royal challengers" height="300" src="http://www.royalchallengers.com/mp3uploads/1281353104522896.jpg" width="400" /><br />
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He tweets post the meetup:<br />
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"Just met our fans at Leopolds.am completely humbled and in awe of the experience. Amazing feeling to know we have rcb fans all over india "<br />
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P.S. The ‘off the record’ player/matches info that Mallya Junior shared with us will be posted in my next blog soon. <br />
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Also the new look and feel of my blog (I love it more than anyone else..: P) will make it easier for you’ll to browse through the archives and pictures. A big shout out to my fellow bloggers Dhaval <a href="http://www.dhavalyours.com/"></a> and Kunal <a href="http://kunaljanu.wordpress.com/"></a> for their blogging and SEO tips. Thanks a lot guys.<br />
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So on the eve of Indian Independence, I pledge that I'll blog regularly. (not that it'll add to the nation's significance ;-) )<br />
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The mobile phone will celebrate its 15th birthday in India this year but I, much to other's dismay, yearn for the days when they were only for the strong and the wealthy. Ironically, being a gadegt freak myself, I've got to admit I'm impressed by technology and services it has to offer with the advent of 3G.<br />
But whats with the compulsion that makes the mobile owners use the damn thing day and night?<br />
They are fast replacing clouds of cigarette smoke as public nuisance No. 1. My hour long train commute to college and back home was the only 'alone time' I had to myself during the day, maybe hooked to a nice book or some soulful lyrics on my MP3. But now its impossible to enjoy those thoughtful moments without having to listen to a dozen one sided phone conversations of complete strangers. None is an urgent warning to a loved one or a call that sheds invaluable insights on life. Sadly they are boring, devoid of any intrigue, usually packed with trivia everyone within earshot must endure.<br />
I do concede that mobile phones have saved ship wrecked sailors or hikers lost in mountains or even ideal for finding a wandering partner. But they also blight lives. Tiger Woods and Terry would be at a better position as to how these very handy devices have wrecked their lives.What irks me the most about this device is the very essence of its invention (read make/receive calls on the go). Just hope i get over this syndrome someday. if not for myself atleast for those who call me up.<br />
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P.S. Texting ( note how the mobile changed the word 'text' from noun to verb) the other feature which a phone offers is my addiction. I can go to any lengths texting a conversation than having one. Just realised I text faster than i talk<br />
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</script>Dishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288436962458432992noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658082512060165812.post-91974505373084444872010-04-16T08:46:00.001-07:002010-04-16T08:46:21.765-07:00Signature Party den<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"></span><br />
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;">Mumbai Indians & Kings XI Punjab, IPL after party at Trident, Nariman Point, Mumbai</div><h1 style="color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 4em; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-top: 70px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;">The mantra of the evening certainly was ‘Eat..drink..and make merry’. Even as the Kings XI Punjab faced defeat yet another time, they were looking forward to an unwinding session at the Signature IPL night here in Mumbai. Glad to see a few from the Mumbai Indians finally at the partying scene. Bravo, Pollard, Duminy, Abhishek Nayar, Dhaval Kulkarni and Jonty Rhodes filled in for the Mumbai brigade, and were seen having a gala time celebrating their victory.</span></h1><div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_1266" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: block; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 235px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/sanga.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12px;"><img alt="KXIP skipper- Kumara Sangakara" class="size-medium wp-image-1266 " height="300" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/sanga-e1270114782892-225x300.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="225" /></span></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">KXIP skipper Sangakkara</div></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;"><strong>The ‘Ramp’age</strong>- Monisha Jaising popularly known as ‘the princess of Bohemian luxe’ showcased her collection which was dominated by block prints, Indian handicrafts, flowy summer collection. Walking the ramp for her were the supermodels Alicia Raut, Sucheta Sharma, Candice Pinto among others. Spotted enjoying Fashion show were fashioniastas <strong>Nandita Mahatani, </strong>Ex Miss World<strong> Diana Hayden,<span style="color: #600000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal;">International supermodel</span> Diandra Sores.</strong></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;">As soon as the fashion show ended , <strong>DJ Whosane</strong> took over spinning some of the best international tracks that got the guests grooving on the dance floor. Kieron Pollard just couldn’t stop raving about the music. The bollywood brigade comprising of <strong>Arjun Rampal with wife Mehr Jessia, Dino Morea, Muzamil Ibrahim, Shaad Randhawa, Rahul Bose, </strong>Rock On director<strong> Abhishek Kapoor. </strong>And guess who’s Back in town and was seen enjoying the party? Mandira Bedi is back from her London sojourn and was among the first celebs to be interviewed by Bani J. Quite her chirpy self!</div><div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_1267" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: block; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 310px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/mandy.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-1267 " height="350" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/mandy-249x300.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="300" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">And Mandy is back!</div></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;">Umpire <strong>Robin Jackman, Andy Bichel</strong>, KXIP coach <strong>Tom Moody, </strong>IPL vice Chairman <strong>Niranjan Shah</strong> were seen enjoying their drinks amidst some serious cricket talks. The highlight of the party certainly was Bret Lee, who took to the dance floor along with fellow team mates Ravi Bopara, Bisla and Kumara Sangakarra. Surprisingly Yuvraj Singh, Irfan Pathan, Piyush Chawla & Sreesanth gave the party a miss. Too miffed by the defeat I guess.</div><div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_1270" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: block; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 310px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/ra.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-1270 " height="266" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/ra-300x266.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="300" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">Rahul Bose</div></div><div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_1269" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: block; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 235px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/mod-e1270118661160.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-1269" height="300" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/mod-e1270118661160-225x300.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="225" /></a><br />
<dt><div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">'Mighty' Tom Moody, KXIP coach</div></dt><br />
</div><div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_1286" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: block; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 263px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/ret.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-1286" height="300" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/ret-253x300.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="253" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">Bret Lee and Bisla entering the party</div></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;">And just as the party was getting to a full house, the Regal Room was agog with screams of “Ness..Ness” as in walked Ness Wadia sans co-onwers Priety Zinta and Rohit Burman. A pretty picture himself, obliged everyone as he posed before heading to bar.</div><div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_1268" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 263px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/brr.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-1268 " height="300" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/brr-253x300.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="253" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">Wassup dude? Dwayne Bravo with Ravi Bopara</div></div><div class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_1271" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 310px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/ness.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-1271 " height="225" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/ness-300x225.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="300" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">Ness Wadia</div></div><div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_1272" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: block; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 310px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/gu.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="The Regal Room- A full house" class="size-medium wp-image-1272" height="225" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/gu-300x225.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="300" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">The Regal Room-a packed house</div></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;">Whoa…one of the best IPL parties in Mumbai so far. The energy and party quotient of the crowd reached the hilt as they danced till the wee hours, living every bit to the epithet of ‘<strong>The City never sleeps’</strong></div>Dishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288436962458432992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658082512060165812.post-45495015640111022862010-04-16T08:45:00.001-07:002010-04-16T08:45:17.144-07:00Play hard..Party harder<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"></span><br />
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;">As victory beckoned the Mumbai Indians at the D.Y Patil Stadium, the Chargers weren’t left far behind. They partied and how! The Trident, BKC, was all decked up as the Chargers arrived, starting with the owners Gayatri Reddy and her dad in a majestic looking Bentley. Happy to be posing with the guests, they headed straight to the party which was held at Golconda Ballroom.</div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;">BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah and a few ICC officials were the next to join the Reddys. The ballroom started filling up soon after the Chargers made a beeline for the party. Also seen enjoying the night were former Miss India and actress Nikita Anand, the MTV crew comprising Bani J, model Noyonika Chaterjee .</div><div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_1156" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 310px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/nim.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-1156 " height="225" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/nim-300x225.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="300" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">IPL Vice President Niranjan Shah</div></div><div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_1159" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: block; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 325px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/nik.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-large wp-image-1159 " height="502" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/nik-642x1024.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="315" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">Nikita Anand</div></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;">The Mumbai Indians skipped this one as their owners had thrown in a private party celebrating the team’s victory. Chargers had a gala time at the party though. First up to face Bani’s volley of fun queries was the mighty Symonds, who was quite enjoying the party and the fashion show. RP Singh looked a bit jaded and was seen engaging in a friendly banter with fellow Charger Jaskaran Singh and Pragyan Ojha. Captain Adam Gilchrist was too happy to pose and that too in his typical ‘Kangaroo’ style. Cant get more candid than this one!</div><div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_1150" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: block; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 460px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/gil.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-large wp-image-1150" height="337" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/gil-1024x768.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="450" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">Gilly and his signature 'Kangaroo'</div></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;">The Fashion show started soon after and Mandira Wirk’s ensembles certainly belied her age. Some awesome cuts, negligees, floral patterns adorned her collection. And hold your breath guys, the show stopper of the night was the ravishing..Mugdha Godse.</div><div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_1157" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: block; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 460px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/mug.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-large wp-image-1157" height="337" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/mug-1024x768.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="450" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">Mandira Wirk with her show stopper Mugdha GOdse</div></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;">The Dj took over as soon as the fashion show ended and set the dance floor blazing. While the players were enjoying their food and drinks, the guests just couldn’t get their dancing shoes off. And as the party continued till the wee hours..it just got the better out of them. Yet another Signature IPL night hit if I may say!</div><div><br />
</div>Dishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288436962458432992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658082512060165812.post-79032713986842865442010-04-15T10:15:00.000-07:002010-04-15T10:15:11.689-07:00PRIDE- worth playing for indeed!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"></span><br />
<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_1436" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: block; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 460px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/nesss.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-large wp-image-1436" height="337" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/nesss-1024x768.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="450" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">A few grins after the loss.</div></div><div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_1437" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: block; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 460px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/bh.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-large wp-image-1437" height="396" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/bh-1024x902.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="450" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">When victory beckons the rivals..</div></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;">All in all a lukewarm response to the much awaited game, which otherwise would have been a semis berth sealing one. With KXIP having nothing to lose they did spoil Mumbai’s party plans big time. The crowds dispersed with talks of desperately seeking victory in the next encounter against the Royals.</div>Dishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288436962458432992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658082512060165812.post-24753512653901808422010-04-15T10:06:00.000-07:002010-04-15T10:13:44.281-07:00Signature IPL Nights<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"></span><br />
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"></span></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;">The Mumbai Indians are in no mood to let the others party. After sealing a semi final berth against the Rajasthan Royals, they defeated the Delhi Daredevils here in Mumbai with whopping 37 run margin. The after party was a hit, both the teams partied and how! Read on..</div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;">Shantanu-Nikhil’s embellished collection, the city’s elite grooving to DJ Aqeel’s tunes, the MTV VJ’s, the players ‘wining and dining’ made for yet another IPL after party a huge hit.</div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;">The Designer duo of <strong>Shantanu- Nikhil</strong>, who have been in the news recently for designing celebrity couple Sania- Shoaib’s wedding attire, were the designers for the evening. Embellished cuts, flowy gowns, models draped in hues of Red, Black and white were the highlights of the show. Seen enjoying the ramp walk from the front rows were Bollywood actor <strong>Arjun Rampal,</strong> IPL vice chairman <strong>Niranjan Shah,</strong>Daredevils <strong>Paul Collingwood, AB de Villers, Ashish Nehra, </strong>among others.</div><div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_1518" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: block; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 310px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Photo-0165.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-1518" height="225" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Photo-0165-300x225.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="300" /></a><br />
<div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">Shiny disco balls<img alt=":)" class="wp-smiley" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 20px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></div></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;">Dj Aqeel had the guests asking for more, when his tracks set the dance floor blazing. A good mix of Bollywood and Punjabi numbers amidst the ‘Signature IPL Trumpet’ had everyone shaking a leg. Having two left feet with such music being played is a thing of the past and a silly excuse, if I may say. <strong>Javagal Srinath</strong> made a rare and quick appearance, and was seen in some serious discussion with a few Delhi players and umpires. Talk of bringing work to party!<img alt=":P" class="wp-smiley" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; float: left; margin-right: 20px; max-width: 100%; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></div><div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_1520" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: block; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 380px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/srii.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-1520 " height="504" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/srii.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="370" /></a><br />
<div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">Javagal Srinath</div></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;">But Umpire Daryl Harper certainly takes the prize for being the most cordial guest. Obliging fans and guests with pictures and autographs, sharing umpiring and his career tit bits with them and also learning a bit of hindi, he was having a good time indeed. Surprisingly he remarked ‘Shabaash’ after having a brief tete-e-tete with me, for being an ardent cricket fan.</div><div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_1521" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 310px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/harpr.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-1521 " height="225" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/harpr-300x225.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="300" /></a><br />
<div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">Daryl Harper with a guest.</div></div><div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_1522" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: block; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 204px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/neh.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-1522 " height="300" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/neh-194x300.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="194" /></a><br />
<div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">Ashish Nehra</div></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;">Saurabh Tiwary, Dwayne Bravo, Star of the match Kieron Pollard, Dhaval Kulkarni, JP Duminy made up for the Mumbai brigade and were seen enjoying the food and drinks. This party also had a houseful of MTV VJ’s who were having a great time interviewing the players , DJ Aqeel and Arjun Rampal.</div><div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_1524" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: block; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 538px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/mehr.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-1524" height="720" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/mehr.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="528" /></a><br />
<div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">Couple Capers- Arjun Rampal with Mehr</div><div><br />
</div></div>Dishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288436962458432992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658082512060165812.post-53049574540071096752010-03-24T23:50:00.001-07:002010-03-24T23:50:50.253-07:00Indian Party League<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"></span><br />
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;">The Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals After party and Fashion Show was a big hit. After sweating it out on the field the players turned up in full force for the post match bash at the Trident, Nariman Point. Here’s a ring side account of the whole off the pitch action..</div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px; text-align: center;">The Shantanu-Nikhil Fashion show had the likes of Alicia Raut, Shamita Singha, Sucheta Sharma draped in the city’s funky taxi inspired line. As the model walked the ramp in hues of Black and Yellow, the flambouyant Ashish Raheja hooted with pleasure. The bright yellow and black checkered tights, tops, purses and bags complemented the red set up of the ramp quite well.</div><div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_771" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: block; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 230px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/tamm1.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-771 " height="300" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/tamm1-220x300.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 2px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 2px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 2px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 2px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="220" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">Shamita Singha, Candice Pinto, Sucheta Sharma, Alicia Raut</div></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;">The Cheerleaders from Ukraine just added to the glam quotient of the event. Happy to be posing for a few shutterbugs.</div><div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_772" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: block; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 310px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC01116.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-772 " height="225" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC01116-300x225.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="300" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">The cheergirls- A pretty picture</div></div><div class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_855" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 310px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC_0253.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-855" height="231" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC_0253-300x231.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="300" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">Warne-o-Mania</div></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;">The Royals were having a great time at the bar. The likes of Shane Warne, South African Skipper Graeme Smith, Morne Morkel, Shaun Tait had a gala time. Share Warne who is known for his off field antics as much as his on field ones, was having an intense chat with the co-owner of the team. Smith had his girl for company, Damien Martyn, Mascaranhes, Asnodkar, Sidharth Trivedi were engaged in conversations about the match amidst the drinks, at the bar. Managed a few clicks with the spin legend Warne and batting sensation Yusuf Pathan.</div><div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_773" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 310px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC01117.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-773" height="225" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC01117-300x225.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="300" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">Graeme Smith and Morne Morkel</div></div><div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_774" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 310px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC01128.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-774 " height="225" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC01128-300x225.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="300" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">Abhishek J, Damien Martyn, Dimitri Mascarenhas from the Royals</div></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;">With the Mumbai Indians joining the party a bit late, after celebrating their success with their team owners, everyone waited with bated breath for the victorious team comprising our very own Little Master, Zaheer Khan, JP Duminy, Jayasurya among others to arrive. And they did make a beeline with a bang. The ‘oh-so camera shy’ Zak did oblige for a candid picture (a cordial request from me did work)<img alt=";-)" class="wp-smiley" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; float: left; margin-right: 20px; max-width: 100%; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></div><div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_857" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: block; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 232px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC01111.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-857" height="300" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC01111-222x300.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="222" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">Zak makes it possible</div></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;">Had a gala time at the after party with the who’s who of Mumbai’s elite and the best from the cricketing world. wished all the players luck for their forthcoming ties and left feeling a lot awestruck, after meeting the most revered players I ever imagined. 13th March will be one of the very few days etched in the memory of a cricket fanatic like me!</div><div><br />
</div>Dishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288436962458432992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658082512060165812.post-11531122131915887662010-03-24T23:48:00.000-07:002010-03-24T23:48:40.356-07:00Vignettes from the MI-RCB After party<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"></span><br />
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<tr><td><div>Having witnessed the action live at Brabourne with a few of my RCB fan club friends, I just couldn’t wait to capture the moods of the players after the game. RCB,MI after party and Rocky S fashion show at the Trident was quite a hit.</div><div><div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_983" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 160px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC01230.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-983" height="300" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC01230-150x300.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="150" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">Rocky S creation</div></div></div><div><div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_985" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: block; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 310px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC01237.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-985 " height="225" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC01237-300x225.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="300" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">Rocky S with Candice Pinto</div></div></div><div>The whole of Mumbai’s creme de la had come to root for Rocky S. Also spotted were the legendary Vivian Richards daughter Masaba and designer Nshka Lulla, cheering their designer friend.</div><div>The player brigade started joining in the fun soon after. Meeting and congratulating Coach Jennings as soon as I entered the hotel lobby, was a high of sorts for me. Proud of his boys as a mentor and basking in my team’s glory as a fan, the two of us just couldn’t stop gushing about the win.</div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #600000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"></span></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">While the Mumbai Inidans (except Shikhar Dhawan, Duminy, Fernando) gave the party a miss. The Challengers were in a mood to celebrate. Kumble and Dravid made a quick exit, the rest of the team stayed at the bar for a long time.</div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_986" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 310px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC01240.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-986" height="251" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC01240-300x251.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="300" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">Merwe and Steyn</div></div><div class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_987" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 310px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC01242.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-987" height="225" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC01242-300x225.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="300" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">'Caught him' Jonty Rhodes with Mark Boucher</div></div><div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_988" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: block; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 310px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC01137.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-988" height="225" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC01137-300x225.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="300" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">A 'Signature' hit amongst the players</div></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">While the MTV crew, VJ Bani J inclusive got the stylish Coorgi Robin Uthappa for some sound bytes, RCB Community manager Nidhi had Manish Pandey to share a few words about the victory. Pandey certainly was the show stopper off the ramp, with quite a few girls swooning over him.</div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_989" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 310px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC01238.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-989" height="225" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC01238-300x225.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="300" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">Bani J with Robie</div></div><div class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_990" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 235px;"><a href="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC01244.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #600000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-990" height="300" src="http://youvegotspiritz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC01244-225x300.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="225" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">Manish Pandey with RCB community manager, Nidhi</div></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Getting a ring side view of the off field action was a great experience for me. Joined by the four RCB Chiefs and our community manager Nidhi, I almost felt like home, a stark contrast from the other IPL after parties I’d attended.</div></div></td></tr>
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<tr><td><h3 style="color: #600000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"></h3><div>Having witnessed the action live at Brabourne with a few of my RCB fan club friends, I just couldn’t wait to capture the moods of the players after the game. RCB,MI after party and Rocky S fashion show at the Trident was quite a hit.</div><div><br />
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</tbody></table>Dishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288436962458432992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658082512060165812.post-64045095672320638492010-02-23T20:24:00.001-08:002010-02-23T20:26:07.625-08:00A Tale of two FFC's- Fanatics Fans Challenge & Frantic Family CapersLast night while I was commenting on blog post on the <a href="http://royal%20challengers%20bangalore/">Royal Challengers Bangalore</a> site and having a quick look at my vote count at the Fanatic Fans Challenge (FFC), I wasn't slightly amused by what followed next.<br />
<br />
Enter Dad- <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">A RCB Loyalist</span></b><br />
(anxious) "Hey weren't your FFC results supposed to be out today? Are you shortlisted?"<br />
<br />
Enter Mom-<b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">A cricket hater</span></b><br />
(fuming) "Both father-daughter duo aren't bothered about her BE results. When was the last time you checked the Mumbai University result page??"<br />
<br />
Enter Sis (I'm doomed)- <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">A Mumbai Indians supporter and killjoy for me</span></b><br />
(sly grin) "Tell your RCB friends to have all the fun now, after the IPL I'm sure they'll hibernate."<br />
(I hate her for this)<br />
<br />
P.S.<br />
<b><i>Dad</i></b>- Love you,dad. We'll definitely have a great time rooting for our team, just like we've been doing since the past two years. :P<br />
<b><i>Mom</i></b>- Love you too. But please do bear with our madness. Its the IPL season,Ma. My results wont be affected. :)<br />
<b><i>Sis</i></b>- Ah! Arrrgh! Its deja vu for us. Back to the days of 'not talking to each other' everytime RCB or MI wins. Its time for your Sachin vs my Jumbo-Jammy.Dishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288436962458432992noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658082512060165812.post-49728693892451862952010-02-22T01:16:00.001-08:002010-02-22T01:16:16.406-08:00The Game Plays Us<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"></span><br />
<div class="txt" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><i>This post is loosely based on the glorious uncertainties of cricket set against the backdrop of how we Indians <b>'are played'</b> by the game...literally.</i><br />
<br />
Cricket is a funny game. When a player is in, he is actually out on the green facing the bowler. When he is out, he's is in the pavilion. There is a third man, but hey who are the first and second?? And there is nothing so silly about silly point. Paradoxes and unexplained quirks are two of the defining aspects of the game of cricket. In no other sport does one have to take into account so many variables to win a match. In football if the field is muddy the players changes their spikes. In cricket, if its rained the previous day, the entire team composition changes.<br />
<br />
India's love for the gentleman's game is not mere coincidence. We connect to it in a deeper way.<b> Its our culture, religion, our destiny</b>. And I can vouch for my statement, being a witness to, two instances of 'cricketing' stampede. Once when the Indian team was leaving for West Indies, WC 2007, pandemodium ruled as people from across the city thronged the Mumbai airport, way past midnight, for a glimpse of their heroes or demi gods rather. And the second time when we won the inaugural T20 WC, which was the cue for open topped bus ride through Mumbai. No other sport in our country, unfortunately, enjoys such a fanfare.<br />
<img alt="image" height="300" src="http://cdn.royalchallengers.com/ee/images/uploads/woodm2.gif" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="206" /><br />
<br />
The pace of cricket suits us perfectly. The bowler's leisurely walk back to the start of the run up, the lunch and tea breaks, the game unfolding over five days like a raga. Though with the advent of the slam bang version of the game, the raga has been looked upon as a saga. Cricket purists would anyday prefer the men in white under natural light over the men in coloured uniform under floodlights.<br />
Each time the team steps out to play, a few lucky ones make it to the stadium raucously cheering for their heroes, few others hooked to the TV or huddled around the radio sets, employees and bosses alike hunched in front of the PC's following....err Cricinfo <img alt="tongue wink" height="19" src="http://www.royalchallengers.com/ee/images/smileys/tongue_wink.gif" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="19" />, but everyone makes it a point to 'feel the game'. Debates, discussions, predictions and numbers just adding to their mirth. No other sport produces so many numbers, numbers that can be crunched in so many different ways and things. Cricket is layer upon layer of statistics stretching to infinity. And we Indians can argue about their meaning till half past the end of time.<br />
Everytime a Bhajji or a Dhoni strides out onto the field, ten thousand youngsters know that their dreams can come true.<br />
<br />
And the recent IPL bid fiasco also proved that, today cricket is often politics and politics is often cricket, within the game, within regions across the globe. This mesh being pulled tighter overs the years. the sport is now too important politically to be left to cricketers alone.<br />
<br />
I still wonder if cricket was really the British's find. No, it couldn't have been. <img alt="tongue laugh" height="19" src="http://www.royalchallengers.com/ee/images/smileys/tongue_laugh.gif" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="19" /> </div><div><br />
</div>Dishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288436962458432992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658082512060165812.post-40370044098871246682010-02-09T22:33:00.001-08:002010-08-10T07:23:09.455-07:00RCB and I...IPL 2009<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"></span><br />
<div class="txt" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">From no hopers to party poopers, the previous seasons must have been a roller coaster of sorts for all RCB fans. I am no different.More than the inaugral season, IPL 2009 was a remarkable one for me. Of course, RCB's surge to the No. 2 spot does play a major role, but apart from that I had my fair share of experiences trying to catch my favourite team in action.<br />
<br />
Painful dental treatments, maddening college submissions, bets with Mumbai Indians fanatic friends, University exams...I've braved them all. <img alt="smile" height="19" src="http://www.royalchallengers.com/ee/images/smileys/smile.gif" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="19" /> To begin with, the 7:30pm dental appointments for a root canal, annoyingly coincided with the days the Royal Challengers played.Little did I know that my doc was a die hard Dada fan, hence the RCB omission. Then the projects/files submissions,every engineering student dreads them, too failed act as a deterrent. Each time <a alt="kumble" class="acronymlink" href="http://www.royalchallengers.com/player/anil-kumble" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Kumble">Jumbo</a> and Co. won in the league stage and upped their semifinal chances, I had a great time basking in RCB glory while my MI supporter friends went green with envy. <img alt="wink" height="19" src="http://www.royalchallengers.com/ee/images/smileys/wink.gif" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="19" /> Then the University exams which unfortunately spanned over a month while the IPL was on. With my text books in the deep and me glued to SET Max at the slips, my folks had a tough time wondering what was in store for me. Even after the presentation ceremony was over, hour long analysis as to what could have wrong or what clicked for the team, with my RCB loyalist dad and heated arguments with my MI supporter sibling (who always felt RCB matches were rigged) kept me away from books. Somewhere past 1am, with the victory/loss finally sinking in , the '<b>Oh i got my exams</b><b></b>' syndrome creeping in , I used to finally make way for my books burning the midnight oil. Ah...getting all nostalgic now.<br />
<br />
With IPL 2010 on the cards... bigger and better, thanks to RCB FFC, cant wait to don the Red and Gold jersey and watch them take<br />
over the unfinished task, from <b>the ravenous runners ups to coveted champs.</b><i></i><br />
<br />
P.S. Would love to know your RCB experiences. Do leave them as comments.</div><div><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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</script>Dishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288436962458432992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658082512060165812.post-72959993560061886042010-02-09T22:32:00.001-08:002010-02-09T22:32:21.214-08:00Even the rivals are watching us<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><b>Just yesterday the fan club was buzzing with how we fanatics wear RCB'ianism on our sleeves, courtesy Ragunath's post.<br />
And today I get a message from Mr.Anil Srivatsa, CEO, Kings XI Punjab, in reply to one of my posts. Its reads : </b>"<i>Hope I can convert your loyalty to KXIP and get you blog for us in our lions den"</i><br />
<br />
<img alt="image" height="71" src="http://cdn.royalchallengers.com/ee/images/uploads/4332161266_e87823c47a.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="500" /><br />
<br />
<b>With IPL fever catching up and activities at the RCB site at its helm, I'm not remotely surprised by Mr. Srivatsa's comment. Great going!</b></span>Dishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288436962458432992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658082512060165812.post-69128942275520225652010-02-09T22:31:00.000-08:002010-02-09T22:31:05.849-08:00Playground of the Bold and the Beautiful<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"></span><br />
<div class="txt" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Third day into the India-SA test and I haven't got a whiff of the Nagpur clash. Call it withdrawal symptoms...naaa.. its the Signature Indian Derby thats kept me and few other RCB fanatics on saddles and toes, literally <img alt="wink" height="19" src="http://www.royalchallengers.com/ee/images/smileys/wink.gif" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="19" /><br />
<br />
<b>Day 1</b><br />
Gung ho about the covering India's richest racing event, Community Manager Nidhi, Fanatics Mahesh, Niyati and I, were in for some incredible experience at the Mahalaxmi Race Course, Mumbai. Tribute performances to Micheal Jackson and Tina Turner, Europe's leading illusionist- Jay Witlox, The Force India Car, Luxury cars up for grabs, flea market and of course the nail biting horse races, this event had it all. The grandeur and glitz of horse races had never quite beckoned me to follow the sport but after this two day stint at the Derby I add another sport to my existing list of cricket,tennis and F1.<br />
<br />
The four of us being first timers for a racing event, finally got the hang of what was happening by the end of the sixth race. Till then we were too amazed by the octagenarians geared up with binoculars,yelling at their betting prospects,(their zeal could put even the youth to shame <img alt="raspberry" height="19" src="http://www.royalchallengers.com/ee/images/smileys/raspberry.gif" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="19" /> ) ,the who's who of Mumbai's elite posing for the shutterbugs. The horses and mares bearing weird names like Doi Moi, Romantic Impact, Super Kings, Rajastahn Royals, Any time Money to name a few became the hot topic of our discussion. There was entertainment galore throughout the Race Course with performances by international artists and the uber-cool and stylish hub – a state-of-the art air-conditioned hanger was abuzz with activity and a special carnival atmosphere with a tarot card reader, designer stalls- a complete flea market feel.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 2</b><br />
Niyati and I, were joined by her brother, Nishit and Chief Fan Sidharth, on the second day at the race course. The finest thoroughbreds, country's creme de la creme flaunting their haute couture, celebs from the Bollywood brigade this day had it all. And yes..how could I forget the flamboyant owner of RCB Dr. Vijay Mallya and his son Sidhartha Mallya, accompanied by a South actress (pardon my kannada actors know how)<br />
<br />
<img alt="image" height="250" src="http://cdn.royalchallengers.com/ee/images/uploads/DSC00996.JPG" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="500" /><br />
<br />
The 10 races saw the crowd go through the highs and lows as champions and contenders competed for the super prizes and trophies.<br />
'Jacqueline' the record breaking filly was the crowd puller on Day 2 of the derby. The most electrifying event of the day, the Jackpot Race was scheduled at 5:15 pm and the four of us were right there in the front at the gates to capture the biggest race of the season.<br />
<br />
<img alt="image" height="220" src="http://cdn.royalchallengers.com/ee/images/uploads/13036.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="360" /><br />
<br />
The pundit’s predictions and the masses most wanted, Jacqueline, took the winners accolades in 'a come from behind' victory. The filly, owned by Mr & Mrs Vijay B. Shirke, K N Dhunjibhoy and Mr Berjis Desai and trained by Pesi Shroff, powered forward with a last minute burst that took it through the finish line. Bangalore bred Becket the closest competitor to Jacqueline gave way to a startling photo finish. Ah... reminded me of the IPL dark horses, RR,DC and RCB.<br />
<br />
Two fun filled days at the racecourse, couldn't have asked for a better weekend.<br />
<br />
P.S. With too many pics to upload and space constraints here's a better option to have a look at all the action the we managed to capture.</div><br />
<div class="txt" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=145689&id=563974032&ref=nf" style="color: #990000; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photos">Niyati's Photo album</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=146715&id=509574946&ref=mf" style="color: #990000; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="album">My photo album</a></div>Dishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288436962458432992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658082512060165812.post-27246236927080168072010-01-17T22:33:00.000-08:002010-02-09T22:49:34.431-08:00Desperately seeking 'victory'<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"></span><br />
<div class="txt" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Karnataka lost the nailbiting thriller by just six runs. Overall, the great exhibition of cricket between Karnataka vs Mumbai, paved way for a unanimous comment all over "<i>What a Match..!!! Domestic cricket at its best</i>" .Karnataka started the day trailing by a challenging 203 runs with seven wickets in hand, but Pandey's free-flowing innings threatened to turn it into a stroll. <a alt="Manish Pandey" class="acronymlink" href="http://www.royalchallengers.com/player/manish-pandey" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Manish Pandey">Manish Pandey</a>, who got out for a duck in the first innings, fought back his side with a brilliant 144 from 151 deliveries in the second. With 83 required, Iqbal Abdulla claimed Pandey, and the rest of the bowlers took turns in stunning the Mysore full house again and again. Agarkar fittingly took the last wicket, an easy return catch to send back S Aravind.<br />
Oh..A nail biting, nerve wrecking finish! Rightly quoted or should I say Tweeted by Ayaz Memon "<i>Except that this time Mumbai have finished winners. But in an enthralling match like this, there are no losers. Well played K'taka</i>"<br />
<br />
Mumbai reiterated its legacy as one of the best domestic teams in the world after lifting the coveted Ranji Trophy for a record 39th time. They are seven behind New South Wales and eight championship wins ahead of England’s Yorkshire. Commendable feat I must admit. No other side has dominated the national championship as much as Mumbai has done. This can be gauged from the simple fact that after Mumbai, Delhi is the most successful side in tournament's history with just 7 title wins. Karnataka following close with 6 wins in their kitty.<br />
An Excellent game of Cricket...will be remembered for the efforts of the stars of the season (read: A Mithun, <a alt="Vinay Kumar" class="acronymlink" href="http://www.royalchallengers.com/player/vinay-kumar" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Vinay Kumar">Vinay Kumar</a> ,Dhawal, <a alt="Manish Pandey" class="acronymlink" href="http://www.royalchallengers.com/player/manish-pandey" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Manish Pandey">Manish Pandey</a> and Ajit Agarkar)<br />
<br />
<i>The RCB stars who shone were-</i><br />
* <b><a alt="Manish Pandey" class="acronymlink" href="http://www.royalchallengers.com/player/manish-pandey" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Manish Pandey">Manish Pandey</a></b>,he has all the makings of another Sehwag, but he would please a cricket purist too with his timing and placement. It is not only wham, bam after all. And also his extraordinary catch went on to become a Youtube classic, aptly titled as <a href="http://youtu.be/TQAD_ygfS_g" style="color: #990000; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="catch">'The catch of the century'</a> (video enclosed)<br />
*<b><a alt="Abhimanyu Mithun" class="acronymlink" href="http://www.royalchallengers.com/player/abhimanyu-mithun" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Abhimanyu Mithun">Abhimanyu Mithun</a></b>, the leading wicket taker in the series (47) and a 'hit-the-deck' bowler who relies on pace and swears by bouncers and yorkers.<br />
*<b><a alt="Vinay Kumar" class="acronymlink" href="http://www.royalchallengers.com/player/vinay-kumar" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Vinay Kumar">Vinay Kumar</a></b>, following his team mate close with 46 wickets,skittled Mumbai on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy final.<br />
<br />
Brimmimg with talent, hope these youngs guns make it to the national side too (the<a alt="Virat Kohli" class="acronymlink" href="http://www.royalchallengers.com/player/virat-kohli" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Virat Kohli">Virat Kohli</a> way) or atleast to BCCI's list of graded players.</div><div><br />
</div>Dishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288436962458432992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658082512060165812.post-62750482440700214802009-12-30T22:50:00.000-08:002010-02-09T22:56:21.242-08:00A Decade of Perseverance<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"></span><br />
<div class="txt" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Last evening while Team India was at the brink of victory against SL at Cuttack, another set of veteran players were receiving an honour from the CNN-IBN team & the Prime Minister, at Delhi. Indian cricket team, which scaled the peak of Test cricket to break on through to the No. 1 spot for the first time ever, was given a special prize which was collected by former India captains Sourav Ganguly, <a alt="Anil Kumble" class="acronymlink" href="http://www.royalchallengers.com/player/anil-kumble" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Anil Kumble">Anil Kumble</a>, <a alt="Rahul Dravid" class="acronymlink" href="http://www.royalchallengers.com/player/rahul-dravid" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Rahul Dravid">Rahul Dravid</a> along with VVS Laxman and Murli Karthik.<br />
Surprisingly some of them are not even a part of the team today but have been highly instrumental in scripting the No.1 Test status, over the last decade.A culmination of the combined efforts of former players, captains, coaches, the support staff and the administrators. It all started with Dada spearheading the team in 2000, Dravid taking over the baton from him, Kumble stepping in when India was at crossroads and eventually Dhoni leading the pack very ably now.<br />
<br />
<img alt="image" height="360" src="http://cdn.royalchallengers.com/ee/images/uploads/test-captain-ioty-630.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="540" /><br />
<br />
All this made me delve into my archives and contradict a blog I had written in 2007. A blog where I had glorified Dravid's captaincy to epic proportions...a cumulative effect of the fact that I am his ardent fan and was overwhelmed by his stand then. Something that evoked awe and admiration than conviviality. Come to think of it, I feel he hasn't been an extraordinary skipper. Its just that he's used his available resources well. Here's the post -</div><br />
<div class="txt" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b>It is not easy to be a cricketer in India.To be the captain of the Indian Cricket Team is to be the punching bag of the nation. The problem perhaps lies not in the actions of our cricketers but in the aspirations that we choose to place on them. Our cricketers carry the burden of an entire nation's fragile self image.<br />
For the teams' sake <a alt="Rahul Dravid" class="acronymlink" href="http://www.royalchallengers.com/player/rahul-dravid" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Rahul Dravid">Rahul Dravid</a> decided to withdraw from the ICC 20-20 WORLD CUP. For his own sake he's now sacrificed the 'extra-special' privilege of captaining India.both according to me are praiseworthy decisions. After all in world run by power hungry and over ambitious indiviuals who would give up the country's most high -profile and sought after job?<br />
Who would opt out just after winng THE HOLY GRAIL in cricket -A TEST SERIES IN ENGLAND? But even this series win was over shadowed by the much hyped 'follow-on controversy'. Could we read Dravid's actions differently?? Could it not be that, far from wanting to shy away from winning, this was a move sought to cold-bloodedly guarantee the victory??? It requires a particular kind of strength to seal a petty victory rather than leave even a small chance of valorous defeat...!!! There is pattern to Dravid's behaviour, even when he was deputising Ganguly he took the ruthless decision to declare when Sachin was on the verge of a double century. His action could be read as the triumph of business like tough-mindedness over the nobler idealism of sport..!! Likewise India's captaincy contrary to the rosy picture is actually one of the most complicated and unrewarding tasks. Dravid is going away from captaincy on a high! Most of the guys hang on the job coz it gives them extensive media coverage, power over the team-mates and the license to stay on in the team even while not performing. Dravid clearly does not belong to that school. He knows his job well, that he's here to score runs for the team and stay on a winning roll. He'd rather be the best batsman than not-so-good captain and a laidback performer. Now how many can think so far and moreover so SELFLESSLY??</b></div>Dishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288436962458432992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658082512060165812.post-69125249684543452082009-11-23T23:39:00.001-08:002010-01-04T03:25:03.843-08:00Anil Kumble-Captaincy material never tapped<span style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #353535; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11px; line-height: 20px;"></span><br />
<div class="txt" style="font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 15px;">If you ever wondered whether cricket was still a gentleman's game,then one look at Anil Kumble and all your doubts will be allayed. The leader makes his presence felt on and off the field-the team can't help but take their skipper's lead. He managed to script a turnaround for RCB in the second edition of the Indian Premier League.<br />
In his own way <a alt="Anil Kumble" class="acronymlink" href="http://www.royalchallengers.com/player/anil-kumble" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Anil Kumble">Anil Kumble</a> (Read: Jumbo's 5-5 against Rajasthan Royals in IPL-2) has made a statement for elder statesmen in the shortest format of the game. He embodies the fact that playing aggressively does not necessarily mean shouting or creating a ruckus. Instead, his single-minded focus has helped him instill fear in the minds of the rivals.<br />
Kumble first captured the public's imagination by sweeping up wickets with his leg spin. And then by coming out to bowl with a bandaged jaw in a Test match in St John's, Antigua. Apart from that, Kumble has many firsts to his credit if you leave out his wicket tally. He was the first Indian cricketer to quit one form of the game and the first-ever specialist Test captain.<br />
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He was appointed as the Test captain at the end of his career, when India was at a crossroads and Dhoni needed a mentor, for a home series against Pakistan. He went on to win the series, the first home triumph against Pakistan in 27 years, before playing a big role in holding the side together during the controversial series in Australia.But Kumble, always the fighter, tried to build the side into a fighting unit. When Kumble left the international stage, the decision was met with a collective `Why now?' rather than a `Why not?'' from cricket-lovers across the world.<br />
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<img alt="image" height="225" src="http://cdn.royalchallengers.com/ee/images/uploads/kuble_retires.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="500" /><br />
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Jumbo knew his time was up when his hand took time to recover, for him to play for long. He was given a grand send-off but returned to the world stage yet again, on the IPL platform, where his leadership was instrumental in getting RCB to the final in 2009 after a disappointing first season. And more recently, in CLT20, he proved once more that age has no correlation to success in the slam bang version of the game.<br />
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P.S. For the Top 9 bloggers of RCB FFC this topic might ring a bell. We were given this very topic to blog on, from the Press stand of M Chinnaswamy Stadium. <img alt="grin" height="19" src="http://www.royalchallengers.com/ee/images/smileys/grin.gif" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="19" /><br />
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</div>Dishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288436962458432992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658082512060165812.post-22317365706086756842009-09-24T00:20:00.000-07:002009-09-24T00:22:05.082-07:00Season by season, brick by brick!<div>India has always produced several great batting legends and Rahul Dravid is definitely in the top notches of that list. Despite </div><div>making his Test Debut nearly six years after Tendulkar, he did not take time to catch up with the 'Little Master'. By the time Dravid </div><div>was in his early thirties, he was regarded at par with the big league with the likes of Sunil Gavaskar, Vijay Merchant, Sachin</div><div>Tendulkar and others. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Bangalore batsman made a patchy International ODI debut in the Singer Cup match in 1995-96. But he displayed </div><div>an early promise in his first few Test matches. His entry into Test cricket was in remarkable contrast to his ODI debut. </div><div>Nothing short of spectacular, I must say. He missed the opportunity to score a century on debut by a whisker, when he </div><div>cracked an elegant 95 in the Second Test at Lord's in April '96. The 1996 Debut for the awesome twosome who played </div><div>equally well though one (Saurav Ganguly) stole the show because of his magic 3 figures, while Rahul was denied the same, </div><div>falling mere 5 runs short.In the next Test at Notthingham, again coming in at number 7, Dravid scored 84, only to be overshadowed </div><div>by yet another Ganguly century. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>If you can make runs on the English and Australian wickets you are universally regarded as a fine batsman; and Dravid was</div><div> already showing signs that he had the technique to adapt against seam and swing, as well as pace and bounce. Ever since</div><div> his Test Debut he was quickly stereotyped as a technically sound player capable of stonewalling against world's best bowling attacks.</div><div>His ramarkable fitness levels, strength of mind, fierce focus and the ability to adapt to the different conditions enabled him to be the </div><div>dependable and resilient batsman that he is today. There was this notion about Dravid being 'soft' . Nothing can be farther from the truth.</div><div>Beneath the pleasant exterior lurked a ruthless professional.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The year 1997 started off on a high for Dravid courtesy his maiden century in both the forms of the game. After comming off a slump ,</div><div> batting at No. 3 in the third Test in Johannesburg, scored his maiden century with 148 and 81, the top score in each innings to claim his </div><div>first Man of the Match award. His first century coming in a Test away from home, was a sign of things to come. Then taking a cue from Saeed </div><div>Anwar's feat of 194, Dravid notched up his first century in ODI's, at the Chidambaram stadium in Chennai. Three consecutive fifties against Sri Lanka </div><div> and Australia further cemented his stand as a reliable middle-order batsman. His Test average thus spiralled to 61.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Dravid was dropped from the ODI squad in the beginning of 1998. The selectors cited a reson that he wasn't adapting too well</div><div>to the shorter version of the game. He scored his second century in late 1998 against Zimbabwe in a one-off Test match, top-scoring</div><div> in both the innings with 148 and 44, but was unable to prevent an Indian defeat Two fifties against Australia at home and a century </div><div>against Zimbabwe helped Dravid build up an average of 45 by the end of 1998.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Dravid began the year 1999 commendably well with centuries in both the innings in the third Test against New Zealand at </div><div> Hamilton. He became the third Indian batsman after Vijay Hazare and Sunil Gavaskar to score centuries in both innings of a match.</div><div>He then continued his superb form in the ODI's too which later followed. The New Zealand tour was a mere pre-cursor as Rahul </div><div>went on to score two centuries and fifties in the 1999 WC in England thereby shattering a few myths.</div><div> Brilliant knocks at Columbo and Mohali ensured him a moderate session in the subcontinent</div><div>Four Test centuries that year ensured his Test average for that year was over 48.</div><div>This without doubt was his career defining season.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>A classical stroke player who effortlessly blended substance with style. It was a treat to watch him play those pulls and cover</div><div>drives. Glad that he still creates magic when he steps out to bat. His prowess with the bat was not his sole area of specialization though.</div><div> The selfless player that he is, opted to keep wickets to restore the team's balance in ODI's, like a team man to the core. </div><div> He transformed himself into an astute finisher in the middle-order,strung together a series of awe-inspiring performances in </div><div>Test matches as India crept closer ro their quest of an overseas victory. Saving Tests and winning them became second nature to Dravid.</div><div>Greg Chappell has rightly said "History will show that he (Dravid) is one of the best players for anyone, forget India, anywhere, anytime.</div><div>He makes runs anywhere and does it consistently"</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Dravid has taken every inning seriously. It matters little, whether he's batting on a seaming English wicket or a dead track in the </div><div>sub-continent. He just carries on with his job, that is, to score and score heavily at that. The sobriquet 'THE WALL' is accurate as it aptly</div><div>conveys the image of a man who does not let off his wicket easliy. Left to him, he would not like to let off his wicket at all. When it comes to </div><div><i><b>India's number three mainstay, what's in a name you argue. He's not 'God', that three letter word has been associated with Sachin Tendulkar.</b></i></div><div><i><b>So perhaps the reasoning goes , if you must call him something, you might as well call him 'The Wall'. But I personally feel that Dravid is stuck</b></i></div><div><i><b>with that inglorious epithet. 'The Wall' be damned. Rahul Sharad Dravid truly is a hell lot more than that!</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Dishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288436962458432992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658082512060165812.post-4475708333082530452009-09-17T04:42:00.000-07:002009-09-17T04:45:05.151-07:00Cricket Mania(cs) :)<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> I suffer from a curious condition that affects possibly one in a million Indians. I call it cricket phobia and it is characterized by a marked aversion to watching cricket matches. In an IPL crazy country like India, this is something that borders on sacrilege. I have perhaps the unique distinction in my motherland of being the only 22-year-old who has never watched a complete cricket match on television. I remember the tiffin breaks in school when all of us would be eating peacefully. Suddenly, some dolt would exclaim breathlessly, “Did you see X’s catch yesterday? Wasn’t that something?” Before you could say ‘boring’, the entire group would have launched into a frenzied discussion on the highlights of that match. That was my cue to silently steal away like an outcast or else risk slipping into a coma in the next 10 seconds. </div><div><br /></div><div> A few of my close friends worried about me. “It’s not normal to not like watching matches,” one said in a hushed voice, “What will people think?” “Come, we’ll watch the next one together and you’ll discover you love it!” suggested another enthusiastically. I agreed, and the next day a few of us gathered at his place. We switched on the TV set and after what seemed like an hour, I blurted out, “The match is going nowhere! I can’t take this boredom anymore, somebody change channels!” Four surprised pairs of eyes turned towards me. “We’ve been sitting for two minutes and all that has happened is the coin toss. The match hasn’t started yet.” I sank back into the sofa, defeated. I tried so hard. I kept telling myself that watching 15 people stand aimlessly on a patch of green grass was breathtaking fun. I repressed the urge to hurl the popcorn bowl at the TV screen when they showed the slow-motion action replay of Sachin hitting a sixer for the twenty-seventh time. I nodded my head sagely when the commentator talked about ‘technique’ and ‘tactics’. “I really am enjoying myself,” I lied to the friend sitting closest to me. “That part when those two boys sped away on a motorcycle was really a make-or-break moment for our team, wasn’t it?” “That was a bike commercial,” he replied without smiling. The match must have gone on for a couple of hours. I wouldn’t know. I fell asleep after the first over. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>(Piece of Fiction)</div>Dishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288436962458432992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658082512060165812.post-85580876820676401562009-09-16T10:31:00.000-07:002009-09-16T10:35:09.232-07:00THE FOUNTAINHEAD- my take<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; "><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I finished reading The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. I enjoyed reading the book, Ayn Rand is a brilliant writer>and very thoughtful. Her narration might not be as flowery as it can get, how ever it is decent enough to<br />make a very good read. I simply am amazed by her skill when it comes to describing persons state of<br />mind or internal thought. The book in a way is less about characters and more about the under lying ideas<br />of Individualism and Objectivism, while popular impression about the book is that it is about characters.<br />Ayn Rand no doubt is a great mind and a profound thinker, how ever i find her brand of philosophy<br />stipulated by severe short comings. The problem with The Fountainhead is that it tries to champion the<br />cause of her philosophy with the help of a story. As we all know stories can always be twisted and turned<br />to tailor our needs. I would have been in perfect harmony with the author, if the plot took its shape because<br />obviousness of the philosophy and not vice versa. A story should never be made to suit the philosophy to<br />justify itself.<br />Most of her her characters are simply not humans, they are all predictable programmed robots with an<br />agenda. Humans never are never consistent with their thoughts, principles or philosophy. The Protagonist<br />Howard Roark, was glorified to epic proportions, a man whom Ayn Rand promotes as a perfect human<br />soul on Earth. He is arrogant, bold, stubborn, egotist to its extreme, whose soul purpose is life is<br />Architecture. Little does Ayn Rand realize that human life simply is more than achieving excellence in<br />profession, there is simply more to life.<br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Objectivism lays so much emphasis on the individual that if practiced in extreme forms would lead to<br />doom. Look what Hitler did, I think he was supreme form of individualism. The book usually over states or<br />exaggerates the reason behind human logic, thus giving an impression that humans are dirty creatures<br />and people who simply are not creative or talented are worth not living. Eventually its Howard Roark’s<br />talent which bailed him out, not his set of beliefs or his principles as Ayn rand would like us to believe. The<br />court room argument in the climax is as ridiculous as it can get, show me a court of justice where anyone<br />can get away with it, i would hang myself. Howard Roark could afford to be what all he was because he<br />was supremely talented and gifted beyond mediocrity, what should the lesser mortals on the earth do?<br />Howard Roark’s grit and determination are inspiring and is bound to give some solace for those who don’t<br />believe so much in themselves. One more funny aspect with Ayn Rand is that she tries to establish<br />strangest possible relationship between a man and a women. What’s more queer in the book is that the<br />heroine submitting herself to rape and her deriving pleasure from it, and yet maintaining it to be a sexual<br />assault. The book to me was helpful, but it did raise more questions than it answers. Objectivism has its<br />limitations, it simply is not as practical as it is touted to be.<br />Can you miss this book because it is flawed? No, Its definitely worth giving a thought. My final say is A<br />Flawed book by a Brilliant, but flawed writer.</span></div>Dishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288436962458432992noreply@blogger.com0