After 28 years...

The last time India won a cricket world cup was even before I was born, and it happens again today. Though I could watch the live match only in bits and pieces, the feeling is beyond imagination. Though living in a country far far away, the heart always stays at home.

If I, who was a mere spectator catching the match on my computer, could feel so tensed, imagine the tremendous pressure mounting on the whole team, specially on the skipper Dhoni. Dhoni is beyond imagination a composed guy. Its very rare for him to show extreme reactions, be it joy or pain, that too in the course of a game like cricket. I wonder how he handles the pressure of such kind of matches with such ease. He truly is a big inspiration.

The team spirit that the guys showed was evident. Apparently this victory wouldn't have been possible without the feeling of oneness in the team, each of them were focussed on nothing but getting the cup home. Fantastic!

Even though Sachin's contribution in today's game wasn't really significant, every member of the team was happy for the most outstanding player, who has played for the country for more than 20 years and yet this was his first world cup victory, that too at his home ground. What more could anyone want, but of-course in one corner of the heart we wanted him to complete his 100 100s in one-day cricket. With such victory today, we'd better feel more than gratified for what was achieved today.

I remember of times when Dhoni, was highly criticized for the team's poor performance in a lot of matches(dont remember which of them or when), despite the fact that he did win the T20 world cup. He was condemned for a lot of his decisions. He did take a lot of crucial decisions in the last couple of matches in the world cup, like replacing Ashwin with Nehra/Srisanth or he batting in the upper-middle-order today, which he mentioned during his captain's talk. He said his decisions luckily worked out, in a very sarcastic tone. I would not be surprised if people criticise him again, forgetting the world cup he got for the country after 28 years. Success is not permanent(in-fact nothing is). Please respect it.

Not to forget what Sangakara spoke. He said he was disappointed, but happy that the better side won. Not sure what, but there was something in him that I thought, made him look very dignified and poised.

I heard some people saying that the 1983 and 2011 calender are the same. Not sure whether to call it time or destiny or the team's hard work or the combination of destiny and hard work at the right time, that made them taste success. Like we've always heard, nothing comes easy :)

India vs US

No, I'm not talking about a cricket match(When did America gather the guts to play cricket against India!!!)...

I am just missing home, specially more on the eve of an Indo-Pak World Cup semifinal, when people out there are having so much fun with all the hype on tv, wierd/funny SMSes and every person talking of nothing else but cricket.

Not that US is a bad place to live in, it is, in fact a very good place to be in, but just that I feel more secure at home. Reason? Why should I even have a reason to feel secure whilst at home!

Infact people here are very helpful and warm, but still my heart wishes that I were home, with my family and friends. Those after-office conversations at home, late night phone calls, visiting relatives, hanging out with friends, attending weddings, most importantly, being there when they really need you!

Is the weather here bad? Not at all, very pleasant in fact, but I miss those sunny days and the craving for ice-creams, tender coconut water, sodas, juices, etc!

Is life very hectic here? No way, I have all the time on earth, but I liked it better when I thought I didn't have enough time for myself, and I didn't have to research on the purpose of life either :)

Am I finding it tough to manage the house? Not a chance. Its hardly dirty, so less cleaning, less time to cook, drying clothes and dishwashing is automated as well, yet, I miss laying traps to catch the mouse, getting rid of ants, hunting cockroaches and lizards.

Don't I get good food here? Very good food, infact. Mexican, Itallian, Thai and what not? But I still haven't spotted a place where I can get real good veg biryani, which I can get at every other road in Chennai. More than missing my family and friends, I miss eating at all the restaurants. For a fact, McD at India is tastier, catering more to our kinda tastes. There are also the pizzahuts, dominos, subways, starbucks, to name a few. What more is needed? And who would want to miss all the festival and wedding feasts?

Are there no lakes/beaches? Plently of them, but the visit is never complete without the "molaga bajji" .

All English movies release first in the US(lots of them release in India simultaneously), but even before I catch up with them here, my friends in India do.

Known fact is that all new technologies are available in the US markets first. I read reviews, talk to people who have used it, look up for deals and finally decide on buying a new product. When I announce my decision to my friends in India, I find that two of them are already using it and advise me if its worth buying it or not.

Gone are the days when my aunt used to live in Canada and we waited every summer, for her India visit, curious to know what "foreign goods" she's got for us. When I had to visit India last year, I called a few people to ask if they needed something from the States, and they laughed out saying there's nothing that the Indian markets don't have, that I can get from America.

I feel I'm living a life without purpose(Not that I achieved something great while in India, but ateast had the feeling :)

Mother India, I beseech that thou take me into thine arms soon!

.....And not forgetting to give all the wishes to Team India,

GO INDIA GO!!!