OIL SPILL

Elite lobbying mill
Gather at Capitol Hill
With ever greedy zeal
To turn exploration wheel
Drill Baby Drill
So what, Oil Spill can Kill

Regulators in rackets
Media magnets in jackets
Politicians in pockets
Ready to dilute any bill
Drill Baby Drill
So what, Oil Spill can Kill

Flaunt private jets & Mercedes
Sing self regulation melodies
Deny human made tragedies
Demand fat bonuses and chill
Drill Baby Drill
So what, Oil Spill can Kill

Pollute blue sky
Enrol specialists to lie
Scare public to comply
Collude with secret deals
Drill Baby Drill
So what, Oil Spill can Kill

If we can,
Enforce high safety standards
Avoid environmental blunders
Muster courage and political will
Enact appropriate compensation to heal,
Then, Drill Baby Drill
But, no more Oil Spill

© Deepak L. Waikar, June 2010

Battle with terrorists

Enough of being so innocent
Now we have to be extra vigilant
Those who exploit such situations
Find and teach them deadly lessons

Enough of falling preys to false promises
Now we have to be very cautious
Those who break promises after promises
Identify and sack them from offices

Enough of tolerating impotent attitude
Let us not become helpless destitute
Every Indian’s inner strength & power
Awaken one by one with vigour

Enough of enduring carnage after carnage
Let us not remain in bondage
Every seed of terrorism
Root it out without scepticism

Any obstacles in national security goals
Let us overcome with courage
Every enemy of the country
Wipe them out for victory

Dedication: This poem is dedicated to brave security personnel who fought terrorists and the victims of 26-28 November 2008 terrorists attack in Mumbai as well as similar previous attacks all over the world

Deepak L. Waikar
November 29, 2008

What Love is ...?

What is love ...?
If you were / are / will be in love, then please read following poem.

Love is ...

Love is joyful
When humour is there
Love is playful
When flirting is there

Love is cheerful
When smile is there
Love is careful
When stranger is there

Love is wonderful
When feeling is there
Love is beautiful
When heart is there

Love is plentiful
When sharing is there
Love is blissful
When romance is there

Love is painful
When selfishness is there
Love is harmful
When lust is there

Love is faithful
When trust is there
Love is powerful
When sacrifice is there

Love is truthful
When purity is there
Love is prayerful
When spirit is there

@© Copyright: Dr. Deepak L. Waikar (dlwaikar@yahoo.com)

Please let me know your views/comments/suggestions/amendments.
with best wishes
Deepak

ICC Championship Trophy Qualifying round

ICC Championship Trophy Qualifiers

The Qualifying matches amongst 4 teams (Sri Lanka, West Indies, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh) were played from 6-14 October 2006 in India. As expected, Sri Lanka and West Indies qualified, beating the weaker Bangladesh and Zimbabwe teams. The defending champions (West Indies), crumbled against the Sri Lankan bowling attack, and were bowled out for a pathetic score of 80 runs in 30.3 overs. None of the legendary players, like Lara, Sarwan and Chanderpaul, were able to prevent them from being bowled out for a humiliating total. In contrast, Sri Lanka put their signature in just 13.4 overs to dominate the qualifying rounds.

Group A consist of India, Australia, England and West Indies whereas as in group B the teams are South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The defending champions have a daunting task ahead of them, even to qualify from their tough group.

The group stage matches have started on 15th October, with England playing India.

Will the Indian team be able to capitalize on home advantage? Well, all that depends on whether the players focus on the revenue earning advertisements or preparations for cricket matches as well as continuation of protracted experiments by Coach Greg Chappell. Another unforgettable factor is the weather. All the Indian hearts (home and abroad) will be beating and praying as their team plays various matches.

Prashant Deepak Waikar
Oct, 15, 2006

Nuclear Test by North Korea

North Korea (NK) blasted as well as gambled her way into the nuclear club presumably to pressure USA. As usual world leaders expressed their disappointment through statements in media and some even threatened about dire consequences to NK. UN Security Council passed two resolutions, first to condemn it and second for limited economic sanction against NK. It is now clear that veto wielding China and Russia objected to tougher sanctions under chapter 7 of UN charter. It is also public knowledge that China, Pakistan, USA and Russia have helped NK one way or other in her pursuit for nuclear arms.

If NK survives and somehow becomes a tool of USA like Pakistan seemingly for war against terror, then other aspiring nations are likely to take gamble to join nuclear race.

Media has reported that Iran, Egypt, Israel, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia are likely candidates for peaceful use to begin with and deterrence subsequently. Bushes are on fire and Hu-Putins are ensuring that it continues to burn.

Welcome to the wonderful nuclear world.

Deepak Waikar
Oct., 15, 2006

Cricket - DLF Cup Tri-Series 2006 - Final ODI (Australia Vs. West Indies)

The final match of the DLF Cup between Australia and West Indies was held on Sunday September 24, 2006 at the Kinkara Oval Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Both teams fielded their best 11 for the match. Michael Clarke and Shane Watson were included in the Australian side. The West Indians made no changes. The toss was won by Ricky Ponting who opted to bat. Out came the opening pair, Watson and Katich to get the days play underway.

The start was tentative, as there was some lateral movement off the wicket early on. Katich was extremely slow to get off while Watson made a steady start. Using the field restrictions to his advantage, Watson effectively used the lofted drive over extra cover to score some much needed runs. However his heroics were short lived as he edged a Bradshaw delivery straight into the hands of 1st slip Chris Gayle. Katich was joined by skipper, Ponting. His stay at the crease for limited to a short period having been judged L.B.W. off a Jerome Taylor delivery that kept low. By the 14th over the score was 37-2.

Martyn joined Katich at the crease and they managed to put on 43 runs. Katich was the next to fall. He found the going tough during his 66 ball vigil at the crease, in which he managed only 25 runs. He did however, hit one glorious six out of the park over extra cover. Martyn in the process was knocking the ball around trying to up the tempo. He played the bowling based on its merit, giving short pitched bowling outside off stump the rightful treatment.

With the score on 80-3, Symonds joined Martyn in the middle. He was sent ahead of Clarke with the intention of upping the run rate. Symonds however found the slow nature of the wicket rather tough to deal with and bided his time. In the process meanwhile, Martyn marched on to his half century before mistiming a lofted off drive into the hands of Morton. By that time, Symonds had found his feet and marked his arrival with 2 huge sixes and 2 boundaries. Upon reaching his 50, he too fell, mistiming a quicker delivery by Sarwan into the hands of the fielder at the square leg fence Runako Morton.

With the score on 173-5, Hussey joined Michael Clarke and they continued to pinch the singles and doubles. Within 5 overs, 200 was on the board. Clarke, however, was foxed by Sarwan and caught by Gayle for 23. Haddin joined Hussey as they prepared to mount one final assault. And, assault they did with 2 sixes and 2 boundaries damaging the bowling figures of Dwayne Bravo in particular. The final score was 240-6. Credit must be given to Ian Bradshaw for an impressive 2-30 in his allocated 10 overs. Also noteworthy is the West Indian fielding, putting in their best effort to save as many runs as possible.

Much was expected of the West Indian run chase, with Gayle, Lara and Chanderpaul in good touch. However, it was not to be as Brett Lee struck 1st ball, a vicious in-swinging yorker that smashed into Gayle’s toe. It didn’t take the umpire too long to judge him LBW on this occasion. Chanderpaul looked good for his 12 caressing 2 fours before mistiming an incoming delivery of Nathan Bracken into the hands of Katich. Bracken struck again, trapping Morton LBW for naught. Skipper Lara fell not long after caught behind off the bowling a fired up Nathan Bracken. By the 16th over the Windies were in disarray at 32-4.

Ramnaresh Sarwan was the only the only man who held up to the onslaught. Before long Bravo and Hinds also fell and the men from the Caribbean were in dire states at 56-6. Dwayne Smith joined Sarwan and put on 50 runs for the 7th wicket. However, it was just too little too late. Sarwan fell for 36 with the score on 106 and not long after the team crumbled to 113 all out, a rather dismal display. The Aussies won by 127 runs dominating in all fields.

The man of the match award went to Brett Lee who put up another scintillating display of fast bowling finishing with 4 wickets in the match and 12 for the series. He was rightfully given the man of the series trophy and cheque for his consistency over the 3 matches he was involved in.

The Australians ended their visit to Malaysia with yet another trophy in their bag, reaffirming their position as world champions.

Rahul Deepak Waikar
25th Sept., 2006

Crickt DLF-Cup Tri-Series 2006 (6th ODI India Vs. Australia))

Cricket: DLF Cup Triangular Series 2006: Summary of 6th ODI (India vs Australia) played on 22nd Sept. 2006 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Top guns who have jointly scored over 75 ODI centuries under their names and world’s supposed to be most experienced Indian batsmen likes of Sachin, Sehwag, Dravid, Kaif and Dhoni once again could not hold nerves to surpass moderate total of 213 runs against Australia in the 6th ODI held on 22nd Sept., 2006 and lost by 18 runs. It is a shear lack of mental strength, stamina and planning, in critical matches like this one, has deprived Indian team from winning major international tournaments.

Indian bowlers succeeded the third time in this triangular series to restrict opponents to a reasonable score. The Aussies were all out for 213 in 49th over by combined efforts of bowling and fielding by Indians. Haddin and Hogg contributed to very crucial 77 runs partnership for the 7th wicket otherwise the Aussies could have been bowled out for less than 200 runs. Anyway, the bowlers had done their job and now it was over to the batsmen.

Sehwag and Sachin had cautiously taken India in double figures and Sachin got out for mistimed shot to a rising delivery from Brett Lee (earlier in a dramatic fashion Sachin was given out caught behind on the bowling of aging McGrath and was recalled by umpire probably after seeing reaction from Sachin and action reply on big screen which clearly showed that there was no contact of ball with bat or gloves. As per cricket rules umpire promptly corrected his mistake and Indian fans were delighted. The Australian captain Ricky Ponting was seen to be visibly upset and arguing with umpire. In the spirit of the game of cricket, he should have set a better example by recalling Sachin rather than arguing with the umpire) and the Aussies were jubiliant. Sehwag became the next victim of the spirited Brett Lee, when a fast in swinging delivery ripped through the gap of bat and pad. He was out almost in a similar way against WI in the previous match. The score was 20 for 2 for India, what a poor start again, 2 top guns failed to fire.

With Kaif and Dravid on the crease, a recovery looked to be in the process. Kaif scored 2 boundaries. Dravid seemed to be biding his time in an attempt to get back the magical touch that he has been well known for over these years. Alas, the partnership was short-lived with Kaif falling for 21, thanks to superb reflex catch by Stuart Clark of his own bowling. India in a spot of bother with the score 47-3. To make matters worse, Dravid fell in few minutes after Kaif, judged LBW off Clark’s bowling and put India in deep trouble at 50-4, as the renowned players of the formidable Indian batting lineup once again shattered hopes of crores of Indian fans. Credit must be given to the Australian bowlers, namely Clark, Lee and McGrath for applying the pressure on the Indians and making the runs hard to come by, and sure enough, they were more than rewarded with four prize wickets.

In came Mongia and Raina. The situation called for calm and controlled approach to batting. The required rate was approximately 4.5 an over and all that was required to stroke the ball around for singles and belt the odd bad ball to the boundary. Initially, Mongia and Raina were approaching their innings in exactly that manner. Raina played some classy strokes, including a cover drive that pierced the extra cover gap and raced away to the fence and a six over mid wicket that was effortlessly executed through timing alone. Mongia meanwhile was biding his time picking up the singles and rotating strike. Ponting recognized the danger that this pair posed and made a masterful change by introducing Brad Hogg into the attack. On a slow low turning track, Hogg’s subtle variations such as chinaman, the flipper as well the conventional leg break proved to be quite a handful for Raina. Before long, his frustration at not being able to put Hogg away became evident and he was bowled attempting a cut shot to the incoming chinaman. This was the last thing India needed as this pair was cruising along rather aptly. It was an immature way of getting out, as Raina failed to alter his temperament to suit the situation. He has been getting out in 20s and 30s quite often and not showing patience and caliber to convert some of them into big score especially in such circumstances. In came, to the joy of the Kuala Lumpur crowd as well Indian fans back home, Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

With the score on 96-5, Mongia started to assume more responsibility and in turn wielded some magnificent shots. Some of the shots included a punch through cover of the back foot, a Brad Hogg delivery swept from outside off stump to the fine leg boundary and a straight drive that beat the despairing dive of McGrath at mid off. And to the crowd’s joy, it was not long before Dhoni joined the fun smashing a huge six straight down the ground. At 150-5, it looked like India would march on to victory with ease, especially with Dhoni and Mongia getting into the act. Then yet another timely change by the skipper Ponting, and on came a prolific wicket taking bowler, Brett Lee. Instantaneously, he struck, luring Dhoni to play a cut shot to an incoming rising delivery straight into the hands of the man at the sweeper boundary. Controversially, a look at the action replay showed that Lee had over stepped. Whatever the case, Dhoni failed to, like Raina, curb his instincts for the cause of the team.

The Indian tail was exposed once again as they still needed another 55 runs to win the match. It was time for Mongia to take charge of the situation by taking as much strike as possible. Sachin also made similar error of judgment against the Windies on 20th Sept., 2006. As and when Mongia was the facing batsman, the Australians opened up the field and gifted Mongia an easy single, a bait which the Indians gleefully accepted. The tail end batsmen were exposed and one by one they fell striking bowlers Hogg and Lee. Agarkar was plumb L.B.W. to a Brad Hogg flipper that was directed to the middle of stumps. Not long after, Harbhajan Singh fell, judged caught behind off the bowling of Andrew Symonds. Television replays with the aid of the snicko-meter revealed that there was no contact between bat and ball. However, this would not have come about if Mongia had opted to turn down the easy single. Before long, the tide turned against the Indians as the score was slumped to186-8. Mongia seemed clueless to the Aussies plan and looked indifferent to the collapse that was ongoing in front of him, for he continued to give the strike to R.P. Singh and Munaf Patel. And if the stars of the Indian lineup were no match for the pace and swing of Brett Lee, then need we say anything about tail end batsmen? To the huge disappointment of millions of Indian cricket fans, the Indian team was all out for 195 in 43.5 overs and fell short by 18 runs.

The Indian run chase was a rather disappointing display, for it showed a lack of determination from the top order (perhaps Mongia excluded) as well as a lack of intelligence from Raina, Dhoni, Mongia and the rest of the tail for being outsmarted by the Aussies. And due credit must be given to the Australians, for the captain who made the right bowling changes, for the bowlers, who stuck to the task and executed the plan and for the team as a whole for not giving up even when defeat looked ominous. As expected, the man of the match was deservedly conferred upon Brett Lee for a superb display of fast bowling. His figures were an awesome 8.5 overs, 5 wickets for 38 runs. The Indians have been sent packing and rightly so, for their performance has been lackluster and feeble in front of a consistent West Indian side and a determined Australian team.

Final match for the DLF cup will be played on 24th Sept., 2006 between West Indies and Australia in Kuala Lumpur. Let us hope for an interesting and entertaining match, obviously the team that plays better be crowned with DLF cup.

With the champion’s trophy around the corner, Indians need to review their performance and quickly learn from their blunders and errors.

Rahul Deepak Waikar
Deepak Laxmanrao Waikar
Sept. 23, 2006