The two World Cups

This weekend, two of the biggest sporting events (for me) are starting. First the Cricket World Cup. Technically it has already started but the first match of India is on the 17th. And second, the 2007 Formula One season is starting at the same time with the first race on the 18th in Australia. This year there are quite a few similarities between these two sports. With the retirement of Michael Schumacher the F1 championship is open. You can always argue that other drivers had already taken his position. But it was only on a bad day for Schumacher or due to technical failure in the car. The grit and determination of the man was unmatchable.

Many changes have been made in this year's championship. Rules have been changed concerning safety cars, practice sessions, tire availability etc. Bridgestone will be the sole tire supplier this year. Those of who complained about tires being the most important thing in the race and downplayed the achievement and skill of drivers can now shut up. Sadly there will be no close contests between Alonso and Schumacher. The latter will be though racing through each track in his mind. The shifting of the drivers between teams is also going to be interesting. No more Montoya for McLaren. In fact he has retired from F1 and gone to Nascar. Alonso takes his place. Raikonnen has similarly shifted from McLaren to Ferrari. He will partner upcoming driver F. Massa. (Hoping for a good run from Massa this year. He showed some potential last year.) As far as teams are concerned, I guess at the beginning of the season the three top teams are likely to be Ferrari, Renault and McLaren (in no particular order). Lets see how the season picks up.

My picks for the drivers championship - Alonso, Raikonnen, and maybe Fisichella. Even Jenson Button is lurking in the shadows.

The similarity with the Cricket World Cup is that again here Australia is no longer the clear favourites. Seeing the recent performance of the Aussie team, it seems that many other teams can win over the world champions on a good day. Ricky Ponting will have his hands full this year. Preaching about the Indian team is like talking to a child who doesn't listen. The same old people making the same old mistakes. I could write a lot about the cricket team but I'll just shut my mouth and watch the matches. Dada, a lot depends on you now. You have a thing or two to prove.

Adios to one and All the best to the other two.

Man who would be God

Here's a simple test for the person who is claiming to be God. Give him a wildcard entry to Kaun Banega Crorepati. Let's see if he clears the fastest finger first round. If he doesn't let him go back to his job (if he still has it). If he does, at least the money will cure some of his delusion.

The changing colours of India

While passing through the main bazaar road of Vapi, I saw many shops selling Holi wares - water guns, gulal, colour powders etc. Children were pestering their parents to buy the latest water guns and choicest colours to spray on their friends. What was interesting is that most of these shops are divided into two areas, an inner area which is the main shop, where they sell their usual stuff; and an outer temporary stall where they sell certain things according to the season. In Diwali, the colours are replaced by fire-crackers; in Ganesh Chaturthi, idols of Ganapati are placed; in the monsoon, umbrellas hang out in the shops. Also its not that only a certain kind of shops use this strategy. Among the ones I saw were a mobile shop, a cosmetics store, an electrical store, even the old Writer stores which usually sells mouse traps among other things. It is interesting to see the owners (cleverly) supplement their income through these temporary stalls. Seeing the changing facade of these shops gives a fleeting glimpse of the changing colours of the festivals of India.