The biggest sports event of the year is on air. We all know that cricket is treated like a religion in our country and we can’t see our country lose. But if a typical Indian fan is asked about winner preferences, any guesses what would be his reply?

Anyone but not Pakistan!

This is the way a major chunk of Indian fans feels. I would like to share a conversation I had with one of my close friend. I completely agree with all his answers and feel that he spoke the mind of real Indian fans. An abridged version of our conversation is reproduced below.

First question: Whom do you want to be the winner of world cup?

Prompt came the reply. No prizes for guesses, its one and only “India”.

Second Question: If not India, tell me who should it be?

A tough one but I am sure every cricket fan in India agrees with my friend’s answer – “Anyone but not Pakistan”. I was eager to know the reason for his answer and wanted to hear the feelings of a true Indian Fan. I knew he had no logical reasons and ultimately gave me an absurd one that we had never lost a single match with arch rivals Pakistan in any of the world cup and we want the trend to continue.

I feel the reason is that our world cup ends as we defeat PAK. We don’t think beyond it. And we go to the extent of saying “Pakistan ko harra diya, hamne to world cup jeet liya.”

What if we lose to PAK in this world cup? It is going to be real tough for Indian squad.

Third Question: Who is your third preference?

“Anyone but not Australia”. Sensing my anxiety to know the reasons this time he gave a little logical answer. We want Australia to be crushed because they are winning matches non-stop, which is making the game a bit boring and one-sided. We want to see someone who can defeat Aussies, who at this juncture are tagged as ‘undefeatable’. Secondly, the attitude of Australian team does not go well with the spirit of the game (Sharad Pawar and Ricky Ponting Incident). The attitude of Australian team is giving rise to more critics than fans. This shows that besides being a good team, spirit of the game is also necessary to have a strong fan following.

Last and the toughest one: What if there is a final match between PAK and Kangaroos’?

He was mum for few seconds and finally uttered “Amit! You are a tough nut to crack. Don’t get my nerves out.” I knew the answer but wanted a real Indian cricket fan to speak out his heart. I don’t feel the answer needs to be put into words and so leave the question open for you.

Just put entire set of questions to yourself and see if the answer tallies with those mentioned above. I had been watching cricket match since time immemorial and can trace back my memory to 1992 when India thrashed West Indies in the Hero Cup. Even I used to make it a point that I don’t miss a single match till 1996 world cup nightmare (India vs. Sri Lanka). If we go back to 1996 world cup nightmare, we had almost lost the match when Vinod Kambli came out to bat and ultimately the match was declared in favor of Lankans due to disturbance from the crowd.125K cricket fans go pin drop silence in jam packed Eden Gardens. Just like Kambli, tears started running down my cheeks and I still remember the words of PAPA, “What’s wrong with you? Why the hell are you crying?” I stopped watching cricket match after that incident but the fire is still there and I too want history (25th June, 1983) to repeat.

May our team come home with the world cup! Amen!

Being a teacher I would like to present my dissatisfaction regarding X Board examinations to be made optional. Earlier there were a set of obligations and targets for the students which they achieved by studying hard and getting good marks in board examinations.

But, with the decision of making boards for Class X optional all this process would come to an end. No more healthy competition would be visible as in a bid to ease stress, CBSE forgot about student’s personal development. If this decision is implemented then the value of CBSE Certification would decline on its own.

The change in curriculum would decline the quality of the examination. Previously about 15% of questions were short and 35% to 45% were long answer questions based on mental ability and remaining were very long questions which now would change into 40% short questions and MCQ’s.

One more negative effect of this would be policy of favoritism. The students who are teacher’ pets would be benefited and the deserving candidates would suffer. This would disturb the atmosphere of the class and the mindset of the students.

The future of our country depends on those little hands which are nurtured by the seeds of education. They are like plants which need extensive care and dedication at every stage of their growth.

We should try to provide them with everything they need to make them capable for dealing with hindrances that come in future. By making exams optional we are taking away an opportunity from our future to improve.

Technological advancements of the present scenario have made everything easy and sophisticated for use. In fact, everything needed is available at the touch of a button. We are leading a much more relaxed life than our ancestors.

Our body is such that if we do not work or if we work excessively, we get ill. Heart attack is one of the gifts of an unhealthy lifestyle. People usually get entangled in the wide web of this disease because of intake of junk food. But it is not the sole reason for the disorder. Hypertension, excessive work or no work may also lead to heart attacks.

A recent study performed by Dr. Anoop Mishra, Prof. of medicine, AIIMS provides us with a useful piece of information. According to him, Indians between the age groups of 30’s and 40’s are more prone to attacks as compared to the western countries. Though the ever- pervading industrialization of materialism is an imitation of Western Civilization only. We have become much obsessed with it. And in the rat race of making money, we forget that “Health is Wealth”.

One of the preventive measures which would prove fruitful is inculcating the habit of doing things manually. One should not completely depend on the gadgets. A balanced diet containing a proper amount of vitamins, minerals, proteins and carbohydrates, less cholesterol can serve as another key to success. Moreover, regular exercise, meditation and yoga will accelerate the process of recovery and also lead to a healthy and prosperous life.

As “Prevention is better than cure”, one should start taking care of oneself before one gets victimized.

Certain companies very presumptuously put advertisements in the newspapers, magazines or in the form of banners boasting of free Pizza delivery if they fail to deliver within the specified time (like 30 minutes). Has anyone tried to even think about the source that funds these free pizzas? No what is the need to think about it? After all you get a free pizza to munch on.

The staggering reality that I would like to bring to your notice ……The delivery boy is made to pay for the pizza you relish with a delight at your home boasting you got it free. They are paid very less wages and in case of deductions the amount becomes insufficient to support their families.

Delivery boys face high risk of traffic to give you timely delivery as they are concerned about their salary deductions. The life and safety of these pizza delivery boys is put on stake. These risks are unheeded by both the Pizza Shop Management and the Pizza Delivery Boy.

Being human beings we should take care that this exploitation should stop. Just put yourself in their situation and feel the miseries they face. We should stop availing the home delivery system where a person may risk his life to offer you services.

What is happening to the world? Has the modernity and advancement made the value of human life so cheap? Think about it and take steps to bring about a change in the world where everything occurs in perfect order without any exploitation and suffering.