The tipping point for hockey!

Finally it has happened! India fails to qualify for the Olympics in hockey after losing to Britain 2-0 in Chile and has hence been disqualified to go to the Beijing Olympics. http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/007200803101757.htm The once national game of India has been reduced to a group of mismanaged, under-coached, de-spirited bunch of players. Blaming the players immediately may not be the wise thing to do. But they should still do an introspection of what went wrong. The government on the other hand should create an incentive laden sports program that encourages kids at high school level to participate in various sports not just for getting a government desk job in sports quota but actually represent the country at international events.

We have had enough of cricket, [I'm a cricket fan and still play cricket now in my 30s] but too much of anything is too bad. Having seen the sports scene in the US at high school levels, not just the participation by the studetns, but by their parents, supporters, fans, media and community makes me wonder when will such a thing happen in India.

China beats India again!

China has just added another category in the things that it beats India on. CORRUPTION!

Read this.

Given the nature of government [or the lack of it] it is obviously more prone to corruption and red tape and political dis-empowerment of the citizens. So it is no surprise that China leads in the corruption index as well. But the real question is how much of China's corruption actually affects the common man there. For example corruption exists in so many western developed nations but happens at a high level. The ripple effect of it probably doesnt reach the common man or if it does, the effect on the common man is not as serious as it is in India.

In contrast, although corruption index ranks India 8th, the common man, the poorest citizens are depraved of their rights mostly due to corruption at the grassroots level or due to their general illiteracy.