As I got on the express train to New York City from Washington DC on a
business related day-trip, I had no idea that I would be reading some good and
bad news in an hour's time. As I drove to station, I called my Amma to
talk to/check on her - she was busy with my niece who is spending her summer
holidays with Amma and Nana. My feeling was its going to be a long day -
so get myself some rest on train before my actual work day begins at client
site.
However, I couldn't resist the temptation of internet on the train - can work for a while and browse internet. On opening NDTV website, 3 news items caught my attention - earthquake in Indonesia, death of baby Afreen and Yuvraj's press conference (in the specific order). So I started to read the articles -
Earthquake - 8.6 on Richter scale - lots of energy released from Earth's crust. However, the initial reports suggests the shock waves spread horizontally - not an ideal scenario to generate threatening Tsunamis. Looks like the ones that hit Andaman Islands was no more than 3.5 ft high - not as dangerous as a typical 8.6 quake with vertical release of energy could have caused. Good for everybody. However, all the governmental agencies are acting swiftly through out the region to meet any situation. Its a natural event - man has no control on it other than just to react. May no loss of life happen.
Baby Afreen - Such a sad story. My eyes couldn't stop tearing up as I read this story. What happened to mankind? Why hurt someone who cannot defend themselves - a baby of all 3 months old. If the father did not like baby girl, he had other alternatives such as giving up for adoption, going to a religious organization that takes care of orphaned children. There was no need to show such cruelty. Reading through the comments, there is so much outburst from readers - some even asking to do exactly same things to the father as he did to the child. Other comments were little more sane - should have gave up for adoption. First Baby Falak... now Baby Afreen. My only plead is - this should be end of it. I feel ashamed of such events and feel responsible for the act as well by being part of the larger society. Hopefully, common sense will prevail and we dont get to read one more story like this. Its a human act - should be controlled at all costs.
Yuvraj's press conference - What a flamboyant cricketer in the recent years who wouldn't take any taunts from opposition side lightly. Players from opposing team didnt want to enrage him any more after Yuvraj-Flintoff spat in first T20 World Cup. Anyone who thought it was just a flash in the pan were proved wrong after 2011 World Cup. Such a frightened and respected cricketer on the ground. Off-ground, one cannot associate him with mild manners - as if cheerful/mischievous nature and Yuvraj are synonyms. As someone rightly said, braver people face braver battles in the life. Yuvraj is brave for sure. After shining in the 2011 World Cup triumph with Man-of-the-Series crown, the prince was diagnosed with rare form of germ cell cancer. As a true warrior, he won the battle - defeated cancer after couple of rounds chemotherapy sessions. Now, Yuvraj is back in the country and held a press conference today to reveal what he has gone through in last year. How such a passionate warrior felt helpless when he was diagnosed with cancer - seeking comfort from his mother just like a small kid and wishing it will be over soon. Yuvraj - you won the battle. Your story shows how life take turns in such a short period of time. Your story shows how one should approach a difficulty and not lose hope. Yuvraj - you are a true warrior. When Yuvraj puts his feet on the ground again, opposition players wont see a threatening player - they will see a warrior with utmost respect - both on and off the field. Welcome back Yuvraj - we missed you a lot. You took on a challenge that was not in your control and showed the world how small and fragile human life is on the creator's big canvas.
However, I couldn't resist the temptation of internet on the train - can work for a while and browse internet. On opening NDTV website, 3 news items caught my attention - earthquake in Indonesia, death of baby Afreen and Yuvraj's press conference (in the specific order). So I started to read the articles -
Earthquake - 8.6 on Richter scale - lots of energy released from Earth's crust. However, the initial reports suggests the shock waves spread horizontally - not an ideal scenario to generate threatening Tsunamis. Looks like the ones that hit Andaman Islands was no more than 3.5 ft high - not as dangerous as a typical 8.6 quake with vertical release of energy could have caused. Good for everybody. However, all the governmental agencies are acting swiftly through out the region to meet any situation. Its a natural event - man has no control on it other than just to react. May no loss of life happen.
Baby Afreen - Such a sad story. My eyes couldn't stop tearing up as I read this story. What happened to mankind? Why hurt someone who cannot defend themselves - a baby of all 3 months old. If the father did not like baby girl, he had other alternatives such as giving up for adoption, going to a religious organization that takes care of orphaned children. There was no need to show such cruelty. Reading through the comments, there is so much outburst from readers - some even asking to do exactly same things to the father as he did to the child. Other comments were little more sane - should have gave up for adoption. First Baby Falak... now Baby Afreen. My only plead is - this should be end of it. I feel ashamed of such events and feel responsible for the act as well by being part of the larger society. Hopefully, common sense will prevail and we dont get to read one more story like this. Its a human act - should be controlled at all costs.
Yuvraj's press conference - What a flamboyant cricketer in the recent years who wouldn't take any taunts from opposition side lightly. Players from opposing team didnt want to enrage him any more after Yuvraj-Flintoff spat in first T20 World Cup. Anyone who thought it was just a flash in the pan were proved wrong after 2011 World Cup. Such a frightened and respected cricketer on the ground. Off-ground, one cannot associate him with mild manners - as if cheerful/mischievous nature and Yuvraj are synonyms. As someone rightly said, braver people face braver battles in the life. Yuvraj is brave for sure. After shining in the 2011 World Cup triumph with Man-of-the-Series crown, the prince was diagnosed with rare form of germ cell cancer. As a true warrior, he won the battle - defeated cancer after couple of rounds chemotherapy sessions. Now, Yuvraj is back in the country and held a press conference today to reveal what he has gone through in last year. How such a passionate warrior felt helpless when he was diagnosed with cancer - seeking comfort from his mother just like a small kid and wishing it will be over soon. Yuvraj - you won the battle. Your story shows how life take turns in such a short period of time. Your story shows how one should approach a difficulty and not lose hope. Yuvraj - you are a true warrior. When Yuvraj puts his feet on the ground again, opposition players wont see a threatening player - they will see a warrior with utmost respect - both on and off the field. Welcome back Yuvraj - we missed you a lot. You took on a challenge that was not in your control and showed the world how small and fragile human life is on the creator's big canvas.
