Korean Hostages

I'm not much of a news person....but this one hit me pretty hard... it was one of the usual problems in Afghanistan...some Koreans had been taken hostage... it didn't register...till I saw a clipping of the hostages....something about that photograph irked me...and my was flooded with memories from the international volunteers conference last year....

I searched the CNN website for the clipping and when I saw it...a sudden chill went down my spine... I had met these kids...only a few months back... I'd seen their enthusiasm... I had worked with some of them on our presentation...

It all felt like such an amazing time where all of us had gathered to discuss what we could do to make this world a better place....And this is how we pay... I mean...I cannot even imagine how completely scared those kids would be...how much they are being wronged... I mean what's their fault?

If anyone has a problem with a country they capture innocent people and kill them, torture them.... why doesn't anyone take Bush hostage and torture him to death??!! It's so frustrating that the same world that we're trying to change wants to stay gripped in the ignorant, inhuman ways that they themselves curse!!!

My prayers go out to all of these kids and their families... I hope to see them back in a safe place...and maybe meet at some other conference...

Okay....this one has got to be my most metaphoric, and flowery poetry in proper sonnet rhyme scheme(except for the meter)

The Golden Dove

Since time immemorial it’s been prized,
Expectations always oversized.
Its creator and lover obsequiously devised
The vicissitudes in its beauty disguised.

The golden dove knows not to fly,
To spread its wings and say goodbye,
It mesmerizes every watching eye,
But no one can hear the abject sigh.

Vernal winds call with all their might,
And yet unable to inspire a flight,
Such is the menace, such is the blight,
Such is the attrition of this captivating sight.

But I won’t sigh, won’t cry, won’t die…
Even though a golden dove am I!!

The New Gods!!

Where do we look for the new Gods? With the Indian Cricket team thoroughly disappointing in the world cup, this cricket crazy country is in a state of bewilderment over what sport to sport. Many have turned to the English Premier League, the Formula 1 racing, Tennis and even Golf. But it is the self proclaimed most beautiful game of Football that is having a field day. In a way the looming lull over cricket is actually posing as light at the end of a long dark tunnel that Indian football has been perpetually lurking in.

And it’s not just the National Football League that has suddenly found many followers and media coverage, but it’s going deeper into the small fields where kids get together for an evening football match at the local park. Or reach any park on a fresh Sunday morning and the sight is full with padded shins and studded shoes.

Among these are a few lads who decided to take it a step further, under the leadership and vision of Jordan Brahma Wangdi the members of the Nirvana Football Club have been practicing every weekend at their Training Ground in Dwarka Sector 11 and since 2003 are full fledged Club under the aegis of the “Vision India” programme of AFC. This means they will be one of the few clubs looked after by AFC, making them one of the strong footballing entities in India. They have roped in some really qualified members in the form of Sam Sawhney (an FA certified coach from England) and Mike Starkey (General Secretary, Tanners United Football Club, England)

The Monks, as they prefer to be known, have a talented dedicated team with players who’ve been a part of the state team and even members who coach School teams. Nirvana FC (NFC) works with the motto “Enseñar y Aprender” (Latin for what they believe in, that is “To teach and to learn”). They are always on the look out for new sporting talent and have partnered with the Asian Football Confederation and their sponsers to organize an Under-13 Futsal Tournament where young talent can be spotted They have been working with underprivileged communities and coach two teams Goyla Allari U-13 and Paite Allari U-13 which are perfect examples of their dedication towards the game and the community in general.

People’s attention is slowly turning to different sports and even though The English Premier league still has it’s followers, our nation is trying hard not to be left behind. Nirvana FC is working hard to develop raw talent in Delhi and popularizing football in schools and communities. With the passion, intensity and zeal that they have taken up the cause of making Delhi less of a spoilsport, The Monks have really shown that football is indeed the most beautiful game of all!!