Monday, 8 June 2009

Federer or Sampras


Roger Federer has equalled Pete Sampras world record of 14 grand slam titles, and joined the elite group of players, winning all the four major grand slam tournaments (including the French open, which Sampras never won). Federer is still young, and may go on the win more grand slam tournaments, but does that make his the greatest?

This is a topic which the entire world might be debating, but before passing any judgement, there are some facts which we need to consider.

Sampras (on way to his 14 grand slam titles), faced mighty opposition in the likes of Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Stefan Edberg, Boris Becker and Patrick Rafter. The other noted players of his era were the likes hard hitting Richard Kraijicek, Kafelnikov, Ivanisevic, Michael Stitch etc.

Federer (on his way to 14 grand slam titles), didn’t quite face the same levels of opposition (except Nadal), seeing his easy victories he has had. The players during the era of Federer are Hewitt, Safin, Roddick, Fererro, Murray.

Now, if we compare (grand slam titles)

Andre Agassi (8) vs Andy Murray (0)

Stefan Edberg (6) vs Andy Roddick (1)

Boris Becker (6) vs Marat Safin (2)

Jim Courier (4) vs L. Hewitt (2)


This implies that that the opposition faced by Sampras, were way-superior than opposition faced by Federer. To term Federer the greatest ever, is questionable.

Citing an example from Cricket, whom would you rate the best test cricketer ever, Sachin Tendulkar or Brian Lara? Even though Sachin has more hundreds, more runs, better average, but would it be right to term Sachin as a better test batsman than Brian Charles Lara? If you think Sachin is the greatest, than you can say Federer is the greatest, but if you think Lara is the greatest; then you would also have to agree that Sampras is the greatest!

Sunday, 12 April 2009

LUCK RETREATS AND REPEATS


Kashmiri Pundits have undergone lot of tragedies which still horrifies their essence. The carnage we endured and the adversity we suffered, was witnessed by the entire world. However, what happened was history, but the future is still there to delve with. How long could we glue to the same old story of our exodus from the valley. There is always the second side of a coin, and a second stint in the life.

When the bad ends, the good has to commence. It cannot rain ad-infinitum, the Sun has to shine one day. After the migration, most of the Kashmiri’s have evolved well under the looming shadows of adversity.That heartrending time is over and done. When the memories get stirred; the emotions and sentiments do get evoked. We must continue to live with our reminiscences, but simultaneously show the entire world that even while facing hardships at every phase of the life, we have reached the pinnacle of our lives and careers.

So many people from the community have had professional qualifications, and are currently excelling in their respective fields. Every fourth student in the community is an engineer now. The Kashmiri community has now been glutted with MBA’s and Engineers, which wouldn’t have been possible without the generous assistance and backing of the government of Maharashtra.

There are so many doctors and business administrators in our community, rising the education standard beyond expectation. People, who scarcely crossed the Jawahar tunnel, are now touring different parts of the world. People, who could barely speak Hindi, now converse fluently in English. The technology and modernism they are witnessing, would be like a flight of imagination, which would normally have started and ended with them.

Students and younger generations have had the utmost benefit. They are still eligible for so many educational quotas, which generates wide range of opportunities for them. Employees of J&K Government are still getting pays from the State, without even picking up a single nail. People have engaged themselves in part time and even full time work, which comes an additional stipend.

Kashmir’s are one of the best-settled and most affluent people out side the nation residing in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia and the Gulf region. They have been exposed to so many new opportunities, which would have scarcely come across them. Living outside the valley, has changed them tremendously. The old and typical Kashmiri’s accent has evaporated and grasp on English and Hindi has got crisper, putting them at par with others, in both national and international market. They are no longer the under privileged ones, but regrettably still expect sympathy from others.

Murky and gloomy night had to end one day, the clouds had to disperse and make way for the shining sun. Now the sky is spick and span again! We cannot expect good times to stay all along, but neither can the overcast days prolong too much. The sun is shining again, right time to make some hay!