Truth is stranger than fiction

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=25e747f3-bce3-449b-aa4a-c232580da80a Numerous households have reported cases where partiality between siblings is exhibited knowingly or unknowingly. Irrespective of the achievement or talent inherent in one child, it’s always the other one which manages to retain the favorite tag. The former ones tend to ponder over the inexplicable preferential treatment meted out to their counterparts. Being ignored, these faultless beings tend to feel hurt and unwanted. This portrays the untoward step motherly treatment in spite of belonging to the same family/category. The lack of appreciation can either result in withdrawal symptoms or manifest itself into a rebellious stance. Such is the case between Hockey and Cricket despite the fact of belonging to the same genre-sports. While the well deserved adulation is showered for winning the world cup, it’s shocking to see the lack of attention and acknowledgement given to the nat...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=25e747f3-bce3-449b-aa4a-c232580da80a “So long, farewell, its time to say goodbye.”.... Some adieus’ are bid with a heavy heart while others are exhibited in a grand manner. The Ganpati Visarjan is one such instance which portrays the unmistakable flamboyance of saying goodbye in a remarkable manner. It was the 11th day of the Ganesh Utsav yesterday which is declared as a public holiday to prepare for the magnificent departure of the elephant faced God. The maximum city truly exhibited its maximum stance on a literal basis. The swarming diverse crowd of millions, the undoubted ardor depicted in large amounts and the glorious celebration; Mumbai displayed an illustrious and illuminating effect. Trucks were beautifully decorated and carried the idols of various sizes with tremendous splendor. Crackers were burst, making it seem to be like a Diwali celebration. The city depicted a delightful glow and radiance. Decorat...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=4bf1d5b2-0566-42de-a9ed-3ae139eefe70 After 1983, it is time once again for many to open bottles of champagne which is sure to ooze out with a whoop of spectacular delight. Millions were crossing their hearts; fingers and what not as this do or die game proceeded with twists and turns. It almost equaled to watching an edge of the seat thriller or going on the biggest roller coaster ride. This unpredictable match was almost like a see-saw, swinging from one side to another. It was a steady and sturdy innings by Gautham Gambhir who scored 75 and supported by Rohit Sharma which brought the score to 157. It was decent, yet fell short of India’s aim to reach 180. The responsibility of cruising through a victory fell on the delicate yet firm shoulders of the bowlers who geared up to put up a fierce fight against the expected rain of sixes and fours. R.P Singh was at his usual best; a consistent form displayed in the enti...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=a8441a02-7711-44df-afed-a9f0d64dde28 India-Pakistan matches have always generated a stir of commotion and excitement for the viewers. Yesterday's play proved to be no exception especially when the victory for India was crucial to qualify for the super eights. The match was completely a sea-saw with Pakistan rattling Indian wickets initially. However they managed to put up a decent total of 141 on the score board, something which seemed like a cake walk for Pakistan to chase. But the Indian bowlers managed to pull back their opponent by taking wickets at quick intervals which ultimately put pressure on the batting team. The game droned on as levels of adrenalin surged like the waves on a high tide. It was the fight by Misbah Ul Haq which brought them inching close to victory with 17 runs taken from the nineteenth over bowled by Agarkar. Pakistan just needed 12 runs from the last over. After a couple of fours, t...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=e94d4479-715d-4bfa-b202-289861516787 ‘Never underestimate anybody’ is an oft quoted saying. It makes one to trace back to the hare and tortoise story, the end of which was an unexpected victory for the latter. The hare’s arrogance and over confidence cost its expected win only to emerge shame faced in front of its otherwise sluggish opponent. It was a similar situation of the above case in the second T20 ODI yesterday. The tournament favorite- Australians were counted on for a breezy win by a large margin and trash their so called ‘underdog’ team which made their fans place their safe bets blind folded. Who would have thought that the assumed occurrence will work the other way around. It came across as a pleasant surprise and probably a horrifying shock to Australian admirers when Zimbabwe stumped their beloved mighty champions on a literal basis. Right from the ICC champions’ trophy 2006 to the WC 2007, the Kanga...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=64b35a0c-0127-4b11-9448-5375552883c6 The fours(ce)ful finish by Robin Uthappa yesterday has submerged millions under the pool of exuberance and elation. It was a huge chase for the men in blue when England put up a score of 316. The second innings were watched with bated breaths and yet with a ray of hope as the spectacular partnership between Ganguly and Sachin laid a fantastic foundation. No sooner when the smiles were back on the Indian fans than a dark cloud descended upon them as wickets kept falling like pelted bricks from an old building in ruins. The foundation was losing its initial grip. What seemed like an achievable target was next to impossible especially in those last few overs. Glee began to show on the faces of the England team as India got ready to accept the defeat. However the killer instinct in the form of Robin Uthappa prevailed as his grit and determination refused to give up without a fierce...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=3adad4fa-ba43-417a-90f0-1a731dd139ff “Learning is a continuous process” – an oft-quoted expression to motivate oneself and others to attain and gather the ocean of knowledge, which is subdivided into chapters that impart the lessons of life at each stage. Such valuable anecdotes are implanted in our souls by the learned, wise and knowledgeable individuals termed as “teachers.” This special day to acknowledge the presence of these personalities who have made a difference in our lives and which also happens to be the birthday of Dr. Radhakrishan, one of the most learned scholars, is celebrated every year on September 5th as ‘teachers day.’The concept of a teacher can traced back to the historical era of great Indian epics like the “Mahabharata”, where the embodiment of the word ‘teacher’ is that of the enlightened yet strict Dronacharya, the noble soul, who imparted the knowledge of artillery skills exclusive to the...