26^th July, 2005 a day when Mumbai was shaken by the heavy floods across the city. Today it’s the 10^th year!! This day has been one of the biggest nightmares which Mumbaikars have faced in their Life. Mumbai is always known for his rains. People here not only enjoy Monsoon because it is situated on the coast of the Arabian Sea but also they feel it. 26^th July, 2005 has been hazardous for people as they have lost their property and life. Atleast 5000 people died due to such rains. It occurred just one month after Gujarat Floods which took place on 25^th June 2005. There was record in rainfall which was 944mm in 24 hours. These rains have coincide with the high tides which cost the floods.

This day has been memorable for me as it was for the first time I could really feel the nature and its wrath. Those 2 months were the most memorable months for me as in both the scenario I was a part of it. I had experienced floods in Gujarat and Mumbai. For a while it shocked when I was in Gujarat returning back to Mumbai. We were stuck in the train for 24 hours with very limited supplies of basic necessities. Any how we were able to reach to Mumbai. It’s just after a month similar situation was faced by me. However this time lucky enough as I was in my home town so was assured that I will be fine.

I just started my Post Graduate College at K C, Churchgate. On that day from the beginning, it was too cloudy. Parents warned me to take care. They were more insisting me to bunk my college and stay home. However, since I enjoy and like rains and do not want to miss the glimpse of sea-face, I decided to go. At around 3pm when entire Mumbai has moved into floods, I and my friend were completely unaware about what is happening in suburbs and other parts of the city. We both were more concerned about exploring Nariman point rather than thinking of going back home. But I guess that was a lucky thought, because the people who left were not able to reach home and were stuck in the train whole night. Not only this, few of them have to make use of tracks to reach home. It’s rightly said whatever happens it happens for good. So it came a blessing for me. We went to Nariman point. What we could only see huge tide ways sweeping the floor. Nothing can be seen beyond that. No buildings nothing. All telephone lines and electricity were dead. So we both decided to stay back in the college. By that time I got a company of my brother and we had spend the entire night in one of the most prestigious place ‘town’, exploring all the possibilities available. Definitely we couldn’t get food to eat but the excitement was twofold.

This day is attached to me to the core as for the first time in my life I was able to see the wrath of the nature. It’s rightly said Humans are never above Nature. Even though whichever god we worship or we believe into, Universe is the supreme. We can feel them and see them. Humans have destroyed nature to the core and still doing the same. So somewhere we are going to pay it sooner or later which will come as a shock for others.

It’s now been the tenth year since this mishap has happened. I haven’t forgotten the things that I saw and feel. For me the most touching was the cattle that got killed miserably as they were tied. Today, I could see bright Sun which has its own grace. No sign of rains. But still the memories reminds of the scene. It’s not painful but it’s about the connection one feels when you actually see Nature with your eyes.

 

Ever thought why we find it difficult to accept ourselves. Many a times we think about it, but it really takes a lot of courage to stand for it and accept the way we are.

Many a times, during our childhood, we try to copy our siblings and during our teenage days, when we are a part of a group, we try to copy our peers. The main reason here is acceptance either from the family or from the peers. The feeling of acceptance is always two fold. We feel privilege when we are loved by others. But till when this love will be there?? Is it true or it’s fake. Friends they claimed to be friends but in true sense they won’t be.

To be true to you is an art. People say we know ourselves more than anyone else. Truly speaking we tend to forget it and just follow the path of others At sometime we even feel to go back and re-start our life but we stop doing it as we think that if really do that people who are with us right now may not accept us. We have developed that fake identity to such an extent that we are not able to get out of it.

What can be the main reason to behave like this??? Why we are unable to accept ourselves completely despite our flaws that we know. So what’s the solution to it? Well I am listing down few of the points which I have observed when I have interacted with people and also from my own personal life.

      Be Honest to your emotions:

This is one of the most important parts of this process. Honesty is a rich source which cannot be accepted from fake people. Being honest to our emotions simply means we should accept what we feel. It’s okay to cry out loud when we are disturbed rather than sitting at one place and putting pressure on our self to curb our emotions or to go to a pub or club and start boozing off. This gives temporary happiness which last for short while. At the time we get emotionally damaged every time.

To begin with of being honest, first thing is to release our self from this manipulative role that we are leading. We need to understand our own emotions to the core. We should understand what is good or bad for us and how it’s going to affect us in near future. Unless we are not able to accept and understand the emotions we will never be able to understand the emotions of the people around us. Nor will be able to judge who are true and who fake ones are. We live in a Hippocratic world surrounded with all two faced people.

Every day we come across many emotions which can be good or bad which we get from our colleagues, families, loved ones and friends. So instead of reacting in rage of suppressing it, let’s understand it with a pause. When we feel down or low, instead of feeling frustrated or taking a cigarette or developing a negative feeling towards others we should sit quietly for 2 minutes or count till 20 so that our mind is at peace. With this we will be able to gauge the situation and also be aware about our feelings.

      Be Platonic:

Well Platonic is very difficult to understand. Platonic word is derived from a Greek Philosopher Plato. According to him, a guy and a girl are not sexually involved with each other but to one extent they are emotionally attached. Well that’s brings contradictions. So for that, we first need to understand our emotions and then go about with it. To get emotionally attached with someone we need to trust that person. It’s possible when we trust our own self.

      Draw a Line:

Sometimes we really do not know where to draw a line when we involve with people. Whether it is relationship or friendship or office colleague, we must learn to draw boundaries towards each others. I have noticed that people who are too frank always face a problem when they communicate with others. We live in a stereotype environment where girls are looked in a different perspective as compared to guys. If a guy approach a girl for a coffee is considered to be genuine, while if the frank girl approaches a guy than it’s either considered as slut or whore. In that if a older girl approaches a younger guy than it’s considered as a cougar. So to all those Frankies out there or extroverts, it’s better to draw a line and be content with it so that we do not feel rejected or depressed by the actions of others. For them it can be just a time pass for us it can lead to emotional trauma. .

      Need to see the Reality:

As I said previously, we live in a world where we are surrounded by 2 faced people. At one point they claimed to be your best sweet hearts and other side they are the ones who tries to kill you in a diplomatic way. Most often we see in corporate where everyone is thirsty about climbing the ladder in a right or wrong way. Mostly people choose wrong way called as short cut success by putting someone into trouble in order to satisfy their own needs. So here we need to vigilant enough to understand the environment which we are into. Simple logic here is we need to be professional at our work place. With this we keep our mind cool and are focused in our own work. Regarding others with whom we interact we need to maintain a colloidal relationship which is not too attached or not too detached.

Finally I would like to conclude that, understanding oneself is far greater than understanding others. We can understand others as we claim but we fail to understand ourselves. 

Finally the last day of 2014 FIFA World Cup had approached on 13^th July at Maracana in Rio de Janeiro where both the titans Argentina and Germany faced each other to lift the Golden Beauty- World Cup.  After a month struggle to reach to this position comprising of 32 games in 30 days at 12 venues, the brilliant era ended with an unexpected results.

The game began on 12^th June staring with the group stage and ended on 13^th July. The host country Brazil was favourite for this world cup which turned out to be disastrous when they were knocked out brutally by the Germans who are the Champions of 2014 FIFA World Cup. From the beginning of the tournament, they meet their opponent Portugal who was annihilated to 4-0, their first victory at the beginning of the game. Throughout the tournament we could see lots of setbacks for Germany especially during their encounter against Algeria where they were struggling to score a goal as they were unable to break the defence.

Coming to the point, I would say that their 24 year old draught has ended. Finally they could see the glory. First European Country to win the World cup in South American soil. Infact I would say it’s their first World Cup trophy for unified Germany as the previous 3 have been won by West Germany. From the beginning of the final, I could sense that it’s the day of Germany. My positivity increased when I saw Angela Merkel in the stadium- German Chancellor. She is one of the most vivid footballer and I have seen her whenever her country reaches final whether its 2013 UEFA league or now. Even though crowds were chanting “Messi” slogan, it felt as if, one man against the army, where the army wins and not the single man. I could also sense that for a while Messi is too hyped. No doubt he plays a good and best game, but his entire magic was faded in yesterday’s match. We were told to predict what the score will be there. I was confident that its’ Germany day and Germans has to win either in additional time or in Penalty. No one can stop them tonight.

Things that I noticed in first half was that, Germany was struggling to break the defence which was set by the Argentinans. They followed the same strategy as the Algerians. This lead to frustrations and agony. At the same time if I talk about yellow card given to Schweinsteiger at the beginning was ridiculous. It was pure referee partiality as they said the referee favours Messi. Well that couldn’t help enough. Biggest fool for Argentina was when Higuain celebrating Goal which was declared off side. I couldn’t control my laughter and seeing Argentinan fans abusing the referee.

In the second half when we look, Argentina played compact and stayed close there by creating all chances available. However, Messi’s only chance dissolved when he booted the ball a foot wide of Neuer’s post and apart from that it was just a game played in the middle with strong challenges and minimal chances.Definitely I would say goal keepers of both the team had showed their outstanding performance. Neuer, once again has shown exceptionally great show. He won ‘Golden Glove’ for this year.

Finally when the 90 minutes along with the additional time was over, the game went into Extra time of 30 minutes. It was now positive that it’s a time where German should show their brutality. Schurrle tried to hit the target but was unsuccessful. German defence was strong enough and the strategy that they used to stop Messi at any cost worked out well. They had good possession and had a good pass.

In the end it was Germany who scored. After first extra time got over, their coach Joachim Loew said to Gotze who came as a substitute for Klose that he has to prove today that he is better than Lionel Messi, turned out as a gift to Germany. On 113^th minute Schurrle and Gotze co-operated in such a way, that the goal was in the Germany kitty. I could the sad face of the Argentinan fans and also Messi. Not only was this blood shed on the grounds when Schweinsteiger received a punch from Aguero. Referee instead of giving him a card, just gave a free kick. It showed that he was too partial towards the Germans.

Despite Argentina had the better opportunities followed by being favourite and Messi’s magic nothing turned out to be in their favour. Germany on the other hand, had to play without Sami Khedira who was replaced by Kramer who later on the 18^th minute was injured and Schurrle was brought in still managed to play in both attacking and defensive manner. It would be rather said that Germany was actually playing as a team and not as one man game. Everyone were equally contributing their part.

“We’ve always played good football and I believe that over this tournament, over seven matches, we’ve shown the best performances of any of the teams here in Brazil,” Löw said. “The boys have also developed a team spirit which is unbelievable.

“It was good that we had played who could come on and make an impact, and [Mario] Götze is a miracle boy — a boy wonder. I always knew he could decide the match.”

 

The support of the Chancellor, the coach, families and fans all around has proved them one of the greatest European Champions. I feel proud that I am one such who supports this team not only for their game but as players who give their every best and work as a team and not the individual terms.

 

 

This blog I would like to dedicated to all my GERMAN friends and supporters and especially to my cuties cutie pie whose dimples just turn me on every time I look at him…
Before the start of the game I was optimistic that yes Germany will win no matter what happens. Despite of the adversity, where their 7 players were down with Flue and throat problems they made it through semi-finals in a easy way. Most of my platonic friends said that Germany shouldn’t win today. They were all supporting France, except one or two who had a faith like me that team will do great. I anticipated that it would be a tough game as both the team were strong and were having ‘Never Give Attitude’, so we I assumed that match would either go for extra time or finally it would land up in Penalties. However it came in surprise that it ended in injury time.
The match was played at Rio de Janeiro, the heart of Brazil I would say. From the start of the match till the end, Germans played in their own style. Germany became the first nation to reach four consecutive World Cup semi-finals. This came with Hummels header on 13th minute which shocked every France player. Despite being a defender he scored. That’s when we talk about Germans, their players are all rounder. Whether it’s a defender or mid fielder they score. Their strategy was too impressive. After scoring the goal, they were to hold on it. They were to make sure that France do not conceive any goal. This was shown by goal keeper Neuer showed faultless performance when he denied Mathieu Valbuena the first half and then Karim Benzema late in the game. Their attacking was miserably affected when they played against Algeria. However in yesterday’s performance it was all rediscovered. Despite France was too attacking Germans were able to hold on. However Germany still missed the chances and passes
Over all it was an amazing come back of the team. We should not ignore that it was Germany’s best experience despite reconfigured starting line up and doubts over their health.
Worth watching, especially when one watches with their cutest crush whose dimples and shyness turns you on. Waiting for next big match- Brazil vs Germany!!!
It’s was a sweet end of France….