Indian Premier League 7, 2014

The Indian Premier League has become well known to all of us since it started in the year 2008 as Season-I tournamentdue to its commercial success throughout the globe.The Twenty20 cricket tournament usually held annually during the summer months of April to June has really gone from strength to strength and is largely viewed as being the 'richest' tournament in world cricket. Indeed the IPL brought glitz and glamour to the sport.According to Ravi Shastri,“IPL auction is the best physio in the world” as he thinks the IPL auction is good at persuading players to get fit.The commencement of the seventh season of the Indian Premier League, abbreviated as IPL 7 or Pepsi IPL 2014 has been held on 16^thApril, 2014 and will continue till 1^stJune, 2014, being hosted by both UAE & India this time. It is currently supervised by BCCI Vice-President Ranjib Biswal, whoserves as the League's Chairman and Commissioner and Sundar Raman is the IPL Chief Operating Officer (COO) since its first season, after he was appointed by former IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi in 2008.In total there are eight teams participating this time as Pune Warriors India was terminated. The auction of players for the seventh season of IPL took place on 13^th and 15^thFebruary 2014 in Bangalore. For the second time after 2011, IPL teams were allowed to retain up to 5 players. 7 teams retained at least 2 players from the previous squad. After hosting the first part in the United Arab Emirates, the seventh edition of Indian Premier League will return to India on May 2. Based on security demands for the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections in India, the venues for some matches are shifted outside India.

Unlike the test cricket,which always had been often preferred for its intense confrontation with class play providing the best field for one player to perform, the T20 format is an extremely alluring medium to instant stardom for the young and developing cricketers giving them less time to show their cricketing talent and execute skills. Thereby, the game requires instantaneous and strong decision making process providing the players the right platform to showcase their mettle in international cricket before acquiring expertise in the longer version of the game, i.e., the Test Cricket. One may say T20 may kill the classic and text book skills, the charm to play for one own’s country and the real game spirit, nevertheless, it is quite inventive, innovative with improvisation never dreamtof in orthodox cricket.The belligerent, vigilant, agile and athletic fielders so quick on their feet and the batsmen showing caliber to deliver under pressure  hitting strong, smart and scintillating sixes by surviving on the wicket and win for their team is a real treat and an entertainment to watch for the spectators.This new dimension and dynamics is no doubt may be considered the correct version in the fast world where timeis a precious factor. Although, many say that T20 is ruining the bowler skills, the basic reason maybe that if a bowler have to swing the ball reverse, the ball has to worn or become old. Since T20 cricket is a limited over cricket, the bowler doesn't get a chance to swing it well and thus the batsmen finishes his over driving the full length balls hard enough blowing them high into the air.

There was a time before the onset of IPL, when cricket was sought as a gentleman’s game, played with pride. Recently, the former Indian captain and commentator Sunil Gavaskar stated, “India is a powerhouse in the eyes of the cricketing world, but over the last two years or so,particularly overseas, they have only shown themselves as a powerhouse” — regarding  India's recent failures. Moreover, one certain article reported two years ago that according to Arjuna Ranatunga, the former captain of the Sri Lanka cricket team,“IPL will produce butchers not classic cricketers”. Commenting on the fallout of the IPL on the game of cricket, he said cricketers now prefer to play IPL rather than for their country.

Anyways, it was also reported that the IPL 7 auction was different in many ways with almost all the teams stitching a newsquad altogether. This time marked the judicial spending by the respective franchisees who were smart enough to understand the proper value of the players and the so called big teams like Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) constantly withdrew themselves beyond a certain point during the bidding leading, to teaming up of lesser number of million-dollar players this time. Likewise, this was the first time the uncapped players were being released in the auctions and some Ranji Trophy (2013-14) players right from the top run-scorer to top wicket-taker got their rightful due and was in demand.Some players like Kedar Jadhav, Karun Nair, Lokesh Rahul, etc. who were never explosive by nature and command great value got selected as the franchisees understand that T20s are not just about slam bang but pacing your innings as well. The teams with a strategy like Rajasthan Royals , Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Daredevils went home happy after retaing five players whereas Royal Challengers Bangalore failed to shortlist their strategy and the team they wanted to stitch.Additionally, as we know earlier there used to be franchisee heads who used to make the call with the coaches just making a memento appearance. But this time during the two days of auction, someone like Dravid, Anil Kumble, Sanjay Bangar were critical in the decisions taken and it was visible in the absorbing discussions over every player and before placing every bid. The more the cricketers are involved, the saner the franchisees decisions appeared. Lastly, it was not about packing your team with players but understanding team culture, and hence, almost every franchisee made it clear that they weren't looking to complete the maximum squad strength of 27. In fact they were focusing on having a small but efficient squad which iseasy to manage and better to communicate.

Posted By: Amitava Dutta, brand ambassador "MY VOTE FOR a BETTER INDIA" social initiative by "Pickyouropinion.com".

Biased media follows gender stereotypes

With such development in technology, people in this golden age depend on media to a great extent. It not only influences an individual's thoughts but have its effect on global society.

If we have a closer look at our society we find that those days are not long gone and no doubt, there is still oppression present for women by men and these men in power subsequently control the means i.e., media. A precise look at T.V. shows, children's toys and advertisements reveal that they marginalize and objectify women as merely being involved in household, incapable of competing and deceitful. Media also enrolls in it, how an ideal women should look like, through its adverts it creates a mold, which may be a women with extensively slim figure, and one who doesn't fit into it is forced to adjust one's appearance.

In 1995, T.V. Shows like, FRIENDS were broadcasted in Fiji, and study reveals that in merely 3 years from then over 11.9% of women were over the toilet bowl and bulimia, all because they wanted to look like those thin figured characters, it was not a choice for them but an only option. Also today, when half of the time child is awake he's introduced to the social world through media, it is high time to critically keep an eye on the depiction of gender in media. Media has its freedom and it is wrong to control free speech by any means, and in a country like ours where media has the freedom to produce anything without even the interference of government, we can't do anything except to censor what is being published.

"In mainstream media, stereotyping is a standard way of characterizing people." Though there are leading women but in media they are shown in a more bitter way than the male. For example, in BREAKING BAD, a woman's adulterous affair is shown to be bad and immoral whereas her husband being a drug dealer wins sympathy as he's working for his family.

Similarly while walking through a children's toy store we find in the boys' section full of superhero figures, while in the girls' section we see kitchen sets, odd-shaped barbies.

Moreover, the boys' toys are made more complicated and for girls' they are simply painted pink, just to show that boys are intellectually stronger than their counterparts, which is yet another stereotype that media follows. Also in comic books, which is a source of entertainment and is accessible to most of the public, we mostly have male superheroes if by chance we strike one or two lady figures their pictorial representation is done in such a way that they are shown sexually being over girly (over curves), same is the case with barbies.

This female inferiority becomes a source of cultural understanding for those who believe only on media for their connection to outside world and they find it absolutely right.

Possible solutions for it can be- firstly, a male should be from very childhood be educated about respecting women and that they are not someone who need to submit always. Next, workshops should be held in order to educate children maybe in fourth or fifth grade about puberty, color, different sexual orientations and sex, so they do not abide by wrong means and treat each other in a wrong way. Next, women need to unify to speak out about them being suppressed by the media representatives, social media can play a good role to fight back.

The media by whosoever it is controlled, brings out a figure of women as being weak, a commodity, an incompetent one. Media is setting an unacceptable appearance for women. It is also leading to the acceptability of women being inferior. Accurate positioning of women, women fighting back, and proper education may combat the following of gender stereotypes by media.

Posted By: Shivani Dalakoti, brand ambassador "MY VOTE FOR a BETTER INDIA" social initiative by "Pickyouropinion.com".

ICC T20 WORLD CUP 2014: A ‘MUST WATCH’ THIS YEAR

Although cricket is not the official national sport in India, it begets much more excitement and a greater fan following than the official national sport Hockey. Why only hockey, in fact no other sport in India can claim the position of cricket in respect to its popularity and revenue generation. India often makes it to the top teams of cricket, subsequent appreciable performances in World Cups and international tournaments have much to do with the enormous popularity of cricket in India.

The huge cricket mania in India has undeniably turned the sport into a large industry in the country. A lot of money spins around the sport and multiplies its effect in the national economy to the benefit of everybody. The Stock Exchange Index rises and falls and elections are won or lost centering round the sentiment of cricket. Top rung corporate organizations eye the Indian market to launch a product or sponsor a game. So, cricket mania in India has a stronghold upon its populace, which is hard to ignore. Whoever can tap its potential reaps the benefits. Streets, offices, schools and hospitals run empty on a day when the Indian side locks horn with Pakistan in a sensitive match anywhere in the world. Incidents of heart attacks during a nail-biting finish or even suicide at the loss of Indian side have also been known to occur. 

India is again fighting for the ICC WORLD CUP T20 2014. As it landed on the field to play, some type of spiritual energy induced in the team. India won the first match against Pakistan so comfortably and easily. It’s a similar situation like t20 world cup 2007; they won this match like they’re playing a practice match with Pakistan. Now If we talk about the other T20 Match of India then also, Indian team proved that they were playing a cricket match with club cricket team or it’s like a piece of cake for them to win this contest from previous World Champions. We can see the magic of MS Dhoni again as have seen it in the earlier ICC events. India has a vast experience in T20 cricket because of IPL. They are well aware from ups and downs in this cricket with most talented players. It’s also one of the epic reasons behind why India can win T20 2014 world cup. 

Forget whatever is happening with their administration in India, the cricket team has put in another big performance recently to become the first entrants into the World T20 semi-finals. MS Dhoni has won the toss the 15th consecutive time. The opposition is nervous, the spinners pull things back, and the batsmen knock off a sub-par total with ease.  But the only thing that can hamper us is that the bowlers and the opening batsmen have been doing so well this time that we haven’t checked our middle order yet. So we just have to pray that everything happens nicely and they bring the cup home.

But what is the secret of success of this team? Good dressing room atmosphere is key to our success said Dhoni. Another reason can be that Indian team has got so many young players with the powerful mind because; T20 cricket is a mind game, not the power game. Each and every player in team India knows this thing very well. Virat Kholi, Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni are our aggressive players. They have the ability to play their natural game with cool mind. In a brilliant way, MSD snatches victory from the jaws of the opposition. This thing is learnable. The cool captaincy of Dhoni can be proved as one of the hottest reasons to pick world cup 2014 trophy. 

We all our waiting for another smashing hit this year by this team hoping that they will keep our flag high.

Posted By: Anam, brand ambassador "MY VOTE FOR a BETTER INDIA" social initiative by "Pickyouropinion.com".

 

IMPORTANCE OF THOUGHTFUL VOTING

India is the world's largest democracy with current population of about 1.21 billion. The success of democracy and formation of responsible government is directly dependent on the voting power of the citizens. Elections form the bedrock of India. Since Independence, as many as 15 Lok Sabha's have been formed through elections, the first one being held in 1951-52. This time they are starting from 7 April 2014. The methodology of election is through universal adult suffrage, whereby every citizen of India over 18 years of age is an eligible voter in the eyes of the Constitution. But the question arises that are we voting? Are we utilizing this power at its best?

Voting is the best way to get one's opinions heard, as it allows one to select the candidate who best represents their views. Voting also helps democracy to prevail and if people didn't vote they would be ruled by someone who wouldn't necessarily represent them or have the country's interests at heart. So the need of the hour is not just vote but do thoughtful voting. Every individual can make a difference. The reason to vote cannot be over stated. One man one vote says a lot. It puts each person on equal footing. A vote from a rich person has the same power as a poor person. Young people have the same right to be heard as their elders.

In some cases nowadays people hesitated to vote. While others just vote because their family or friends have pleaded them in order to make their close ones win. In this year’s elections we need to change this scenario.  When a person does not vote, or votes without thinking then that individual citizen does not participate with the electoral process. What would happen if no one voted? Our democracy would end! Voting gives you the right and voice, to have the say, who will be the next most powerful leader in the world. It is the single most effective way to make your voice be heard. If you are not using this opportunity judiciously, you give away your right to influence the government overall.

Have we become a nation of low information voters whose knowledge is largely limited to media sound-bites and newspaper headlines? It must be every citizen's responsibility to determine if a candidate has kept his/her promises through knowledge of past performance. A question every voter must ask as he/she participates in this election: "Is this leader worth my vote?"

It can't be denied that the recent democratic experience in India has not been encouraging. For the past several years, India has been struggling with rampant corruption, unsure economy, and unclear foreign policy. Election after election has seen ineffective governments come to power that have done more harm than good. Therefore, we need to take a stand now. It is our duty as responsible citizens of India to make informed decisions and choose the best candidate from those presented. 

The success and failure of our state and nation lies in our hands, our responsibility is to investigate and elect representatives who are patriots, men and women who are willing to jealously guard the Constitution and who will continually put country over personal gain.

Posted By: Anam, brand ambassador "MY VOTE FOR a BETTER INDIA" social initiative by "Pickyouropinion.com".