Rezang La

This isn't about sounding patriotic or some other wiki stuff. This is for all those of you like me who haven't heard the words in the title until now. Rezang La isn't Spanish nor the famous Chinese action film title. Rezang La was the site of the famous last stand of the of the 'C' Company of 13 Kumaon during the Sino-Indian War in 1962. This is for the small memorial at the site , which reads:

How can a Man die Better than facing Fearful Odds,
For the Ashes of His Fathers and the Temples of His Gods,
To the sacred memory of the Heroes of Rezang La,
114 Martyrs of 13 Kumaon who fought to the Last Man,
Last Round, Against Hordes of Chinese on 18 November 1962.
Built by All Ranks 13th Battalion, The Kumaon Regiment.

The battle of Rezangla, fought at an altitude of 17,000 feet, is one of the most incredible sagas of valour and courage that Indian soldiers have showed on November 18, 1962. They fought and died for Indian soil. This is a salutation to the 114 brave men who fought until " Last man and Last bullet" in sub zero temperature.

Lets not only remember the 300 Spartans and Pearl Harbour but also remember and respect the real INDIAN HEROES and pass on their story to the generations to come.

Thank You Champs.

When i look back at the end of Australian series, and our victory against the world champions, I am not completely excited, rather sad to an extent. Yeah, there is a certain bit of saddness in me. I remind myself that I no longer can wait in a test match for Kumble to bowl that quicker one, or a googly, for those crucial wickets at tougher times. More depressing is the fact I can no more wait for Ganguly coming down the track to launch the ball into the stands of the spinners. With the end of careers of these legends has Indian cricket lost some of its viewers? I bet you argue not, with Dhonis, Yuvraj's and Harbhajan's. But somehow, if not completely lost, the sheer excitement of a cricket match in me has died to some extent. I just fear of the day when Sachin or Dravid does not step into a test match, will I and some of my friends ever turn on the match and watch it with the same enthusiasm. May be Dhoni is the star to watch out now, But my heart does not stop for that moment when he plays that mis-timed shot in air as it does for Sachin. It may be vice-versa for Dhoni's fans. I hate the feeling that my game, my religion of Cricket has started with these God's and may end with them. Is it the impact these legends had on me while I grew up watching them. Is it the age thing? Ok hold on I ain't too old to complain. I just do not respect the younger stars with what they deserve, inspite of their achievements in the same way. I do not look at Harbhajan to inspire me or the school kid with that matter the same way as Kumble did. Then i question myself do I just admire Sachin, Ganguly, VVS, Dravid, Kumble or do I worship them. Am i blind with my faith ? Am I loyal? Doesn't Yuvraj hit a six as stylish as Ganguly would do. Is it like Ganguly removing his shirt makes me proud, but the same thing with Yuvraj false pride or arrogance. Do I need to give these younger stars some time to occupy space and respect in my heart, or should i lower my enthusiasm. Has my professional life eaten into my enthusiasm? No I have been typing this in my lunch break on a typical working day at office. There a lot of questions which time will answer. We wanted our juniors to look at Sachin should I complain if my junior advices his on Dhoni or Yuvraj. Is it a all heart thing?mind thing ? i do not know. Am I too confused. Am i taking this too seriously? May be, but you forgot in India cricket is'nt just a game its a RELIGION.

But now, I would like to remind myself of all those moments these stars, and cricket as a game filled our lives with. The Morning discussions, lunch break, evening, mid night discussions and all those we had even before the exams all had our Indian team. We had our own team compositions for every series even before the selectors had. Finally I would like to thank all these players.

Thank you Anil for all those punches I had given in the air, When you took those crucial wickets, and those high5 moments I had with friends for those unpredictable balls you bowled. Thankyou for showing us what GentleMan's game is about. Thankyou for leading us in the Crucial times, and inspiring a genration of bowlers.

Thank You DADA for all those wonderful shots on Off side and the balls you parked outside the ground of the spinners and seamers. Thank you for showing us your chest at Lords, and thank you for leading the Indian side into confidence to look into the eyes of opponents.

Thank You Sachin(God) for all those 12000 runs you made for us while we sat praying before the telivision for you to make those. Thank you for inspiring a generation, a game and a nation. Thank you Jammy for being the Great Wall of India and VVS for always playing those very very special knocks.

Thank you Dhoni for making us World Champions in Twenty20 and maintaining the standards at home once again. Thank you Yuvraj for those 6 sixes and Sehwag for the same on 94, 194, 294. I am looking forwarld to all you guys, do not disappoint us. Let our religion be followed the same way. We Indians can accomdate many Gods in our hearts.

PS: The Author is currently in US and has been missing out some cricket action on live tv, though fighting out the odd time zones and internet for cricket action has been disturbed to an extent. So may forgive him for the crap.