Road to Rio- India

            Eagerly waiting for biggest sporting event Olympics from past few days. With 15 more days to go, I Wish good luck for India's largest ever delegation 121(38 larger than their previous record of 83 athletes in 2012 Olympics) competing in 13 sporting disciplines.

Wish we can win more medals than last Olympics ( 2 Silver and 4 Bronze -55^th Place (Feel bad, with population of more than 100 bn)

Positive sign is with combination of the relentless efforts put in by our talented athletes and some visionary programs undertaken by various foundations( Ex:OGQ(Olympic Gold Quest))the strength has increased. In last 6 months many athletes have broken national records and or on high spirits. Nine private sector companies have signed up as sponsors for the Indian contingent at the 2016 Olympics, wish this will increase and help athletes to concentrate only on game. Having the facilities and equipment in hand can make a huge difference to athletes' preparation, as they can focus on their training and not in gathering funds for their Olympic sojourn

It will be a biggest achievement if we get maiden double digit medal tally. Few of our athletes are in top rank ( Deepika Kumari-World no.5, Jitu Rai, Heena Sidhu etc), wish they live up to the expectations and get medals.

Happy to know that India's Athletics squad is the largest unit of individual Olympians this time (33 athletes will be participating in 21 events), India has never won a medal in Athletics post independence , hope this time many athletes will be reaching semifinals and finals and bring at least a medal (Bet is on Renjith, Vikas Gowda and maybe in Relay)

Dipa Karmakar- First ever Indian female to book an Olympic spot in Gymnastics- Wish she wins a medal.

My guess is we may win medals if they continue their recent form in Archery-1 or 2, Shooting- 2 or 3, Hockey-1, Wrestling- 1 or 2, Boxing-1, Gymnastics-1, Athletics-1, Badminton-1 -If we get a medal in Tennis,Golf or other events it will be a bonus.

(Wish we get at least 1 or 2 Gold and Our National anthem will be heard in “Rio”)

Wish all the athletes good luck...Give ur best and make “India” proud-- By seeing ur efforts wish many corporates will come forward along with Government and next generation will take the inspiration from you guys and consider participating in sports.

PS: Very happy to know that Haryana Govt. Will organize a function to honor all the 22 sports persons from the state who have qualified to participate in Rio Olympics, where each of them will be handed cash award of 15 lacs. (20% are from Haryana). They have announced that they will give 6 crore for Gold Medalist, 4 crore for silver and 2.5 cr for Bronze. This type of appreciation is needed for sports persons. Wish all other states and big corporates will follow.

Go India Go :):)

Snap Shot of Indian Football and It's Past Glory

Everyone is geared up and must be eagerly waiting for FIFA 2014 which is going to start on June-12^th

You must be aware of all international teams and their performance in detail, Just want to throw a light on India's position globally in football...

Sad part is in India currently if we ask any football enthusiast to name few players of Manchester, Real madrid or Barcelona teams....we remember all the names ( Even Extras), but we can't even say 3 Indian player names...

India has had a glorious past and its peak of success in football came during 1950's and 60's.The period from 1951 to 1962 is considered the golden era in Indian football

In Olympics :The 1948 London Olympics was India's first major international tournament, where a predominately barefooted Indian team lost 2–1 to France in the opening match, failing to convert two penalties. Sarangapani Raman scored the only goal for India in that match and thus the first Indian international goal ever in the Olympics. Most of the players played with bare foot during this olympics.

India went on to participate in the 1952 Olympics, but lost 10–1 to Yugoslavia in the Preliminary Round. As four years earlier, many of the team played without boots but after the result in the Olympics AIFF immediately made it mandatory to wear boots.

At the 1956 Olympics they finished fourth, which is regarded as one of finest achievements in Indian football. India first met hosts Australia, winning 4–2 with Neville D'Souza becoming the first Asian to score a hat trick in the Olympics and also making India the first Asian team to reach the Olympic semi-finals

India's last representation in Olympics football is in 1960 where they were eliminated in Group stage.

As the other Asians team withdrew India got a chance to participate in 1950 FIFA World cup, but they did not go to the tournament in Brazil due to the cost of travel, lack of practice time, team selection issues and valuing the Olympics over the FIFA World Cup

Asian Games : Champions in the year 1951 and 1962. Latest best is they have entered Quarter finals in 1982

In 1964 AFC Asian Cup India finished as runners up, after that till now they could not make any impact.

India's Best Football Players in last 65 years

Sailendra Nath Manna: He is commonly known as Sailen Manna to his fans. The former captain of Indian football team is considered as one of the best defenders to have been produced by India so far.

In 2000, All India Football Federation paid him honor giving the

“Footballer of the Millennium’ award”

In 1953, he became the only Asian footballer to have been selected in the list of the

10 best captains of the world by the English Football Association.

Jarnail Singh Dhillon: is another gifted player to Indian football. Because of his defensive skill, he is still considered as one of the most outstanding defenders of India.

He became the only Indian to lead the Asian All Star Football team

P K Banerjee: He is another player who is thought to be one of the all time best football players of India.Appearing in 84 matches for his country, he scored 65 goals.

The greatest achievement in his career is perhaps that FIFA named him

Indian Footballer of the 20th century

In 2004, he was given the ‘FIFA Centennial Order of Merit’ which is the highest award from FIFA

During the current Era I.M. Vijayan,Baichung Bhutia, Subrata pal and Sunil Chettri are considered to be the best players.

The Durand Football Tournament is a football competition in India which has a history dating back to 1888. The Durand Cup is the third oldest football competition behind the FA cup and the Scottish Cup

In 1889 India's oldest current team Mohun Bagan AC. was founded as Mohun Bagan Sporting Club

Current FIFA ranking of India is 147 ( Highest-94 and Lowest-169)

The women's game reached a new low in June 2009 when FIFA delisted the side from its world rankings for being out of action for more than 18 months:(:( 

There are millions of football followers in India, but it's a small percentage of the massive population. The game is becoming increasingly popular among a growing middle class, but many of those fans tend to follow the Premier League and other European competitions and aren't emotionally invested in local teams.

The Indian Football Team does not have a permanent stadium as of 2011, due to so many football stadiums not meeting FIFA guidelines. There are only 5 stadiums currently in India that are FIFA and AFC approved .

2017 FIFA Under 17 world cup is going to be played in India.This will be the first time India will host an international football competition at a worldwide level. Luckily as a host nation we will get the opportunity to be in the part of the tournament. Hope we will perform better and it will be the first step in really tapping into the youth market.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter once described India as the "sleeping giant" of international football, and urged the government to allocate land and build infrastructure.

Hope in all aspects Football will gain momentum in India and try to our best in qualifiers of atleast 2026 World cup and be a part of that cup.....

Way to go !!!!! Go India Go !!!!

“Letter to my Parents- Straight from heart”

Dear Mom & Dad,

There are so many things I'd like to tell you both face to face. I have been thinking for a while but never said with you both, I either lack the words or fail to find the time or place. I would like to share few things right from my heart through this post. You'll find, at least in part, the feelings that the passing years have left in my heart. The memories of childhood days and all that you have done to make our home a happy place and growing up such fun.

You both are my first role models, knowingly or un-knowingly many traits I have inhibited from you both. Would like to share few of the many things which I have learned.

Respect to elders : I think I was around 6-7 years when this happened, which was still in my mind as it was happened recently. One day 2-3 elders came to our house for normal visit, when they came, you asked me to wish them hello by folding hands, I said I will not wish and I went inside , you came inside and given me a tight slap ( That was the first and last time you have beaten me) and strictly warned me not to repeat and advised me to respect elders. I used to wish elders from then even though un-willingly it is after few years I have realized the importance of that and I can proudly say that I have never shown disrespect to elders at any point of time in my career till now.

Value of money : You started giving me and brother pocket money even when we were kids . Used to give us only when we have done some work. You asked us to work in the garden of our well wishers or work in our shop when ever there is free time or holidays. The best part is when we used to work in the shop, you have never treated both of us as your sons in work place, treated equally along with other workers. You have taught us the importance of money.

Holistic Development : You have never put pressure on us and made us keep our feet firmly on the ground and move around, never pushed us to study hard . You are strict at the same way given lot of freedom. I used to grumble when you used to say to mom that we have to wash our own clothes and clean our rooms at least once in a week. I used to not understand and grumble at that point of time. I remember you have encouraged me many times to learn at least one musical instrument and you have purchased and brought them to home, but still did not care much at that time. When I see anyone who plays any musical instrument now a days, I feel bad for not listening to you at that time. You have requested many times to learn 4 wheeler driving, but I have never tried saying when we will get chance to buy a 4 wheeler? After 15 years I have learnt but still I am not perfect. The list goes on if I start writing this type of incidents. During those days only you have encouraged us to have holistic development. It took many years for me to realize all these things. I can confidently say that even well educated present generation parents may not bring up their children the way you both have brought us up.

Helping Nature : You have taught us right from childhood to give to the needy in which ever way you can. Dad I still remember one incident where you called me one day and asked me whether I can help one leprosy patient for his eye operation, I have given that amount and was happy as I can help that patient, but I was totally moved when I came to know that as that patient was not having anyone in this world , you have taken him personally to other city and you were there with him for two days and brought him back after the operation was successful. Generally people suffering from leprosy are often ostracized by society,but being with them personally and helping is far better than just giving. Dad, I assure that I will help in what ever way I can to the needy ( I may not be able to do like you, but I will try ).

Mom , you are the sweeeeetest person I have ever met, the amount of patience you have is un imaginable. I am not even having 5 % of what you have ( I can proudly say that if I compare with friends or colleagues I am equal or better but ). I know that you have faced lot of problems when dad used to be on and off from hospitals and at home, but you have never shared those problems or burdens with both of us thinking that we may feel bad and it may affect us. We are grown up now , you can share with us everything. We may not call daily like other kids to their parents but we love you a lot.

Dad, you are highly inspirational to the present generation . At the age of 56 you have joined degree course and decided to sit in the classrooms along with the kids of age 18-20 . Best part is it is not just you applied you were preparing hard for exams and entered 3^rd year.

We are in this position only because of you both. You both and brother are highly instrumental in shaping up my life... Would like to thank God for giving such a wonderful parents and brother. A big salute to you three.

Guys most of you must be having similar experiences like these, but now a days I feel sad when we listen that children are leaving their parents and not taking care of them.

Guys parents are our role models, please give respect to them , take care of them , don't ever neglect them, keep them happy, show love and gratitude and try to make them proud....

With love,

Your son

Take a Break

Friends I would like to share my thoughts about my recent visit to my mom's home town and a village where we used to go during our summer holidays.

Now a days life became so fast, so busy, and so pressured that, for many, it became stressful depriving us of pleasure. Stress is becoming an assumption of modern life and can lead to anxiety and depression. Work communication became so rapid that there is too little time for thinking. Instant information transfer began to substitute for complex communication with others and with ourselves. Does it have to remain that way? Our answer CAN be “No”.

Whether you work outside the home or in it, chances are good that you could occasionally use a break from your schedule. Call it a personal day or a mental health day. Either way, it means that for one golden day, you let go of your usual responsibilities and embrace just being you. Take a break from your busy schedules.

Banish the Cell Phone and Don’t Check Email

Most people carry cell phones like they are another bodily appendage. For this one day, you’re not going to obsessively check your phone. You can keep it in your purse or a pocket just in case of emergency. However, try to resist the temptation to constantly check for emails, text messages, social networking sites, as these things can quickly take you out of your relaxed state of mind.

With a personal day, you can rediscover some of the things that make life worth living. You’ll take the time to notice how green the grass is or appreciate the beauty of the nature and relive the past memories.

Taking a break does not mean that you need to go to famous tourist spots or out of country , just visit your home town or the places where you were grown up, visit your school or just do what you like.

Last month when I went to home town I decided to take one day off and go to the villages where I grew up and used to have lot of fun during vacations.

Me along with my cousins decided to go on a bike. At first we went to a village where we used to spend our summer vacations. It was almost like I was visiting a old movie set

where all childhood innocent days came in to my mind. We visited farm land first, have seen Mirchi, Maize and Paddy fields. Spent almost an hour in those fields , even though it was so hot that day, we did not feel the heat at all as we were enjoying by discussing about our child hood incidents.

Had yummy Desi chicken in our relatives house and moved to one more village which is my mother's home town. On the way to that village we had Goli soda ( Which is seen very rarely now a days ) which we used to have almost daily during child hood days. We first went to a lake which is out side the village where during child hood we used to get scoldings and beatings from elders for entering into the lakes. Spent some time over there by playing in water with stones.

After that we went into the forest. During child hood days we used just go to just short distance as elders used to frighten us by saying wild animals will be there :) but this time we traveled more distance did trekking for almost an hour and spent some time in the Mango fields and near a small lake which is running in between the fields and hills. As it was getting dark in the evening we have started back :( and on the way back in outskirts of one village , we had seen Geetha ice cream ( which used to be very famous 15-20 years back. We used to have for 25paise and 50 paise now

it is of 5 Rs :) , best part is having it standing in front of fields where there was cool breeze during evening time. As there was no lights for my 2 wheeler have to head back as it was getting darker :(

These were only a few of the memories that I had on my visit to parents home town. There are so many more, and I cherish all of them, and I often wish that I could go back and do it all over again. And I will – on my next visit to my hometown.

Seeing the places we used to go invokes up bittersweet memories – sweet because the days that were, bitter because of the days that’ll never be again.

I bet most of you guys will be having similar type of experiences !!! Take a break an arrange a visit with family or friends , it will definitely rejuvenates us and be very active while we rejoin our busy hectic life.

Learn to Appreciate

Yes, you read it right – Did you ever appreciate others? How many times you give appreciation to others when people did good job or great things for you? How often you do it? Do you know that there are some people have never received any appreciation or reward in their lifetime for their good deeds? We are very quick in finding faults but at the same way are we very quick in finding good and appreciating???

Appreciation also means thanks and gratitude, recognition of the quality, value, significance of people and things. Learning to appreciate others can help us live a better life and become a better person.

By saying “I appreciate you” is not a rocket science, you never lost anything by saying it. Appreciating others helps you to enhance your skills;

To help you have a better understanding of appreciation, I want to share below this story with you. Hope you can learn something from it.

A man came home from work and found his 3 children outside, still in their pyjamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers around garden, The door of his wife’s car was open, as was the front door to the house and no sign of the dog. Walking in the door, he found an even bigger mess. In the front room, the cartoon channel was going on on the TV with blasting speakers, the family room was full with toys and various items of clothing.

In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, the fridge door was open wide, dog food was spilled on floor.

He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife.

He was worried she might be ill, or that something serious had happened. He was met with a small trickle of water as it made its way out the bathroom door. As he peered inside he found wet towels, scummy soap and more toys were scattered over the floor.

As he rushed to the bedroom, he found his wife still curled up in the bed in her pyjamas, reading a novel. She looked up at him, smiled and asked how his day went.

He looked at her bewildered and asked, “What happened here today?”

She again smiled and answered, “You know every day when you come home from work and you ask me what in the world do I do all day?”

“Yes,” was his incredulous reply.                       

She answered, “Well, today I didn’t do it.”

Moral of the story: We draw conclusions very easily without judging properly. He came to know the importance of the person once he is affected.

Seldom everyone in our day to day life both in professional and personal life do like this.

Have you recently appreciated a co-worker or your employee at work?

Is appreciating your employees part of your leadership plan and process?

How many managers are actually using appreciation to energize their workforce? And, why they should be doing it on a regular basis – appreciation and recognition are critical to talent retention.

Everyone has an invisible sign hanging from their neck saying, “Make me feel important.” Never forget this message when working with people.
– Mary Kay Ash

Compliment often and with Honesty

Just saying “Good job” might not be the best way to get the praise across. Display sincerity and be specific in praising your employees. Send an email to the employee and if you wish CC to the HR personnel or another senior manager in your division. On being specific, mention the specific task or the project you were impressed with for this particular employee, if the employee is a good team player, add that to the testimonial.
Don’t be a miser when showering words of praises towards your employees or coworkers, and neither should you present false praise; be honest and to the point.
Empathetic employers have happier employees; invest wisely in your people and your company shall retain best talents and render the best in performance.

• The basic idea is simple: People will work harder and more enthusiastically for an appreciative boss, and companies that praise topnotch performance are more profitable than those that don’t.

Therefore, Both in professional and personal life, before you can learn how to express appreciation toward others, you must first learn how to feel appreciative.

Take these steps to learn to feel appreciation:

1. Appreciate the world around you: Take a few moments in each day to notice useful or beautiful things around you and smile at them. Imagine what the world would be like without them. Take a deep breath and be thankful for their existence (and keep smiling!).
2. Express Your appreciation of world to others:Tell a friend how much you appreciate breezy spring days or hot tea in the morning. Learn to verbalize your appreciation.
3. Practice appreciating yourself:At the end of each day, ask yourself “What can I truly be proud of today?”. Say it aloud or write it down. Practice recognizing in yourself the type of things you want to appreciate in others.
4. Express appreciation to others: Tell people that you appreciate them and why. If it feels strange, start with people where you have few power dynamics or attachments, then move onto employees, colleagues and loved ones.

An interesting experiment is to try to say something nice to or about someone every day for a month. It encourages us to change our perspective so that we notice others' good qualities. Doing so also improves our relationships tremendously.

Try to praise the person whom you don't like very much.

We need to try to cultivate the habit of noticing what is beautiful, brave, struggling, hopeful, kind, and inspiring in others. If we pay attention to that, we won't be focusing on their faults. Our joyful attitude and speech that result from this will enrich those around us and will nourish happiness and love within ourselves. The quality of our own lives thus depends on whether we find fault with our experience or see what is beautiful in it.

Seeing the faults of others is about missing opportunities to love. When we are habituated with mentally picking out the faults of others, we tend to do this with ourselves as well. This can lead us to devalue our entire lives.

So friend's be happy , appreciate others, spread love and live to the fullest.