A NEW YEAR, A NEW BEGINNING!

2010 is all poised to end-on a high note for some, on a "not-so high" note for others. It's the last day of the year and then we would all enter into a new beginning, a new ambience with renewed energy and a new zeal to start everything afresh.

Of course, celebrations won't wait for the first day of 2011, everything would begin today. Resolutions would be rampant among folks and messages and phone calls- won't seem to cease; would be raining incessantly. Offers from various companies have already started pouring termed as "New- Year Offers." It can now be deemed as an equivalent to another major festival celebrated by everyone irrespective of religion (secular festival).

Have we ever pondered about the essence of the occasion? Are we really committed to start everything afresh with a new hope towards our goal? Or is it simply because others are celebrating, we bend ourselves to flow along the direction of water current? Such thoughts may seem critical in the wake of the occasion but a peek sneak into the matter reveals something to be worried about.

Time won't wait, years would roll on. Celebrations would enter and fade away. At the end of our life, what would matter is the way we shaped up our lives all these years, the way we made things happen and the way we took charge of our destiny. What harm would be there if we this celebration ends up as our first step towards giving a meaning to our life, finding the purpose of our existence and making a success out of it?

Every second that is yet to come can be the perfect time for a new beginning, the crafting of a new success story. We are completely unaware of the plans that destiny holds for us in the future but we can certainly put our best foot forward to be the architect of our own story. Let us push ourselves to the limit, give it our heart and soul, come out of our comfort zone and switch on to the next higher gear( using synchromesh devices) and achieve something in life that can inspire others. Let us lead by example and there is no better way to start than commencing on the New Year's day!

Wishing everyone a glorious and vibrant 2011, full of life and colours and enthusiasm. Let's make this beginning a memorable one, the beginning which we can cherish for years to come, the beginning which can be termed as the first step of another success story! It's up to us to decide what we aspire to accomplish- achieve the zenith or perish in the bylanes of anonymity.

Technology and Social Life

How ironic does it sound when we say man is a social being and at the same time, it's the man who is responsible for the development and advancement of technology which has proved detrimental to the very basis of a human being's identity!

It seems more surprising to find out that technology, which was developed to combat with the increasing loneliness that mankind suffers today, has itself evolved into a cause for greater pain and loneliness. In this world of virtual relationships , the fact that we have got a real social life to deal with, has almost deserted our mind and even soul! We no longer find it possible to spare a moment out of our "hectic schedule" to devote to some long lasting relationships, yet we do find time to entertain ourselves with social networking sites and virtual relationships. We have enough time and money to spend on talking to someone on phone but we have forgot to give a damn about who are our neighbors. We can afford to spend hours and hours before the idiot box and personal laptops; yet we find it too tiresome to make a face to face interaction with someone. Seems ridiculous, indeed!

No one can deny the fact that technology has smoothened our lives. We live a life of comfort and luxury thanks to technology. But have we ever asked ourselves what may be the consequences of such mindless persuasion of luxury. We may have heaps of notes around us but we would still be poor, not in terms of the numerical digits of our annual earnings but in terms of a meaningful social life. We would be having every inanimate thing essential for an affluent life but we would be suffering from loneliness and frustration. We would be craving for someone to talk to, to share our feelings with but then we would discover ourselves in a lonely island which may never get connected again to the main land!

Backhand does it all!

A new chapter got underway for 2011 when Roger Federer got the better of his arch nemesis Rafael Nadal to clinch a record-equalling fifth Masters title at the O2 Arena of London.

It was the perfect final for a tennis fan- World No. 1 Rafael Nadal vs World No. 2 Roger Federer.The crowd was indundated with euphoria. Exhilaration satiated the ambience- the crowd could not have asked for more. As the two unbeaten champions of the tournament emerged in a cloud of smoke, the fans roared in applause. The moment seemed to have paused then and there.

Though the match lacked the skills and variations that were rampant at the Wimbledon final 2008 between the two, yet the consequence has now dwindled the excitement that 2011 is going to witness in men's tennis. Roger Federer coming to his best form after a mid-season fall, was majestic against an erring Nadal. Roger Federer got the better of his rival 6-3,3-6,6-1 against a star-studded background.

The backhand, usually considered as the Achilles Hill of Federer, proved to be the weapon of destruction this time. It not only survived the pressure of Nadal's topspin but also produced cross court winners beyond Rafa's reach. The cross court forehand was a beauty. Marked by pin-point accuracy and precision, Federer seemed invincible and indeed there are few things that could match Federer's brilliance when the Maestro is at his sublime best.

Federer kept the points short and sharp. He made his intention to attack clear from the very first point. His accurate footwork was on display always allowing him enough time to choose from his tool kit. The most important of all was the backhand slice, which clicked like magic. It stayed low and drew Rafa out of his hitting zone.

Though 5 titles including a Grand Slam would be a slim pickings for Roger by his lofty standards, yet this man bounces back everytime he is written off; just issuing an ominous signal to the rest of the field- "Write off Roger at your own peril." The triumph has not only renewed the rivalry between the two great exponents of the sport but also set the perfect springboard for Roger to start 2o11 with brimming confidence.

The year for Roger started with the Australian Open and ended with the Tour Finals-it has come a full circle and now it seems "All is well " again in King's court!