IPL: Cricket Personified

Greetings Cricket/IPL Lovers

Hope all my fellow batsmen and bowlers are happily leading their innings. IPL 6 just took off and i'm sure all of you are all padded and guarded to face near two months of non-stop nail biters. With every passing year IPL is becoming a bigger and fattier phenomena. Thanks to all the big money and effort being poured into the Gentlemen's Game. Everywhere I go these days, the only thing people discuss about is cricket and IPL. At the restaurant, the owner and waiters; at the office, my colleagues; at the saloon, the barber(without bothering whether he is cutting thru my hair or neck), at the market, people in the front and people at the back.....everybody is talking about IPL.

And to tell you more, our dear IPL is second to none when it comes to making judicious use of social media. You can watch live matches on Youtube IPL Channel(sponsored by Indiatimes), tweet your views on the ongoing matches and get latest news using the #IPL Twitter Handle, can log onto the IPL Facebook Fan Page for getting to know more facts about this cricketing phenomena, and even join IPL Google+ Hangout(sponsored by Google) to interact directly with cricket experts over matches. Amazingly interactive...isn't it!?

I have a confession to make...I am so in love with social media!!!

Coming back onto the discussion, I believe its the larger than life image of IPL that appeals to the 1.27 billion people out there(add another 5 to the 1.27 billion who just popped out in the 5 seconds you took to read this). Everything including media, big money, flashy life, adverts, brands, popularity, cult following, make it all the more desired by you, me and every other tom, dick and harry(and seeta and geeta too).

Brands(as always) are leveraging a lot from IPL in any and every way possible. Associating something with cricket in India, and that too with such a favored platform, you are surely going to leave an impression on the eyeballs and make a mark on the minds of the onlookers and followers. IPL as a platform can make you reach as many Indians as possible and make you visible like no one else can. Such is the power of this event!!!

Brands like DLF, Pepsi, Kingfisher, Star, Yes Bank, Matrix, Bajaj Allianz and many many more are leaving no stone unturned to associate with this mega event and become the preferred brands for a whole nation.

* Crazy Idea Begins*

So I was just sitting and rocking my head(as usual) for some ideas to seep out when a thought struck me. Why not draw an analogy between the coveted game of Cricket and our routine lives. Probably thats another reason why we can connect so well with it(just kidding, its the "fun" part thats the reason :p)

So a match is like our life, players are "we the people", runs are our dreams, dismissals are the failures, wickets are "things we value", umpires are the influencers(parents, teachers, bosses) and third umpire is none other than GOD himself!(joking about the last one...haha)

Point to be noted, much like our shortening lives, Cricket matches have also shortened with time. From the earlier times of only Test Matches to the modern day 20-20. God knows how much more they are going to cut it short.

So everybody these days is busy playing their IPL innings. They change stances depending upon the situations faced; batting or bowling when they want to achieve something and fielding when they must grab opportunities coming their way. Its always the singles that matter more in life much like working constantly towards achievement of smaller goals and missions, whereas fours and sixes act more as bigger achievements that motivate and exhilarate us. There are times when we tend to let some opportunities pass by and someone else grabs a catch of them and you fail. And then there are times when someone throws an opportunity towards you and it is either seized or dropped, depending upon how well prepared you are for it. And then there are times when you are unaware whether you have failed or succeeded; and there comes indications and signals from our parents, partners, teachers, bosses and friends, making us realize the outcomes.
That said, I take pride in proving my hypothesis...
LHS = RHS
Hence Proved! :p

* Crazy Idea Ends *

I believe IPL has given us another way of rejoicing ourselves by dancing, singing, shouting, laughing out loudly and having fun to the maximum!

Choose your team today, start shouting and enjoy it to the max. And in the end I'll say...Divided by Teams, United by the Spirit of IPL.

Let that trumpet sing aloud!!!!!(play the video below to immerse yourself in the sound of IPL)

Keep watching and keep smiling.....



Cheers!

Gagan

We, the Social Media Animals!!!

Hi Guys

Hope you're all doing well in your personal/online lives. The reason why I mentioned "online" is for the simple fact that these days online presence has become such an important aspect of our lives that bank accounts are opened many years after opening online accounts on social networking websites. Those days are not far away when you'll have to validate yourself using a social network account in order to secure an admission in a college or get a job in a company. Anybody not having online presence would be considered a martian/plutonian/non-earthling.

They say humans are social animals, but looking at the rapid escalation of users at networking sites, it would not be wrong to identify us with the new pseudonym "social networking animals". A number of social networking platforms with whacky names(remember....."whacky is appealing") have come up for the internet users to use and improve their social networking. Unlike earlier times when in order to know the credibility of someone, people used to inquire about the test score of others, they now inquire about their "Klout Score". The social status of an individual is based on his social media status. Some of the famous social media platforms and their personalities(my suggestions) are:

Orkut: The Dead Man

Facebook: The Advertiser

Twitter: The Short Man/The Man who likes Brevity

Google+: The New Boy in the Town

Instagram: The Photographer

Pinterest: The Visual Artist

Four Square: The Detective

I still remember those old times when i was first introduced to orkut. It was an amazing way of expressing oneself, showing off your possessions, telling other about your moods,displaying your photos and what not. I never knew at that point of time that Social Media was just a toddler growing fast...really fast! Though orkut has now become like a retired hurt batsman, but there are 10 new batsmen standing ready to substitute it(as i always say, India is a cricket crazy nation.....you need to relate everything to cricket for a majority to approve your point).

So i sat quietly and thought for a while, what are the supplements behind this enormous muscle growth of this toddler. Lets take a look:


1) Youngistan: Its that time of this nation when the estimated population of India under 35 years of age is 66%. This set is computer literate,outgoing, ambitious, socially hyperactive. Presently there are 5+ crore such Indian members on FB and the numbers are growing everyday.

2) Coveted Internet: Internet availability even in the remotest of areas has improved significantly over the past few years. Broadband has high penetration levels across cities now. This has made internet access to Tom, Dick & Harry pretty easy. They can now be online for as long as they want unlike old times when they had to keep a track of minute hand of the clock hung in the cyber cafe.

3) Radiation Devices: Yeah you're right, i meant mobiles. With the smartphones finding their place in every pocket these days, getting in touch with your social media circle is just a tap away. There are 3G connections(i know 2G scam crossed your mind too) readily available on these superman smartphones. That's a complete recipe to social media.

4) Information Hunger: Its an information hungry youth. It can be any sorts of information like, news, humor, movies, sports etc which these people are seeking. Due to ease of access and functionality of these social media networks, you can share any sort and amount of information you intend to share. People now depend more on the advices posted about a restaurant on social media by their peers than what the restaurant website claims. The best info is first hand self experienced info.

5) Escalating Statuses: Its in fashion to possess multiple social network accounts. One gives you freedom to share anything, the other gives you freedom to share your thoughts, another gives you the freedom of sharing what you click. If people around you get to know that you are someone with social networking absenteeism, a number of eyebrows will surely be raised.

6) Commercial Twist: Taking into consideration the number of people using such social networks the commercial lions(read companies, organizations, retailers) have waken up to devour on the consumer lamb(read we the spenders). The numbers of companies making use of social media is incrementing every day. They do realize the power of interacting directly with the consumers and converting them into influencers for others. Four Square is one such application which provides its users with offers and discounts as and when they check-in to their favorite restaurants and eateries.

It'll be nice if you can share other such factors in the comments, which i mite have missed out on.

I believe that's enough of the social media gyan to turn you into a social media animal, or if you are already one, to turn you into a more fierce species of it.

Till the next time, keep posting, tweeting, checking-in and most important of all..... Keep Smiling :)


Cheers!
Gagan(Your very own social media animal in the making)

Eureka! Its Simple!

Hey Guys

First of all, a Very Happy New Year to all of you. Lets hope this year brings about loads of happiness, peace, prosperity.....blah and blah and blah. My wishes would hardly make a difference.....all depends upon how "you" want it to be. Just be positive about things happening around, make sincere efforts in doing what you are doing, do something selflessly, and things would start falling in place.
Anyhow, hope you all are doing good in your lives. Had some ideas running a marathon across my restless mind.Time to provide these ideas the turf of this blog post to run free.....

Disclaimer: This post might be inclined a bit towards the philosophical side. Will try and make it interesting though, still if at all it starts boring you, remember the red cross button on the top of the browser is your friend, just press it and voila, its all gone :)

So there were days when i used to shy away just at the mere thought of meeting someone I've never met before.....
"How would I face someone?", "What would I talk to them about?", "How should I conduct myself in front of them?" Such questions used to haunt me at the back of mind. Though, outside I could pretend to be the usual cool dude.
They say "slow and steady wins the race". Yes it does, only if on your way to the finish line you learn from your mistakes, realize your strengths and catch hold of cues that would help you win.
Gradually, trust me, as gradually as it could be.....I realized, the factors that enable you to win over this "People Inhibitive Disorder" and become an interesting personality(This is no self bragging, just some self realization...). These might already be there in your mind and in practice too, but hey its always good to refresh those grey cells ;)
Let me take you thru this miraculous list. Please feel free to make any additions, deletions, modifications as the case may be:

1) Non-Martian: Trust me, you are going to interact with an earthling and not a Martian(Do they even exist!?). Your counterpart is just a normal person much like you. They have their personal traits, strengths, weaknesses, insecurities. They might just be good at presenting a very polished self in front of you. Remember, this polish they used to shine it all up is readily available within you as well.....in your mind. Just feel good about yourself.

2) Body Language: It matters a lot lot. At times I come across people who would walk up to me and shake hands as if I am in a fish market and the hawker just handed over a trout in my hand or as if I have just been endowed with Knighthood and the Queen just extended her hand for me to give it a peck. Right from walking down to your counterpart, to shaking hands, to standing in a posture, to the position of your hands, it all matters. Offer a stiff hand for a handshake, stand tall, never quiver like the Red Riding Hood.....be aware of your limbs. Ensure they are in your control all the while.

3) Ears are for listening: Though you can also wear and show-off pricy ornaments on these if you wish to. Jokes apart, it is an important task to ensure you register what your counterpart is trying to convey. Don't let your ears act like a tunnel, what goes in from one end comes out of the other in the same form. Make these like a food processor, carrot goes in...juice comes out.

4) Take genuine interest: Everybody desires and deserves attention. Make sure you bring down some justice to the speaker or else they'll go out in pursuit of another "interest taker". People take interest in you when they know you are interested in what they are talking about.

5) Be Informed: Its always good to try your hand on a bit of things happening around you. Its not essential to know the architecture of a jet engine to strike a conversation. Merely knowing that Rolce Royce makes these engines is more than enough.

6) Simplicity Rules: No one is expecting you to churn out tongue twisting bulldozer form words to make yourself heard. Make it effective by using much clear and simple words that the world can understand and connect with. People always welcome simple and eloquent talks rather than rattling words the size of Burj Khalifa.

7) Red Button: Always keep the red button to stop in your own hands. Its not essential to speak like a radio when you get the opportunity. Take turns to speak and insert your idea in the talk.

8) (2+2=4): Look the person straight in the eyes while talking. Let there be that invisible mode of contact between the two of you. This will always make an impact upon the listener. Shows that you do not lack confidence.

These are some of the "self-assessed" points I believe can make you come out as a person people would like to interact with. Obviously, there are no thumb rules when it comes to us humans. There can be numerous other additions to the list above.
I know this serpentine form of a post must have made your eyes and mind bleed, but I told you to be aware of this in the beginning(remember your friend, the savior red button).
I'll try and come up with something less torturing the next time.

Thats it. The fuel of this post has exhausted and time for me to park it here.

Don't forget to keep that smile on :)


Cheers!
Gagan ;)