What does Obama's election mean to India

Content Advisory: This article is not about Obama's political rhetoric on outsourcing nor the foreign policy or economic policies which are being closely watched upon by firms and parties alike back in India.

Who is Mr. Barack Hussein Obama, the first time Senator from Illinois who has sprung from obscurity into world limelight in a time frame of mere 20 months. The most charismatic American president after a certain JFK, what has he done thats so revolutionary in the united states and the tone that has been set for the world.

What does it mean to India, what can India learn from this massively and brilliantly co-ordinated campaign which translated into an euphoric victory. ???

watch out for my next போச்ட் !!!!!!

World cup's over - Rosicky in , is Cole heading out

The World cup ended in despair and dissapointment for Thierry Henry and other Gunners but its time to look for the Champions League and the English Premier League. Enter Rosicky the Crown prince of Czech football for the new season, this could prove to be one of the best buys of the year at 6mn pounds. Think about a player like Rosicky at such a measly price compared to Britain's own Curtis Davies at around 10mn, sure player values have been inflated a lot in the Isles no wonder why Wenger looks abroad when fishing for talent. Ashley Cole might be leaving for Chelsea for a 20Mn fee but got to wait for things to materialise.

Our big guys should be back after a well deserved break and I am looking forward to the new season.

Gallant Gunners hard done by harsh decisions

10 heroes 1 Fallen warrior fought Barcelona for 76 minutes on the highest stage of European football. Arsenal's young lads fought hard and were undone by several bad decisions by the referee and brought an end to their glorious campaign. The fitting finale, the dream final for the coveted prize on the fitting stage of Paris was spoilt when Jens Lehmann was sent off for a foul on Eto after Arsenal had started so brightly and were the better team till then. Henry could have scored a brilliant opener in the second minute and Arsenal looked like dominating the Catalans in the opening exchanges. As fate would have it, Lehmann was sent off in the 18th minute but Arsenal played bravely and took the lead in the 38th minute through Sol Campbell's header. For the next 40 minutes the Gunners were in complete control of the game and even had a couple of great chances. Henry skipped past a couple of defenders majestically and had a one on one with Valdes, Ljunberg had his shot saved, Hleb was unfortunate and it looked Arsenal were all set to rule Europe. Barcelona's big guns tried hard without much luck but when Henrik Larson entered the fray there was more bite in the attack. Eventually in the 76th minute barcelona scored which turned out to be an offside later on. From then on it was very hard for Arsenal with the momentum being with Barca and doom struck in the 80th minute. After that was a piece of cheap football b Barcelona keeping the ball in their own half. Barcelona might have won the Champions League but Arsene Wenger's men would have surely won more fans by their fabulous effort. Its just an indication of things to come with Henry deciding to stay with Arsenal for the rest of his career. This young team would definetely play with lots of style
and grace the footballing field.

Gunners bring the curtains down at Highbury in style

What more could you expect in a day, End of an era at Highbury after 93 years, retirement of Dennis "Master" Bergkamp, the anxiety of next year's champions league football. It all ended perfectly for this great North London team who play with a swagger right after a man named Arsene Wenger took the reins of the club.

It all ended in the best possible way any human could dream off after moments of agony and ecstasy combined and interwoven together. When Wigan took the lead in the middle of the first half compunded by Totenham's equalizer at almost the same moment, it looked as though it would be a sad farewell to Highbury but it was not to be. Roll over 90 seconds you had the mercurial Frenchman Thierry Henry levelling it for Arsenal. Such was the excitement at the ground that the crowd kept their radio sets glued to their ears keeping tabs on the action at Upton park where West Ham were battling Tottenham. Henry scored his 9th hat trick in his peerless career at North London and put off any scares and anxiety. At the other end West ham scored through Benyouni, which effectively meant Tottenham had to score 2 goals in 10 minutes. The task has been accomplished, Arsenal will play in next season's Champions league at the Ashburton Grove. Sad the achievement's grace had to be stained with Tottenham's food poisoning saga.

It is going to be a spectacle playing at the new stadium with the professor leading his bright wards into Ashburton Grove. It may be Bergkamp's last season, Pires might follow with Henry and Cole, I am not even sure this young Arsenal team is ready to challenge Chelsea and Manchester United for the Premiership title but I am convinced that the flavour of Wenger football would continue. The game at its subliminal best which has graced Highbury for so long would continue at Ashburton Grove.


Ronaldinho! Who? Bring on Barcelona the young gunners are waiting for you at Paris with their astute guide Arsene Wenger and their leader Thierry Henry who grew up on the suburbs of Paris.

DB-10 The True Dutch Master

This day would remain to be one of the most emotional days at Highbury, the 10 Shirt which has graced the North London club is coming to its final chapter of its illustrious career. Dennis Bergkamp the true Dutch Master was given his tribute at Highbury today and was celebrated as DB 10. It is a notable coincidence that the former Ajax man's career and Highbury's previelage of being Arsenal's ground are coming to an end together. Arguably one of the game's most skilled players to have graced the game and hailed as one of the most technical player of his generation. Many even call him the finest to ever play for the Gunners and it would be an emotional evening when Bergkamp plays his testimonial match at Ashburton Grove on July 22. The softest touches when required and the brutal force combined has made rival keepers shiver at their lines. Few can ever forget the goal he scored against Newcastle United one of the beautifull goals ever scored in the EPL and the deadly strike against Argentina at France'98 are just a few to name in this illustrious player's career.

It would be a fitting tribute to this great player if Arsenal can win the Champions League this year. One of the gentlemanly characters to step on the pitch, Dennis you would be missed !!!!

India capitulate at Mumbai to English attack

India lost 7 wickets in 96 balls after lunch to collapse to a 213 run defeat to Flintoff's men. India chasing 295 for victory on the final day lost early wickets which brought Dravid and Sachin to the wicket. Indian hopes harboured with the 2 men who are indisputably India's finest batsmen to save the test or even to launch an assault. Hard did they try but Flintoff's persistence paid off with Rahul Dravid getting an outside edge. When Sachin got one turning from Shaun Udal and played into Ian Bell's hands, the Indian collapse was inevitable. But the way in which the collapse happened was appaling with the Indians falling like nine pins without any sign of resistance. Dhoni in particular can never be forgiven for the shot he played back to back against Udal and it defies any kind of explanation.

From England's point of view this test marked the return of James Anderson who burst into the scene 3 years back by taking the fastest 50 wickets and went into exile. He bowled with brisk pace and took key wickets in the match. Flintoff has become a colossal figure in this English side and was rightly awarded the Man of the Match and Man of the Series. He has captained this young side to a famous victory and has become a great leader.

Amazing Arsenal blow away the Italian machine

What a Night!!!!!!!!!!! Arsenal beating Juventus 2-0 at Highbury and more surprising was that Juve did not have a single shot on goal nor did threaten Lehmann. Patrick Vieira's return to his former club ended in sheer dissapointment for Fabio Capello's men who were trully outplayed by the Gunners. The sheer wight of Juventus was against this young Arsenal side, with players like Trezeguet, Ibrahimovic, Camoneresi, Vieira, Buffon, Cannavaro, Thuram, Emerson all true greats of the modern game but the Gunners put up an emphatic display of football. It was even until the first 30 minutes but once Arsenal started passing the ball with more pace and zest the Italian side started to break. The first goal would be the classic headline of many a newspaper tommorow morning " Vieira robbed of the ball and his successor Fabregas scored the Opener to leave Buffon rooted". Patrick was stopped in his stride by a brilliant tackle by fellow frenchman Pires and the ball was played to Thierry who found Fabregas in front of the goal and the young Catalan put the Gunners ahead in Style. Arsenal should have gone ahead by 2 goals in the next 3-4 minutes. After the break it was Arsenal all the way attacking with vigour, the one touch passing of the Gunners proving to be too much for the Italians. A great ball by Hleb opened up Fabregas and Henry provided the finishing touches to this great game. Juventus did themselves no favours by indulging in rash tackles with Zebina and Camorenesi red carded while Vieira yellow carded and would miss the return leg. This certainly plays heavily into the North London side for the return leg.

Wenger has justified himself by entrusting the midfield to Fabregas who has played some amazing football in the past 3 months and especially in the Champions League. This Arsenal side has surely struck form and its heartening to see the way they are gelling together. Barring any unexpected incidents Arsenal should go through to the first SemiFinal in the Champions league.