Maradona is back

Lionel Messi scored an incredible goal for F.C Barcelona some weeks back.

The similarities between this not-so-messy messi goal, to the goal-of-the-century is eerie. Maradona had scored in the exact same way, only one goal after his infamous hand-of-god goal of 1986. Both the players have similar physiques, similar styles, and of course, both wear their white-and-sky-blue's when they play for their country.

Messi demonstrates all the prime qualities expected of the world's top striker - the close ball control, the incredible burst of speed, the deceptive change in directions and for the finale, pin-point accuracy in front of goal. All of the qualities evident in one incredible goal.

A spectacular goal from yet another brilliant Argentine forward. Take a bow, all you Ronaldo's - we have another Argentine striker on the blocks.

Peace and Growth in the emerging new world

In a beautiful dissection of the state of affairs for India and the world in general, Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon gave a speech titled 'India and International Security'.

Menon talks about the change in the world that has occurred as Indian has matured from a fledgling new born country into a world leader.

At independence, it was natural that the primary task of India's foreign and security policies was to enable India to begin the process of economic and social transformation that a poor and backward country required.

The immediate objectives were therefore a peaceful environment, strategic space and autonomy, free of entanglement in Cold War conflicts or alliances. Non-alignment, as this policy was called, was the ability to judge issues on their merits and their effect on India's interests, or, as our first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru used to say, 'enlightened self-interest'.

Six decades later, we face a different world. The end of the Cold War, accelerating processes of globalisation and the salience of trans-national challenges characterise the current global scene. India too has undergone a profound internal change during this period.

Economic growth and modernisation are transforming our society at an unprecedented pace. The impact of technology is being increasingly felt. Movements of goods, services, capital and people connect us more closely than ever to once distant societies.

He discusses in detail the role of India in its immediate neighborhood as well as in the World. A very well made observation is the seemingly obvious, but unfortunately under-appreciated importance of co-existence.

Menon discusses India in context with all its immediate neighbors and emphasizes the importance of not only maintaining peace, but points out the inter-dependence that these countries inherently have.

He also addresses the other concerns that our global society faces - he addresses the over-rated issue of terrorism and the under-rated issue of Environmental Change (in my opinion). A very interesting and legitimate point he makes in understanding these concerns is, where he mentions how the new world must re-align itself to the new world order.

If our international institutions are not dealing successfully with the challenges of today, one reason is the fact that they no longer reflect current or emerging realities of power.

A very interesting article. Check out the entire speech over here.

An hour with Colbert

A video where Colbert is interviewed for a change. Take a look.

Colbert did some hilarious segments on bollywood some time back that may be known to all. On a slightly different yet interesting note though, here is another interview he did with Shashi Tharoor. Funny !

The answer to everything

Do you want to know the answer to the meaning of life ? Do you wonder about the answer to the universe ? Would you like to have that one single answer to everything ?

Hold your breath.

Concentrate.

Hear it from me now. Hear the answer you have always been seeking.

Here is the answer which will solve all your problems, end all your wanderings and be the ultimate fruit of all your cogitations. Here is the path to eternal tranquility. Here lies the seed of brahman and here is the sound of Aum.

Are you ready for the answer ? pakkka ? ? Here we go then.

The answer is 42.

Sounds incredible ? Check it by googling it up or check it here.

Tathaastu ! :)