Dear all,
"Hello Bacher! Its Hansie
Speaking!!" - And Cricket World will never be the same again. More revealations!
More Shock!!. Its disaster for cricket fans like us...By the way, when
is India's next match? - Incorrigible?... Me?! May be..
I was ill last week with Cold
& Cough.. NO NO, not so bad that I should inform my parents. Understood!
So Dont do that! Also I left you to enjoy ur holidays peacefully- Reasons
for belated Polish times.
Today in Polish Times, How
far people in Poland knows about India & its culture, people etc. since
the vice versa is known to everyone.. I was surprised to some extent on
lack of awareness of people.
India - Land of Gandhi
& Spritual Myths
In a mini survey I have conducted
here in Poland reveals that Gandhi is the single most Historian from India
whom everyone knows. IndiraGandhi is another name people know.
Surprise!! If you are an ardent
devotee of "Sai Baba", you have got lotsa company here. When I digged depth
on this, I came to know that a year ago, there was an article on SaiBaba
in a famous Newspaper explaining the wonders he do & all those things.
(Personally, I just don't believe in this so-called Demi-Gods!!). Since
then his populrity has growing day by day. Many Polish guys make a trip
to India to his ashram & stay there for two months or so. I heard many
saying words like "Bhajan","ashram".
One Middle aged Lady who visited
India said that she liked India very much for its Spritual & Religious
Ways. When I asked her the Purpose of visit , "KARMA"- she yelled(really).
I was startled a bit. She surprised me with more questions about Ramayana,
Mahabharatha etc..
Obviously, New Delhi as capital
leads the table followed by Bombay in known cities list. Bangalore missing
out entirely.
Ofcourse, Many knows that
Indian Girl was the Miss World this year. It really helped to create &
improve India's image. I laughed when French friend wondered why no french
girl won that title for long since French is synonym with Beauty &
Fashion.("But U have to answer few questions Blondes!")
Indo-Pak animosity is quite
known here too. There were instances when I had to explain why India went
Nuclear to Polish guy in a Bar. When he asked why did we tested nuclear
since poland is not doing so , I was tempted to say "We can,You cannot".
In Sports, they know that
there is a game called Cricket. But "Krishnan family, Amritaraj, Leander
& Bhupathi" are relatively known people here.They do remember like
us that once India was the best hockey team.
Another fact that majority
of people know is India's Population. They are surprised to know when I
told them that we have got 25 such states as Poland. (Sometimes I find
it difficult not to sound arrogant when I speak about india) Also that
India produces most no of films in a year etc..
For my part, I do speak about
India with sense of Pride though I may not agree with few things.I explain
people about the Indian family, 17 languages, Million Gods, its strength
of unity in Diversity as shown in times of Kargil, etc.
Tail piece
Saw "The American Beauty"
- Tragic Comedy on American suburban life, Kevin Spacey at his best was
good. Still I think Sixth Sense should have got atleast two Oscars. (Poor
Indian!!)
This week had some special
dishes in Indian Hotel. Prakash told me that he will prepare some typical
spicy Madrasi Briyani when I go next time.
Till we meet again,
Keep Smiling Yaar!
Your friend chandru