From nurturing horses, criminals, cricketers....and what more??

Horse Race: Turf Club : Horses::Cricket: Stadium : Players!...makes for a pretty good analogy, isn't it ?.

Notwithstanding the shifting of the Bangalore Turf Club to the city's outskirts, the launch of "KPL" or the Karnataka Premier League is proving to be the ideal replacement. With a total of eight teams likely to be owned by filmstars, movie production houses, underworld dons and politicians the league provides them with a great breeding ground for establishing a wider base in the state, not to mention all the betting, gambling that comes along.

While the relocation of the turf club comes as a disappointment to many, for some the KPL comes as a blessing to make more money, catapult growth of unscrupulous elements, all in the name of 'CRICKET'. It doesn't come as much of a surprise with Anil Kumble making his displeasure evident. Kumble has a point when he says the league will encourage lot of backdoor entry. The former captain is spot on. From betting on horses to cricketers, the action from the Bangalore Turf club shifts a few miles down to the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium.

With two teams from Bangalore, six teams from mofussil's and media coverage the stakes are high. Another point Kumble makes is about the modest pay caps on players and the overall format. With each association getting an annual grant from the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), the K.S.C.A (Karnataka State Cricket Association) certainly has the wherewithal to run a tournament, develop the game throughout the state on its own terms. If at all the state association believes it lacks the marketing abilities, it could have brought in expertise from professional sports management firms like IMG, develop a business model and take the game forward.

Over the years Karnataka cricket has seen the greatest of cricketers represent the country. Its hypocritical when all those bidding for these teams vouch for the game's developement. And it surely doesn't require a KPL to be held to foster talents. Encouraging elements for whom the game, it's players and the development is of least priority would be the last thing that cricket needed. But at the end of the day it boils down to business.

For the player's, with instant success, fame and money through the IPL's (Indian Premier League) and KPL's the desire and motivation to play for their state teams, Ranji Trophy and the longer version of the game is sure to take a beating. And the signs are ominous. Hope sanity prevails.

Owners bidding for teams include :

Upendra, Ramya, Sudeep, Rockline Venkatesh (actors & producers), Muthappa Rai (underworld don-turned-politician), Sriramulu (Minister), Ambareesh (actor&politician), industrialist Jagannath Y, politician Jayprakash Hegde and educational group Jain Group of institutions.

Likely team owners

My neighbour - "Teresa"..

If there's one place where I've spent more time than Bangalore, its Bristol. There was a great connect with the place in a lot of ways. And when things happen unexpectedly you tend to enjoy all the more. Sometimes it takes time to adapt and the initial days were quite boring. But soon it was fun. Everything about Bristol was great. The food, travel, shopping, soccer, Horfield sports center, cricket, cycling, the pubs and much more :-)

While i kind of hated travelling initially, i realized it was infact great fun going around Europe. That was the best thing to happen. Although a veggie, food was never an issue. I loved the McVities chocolate biscuit and almond croissant from Tesco, the breakfast at my workplace Aztec West which included scrambled eggs, toast and honey, hashbrown and bakedbeans, the cereal bars and Lucozade sports drink. Everyone loved the Horfield sports center, for its facilities were magnificent. It had a swimming pool with warm water, squash courts, gym and a makeshift basketball/football/badminton court. The 5-a side football game at Horfield was a great pastime and everyone of us (Caritor/Keane employees) would be eager for the weekend to kick some ass on the court.

While i cherish the whole experience one thing which i miss about Bristol is my doting neighbour Teresa Lines. When i came back to Bangalore i made it a point to keep in touch with her either through phone or mail. Her husband Vic, an avid sports lover was on medication for quite a long time and passed away in 2007. Her grandchildren lived close by, couple of roads away but Teresa lived alone. Whenever i called her she'd instantly recognize through my voice and would start the conversation in her own inimitable style "khaaaurtikkk(read karthik).... hi my love.... how r u????" with a laugh. I'd always joke around with her and crack some stupid jokes whenever i spoke to her. She was quite fond of me always enquiring about girl friends, my work, my parents and ofcourse my gym!

During one of my recent phone conversation, the voice on the other side trembled. I realized something was wrong. She said "Khaaurtik..... I've not been well for a while now.... I've just had a surgery and some x-rays for the lungs.....I've turned 80 and its not getting better". After the conversation i went into a reverie trying to remember the days in Bristol.

Teresa was like a guardian. Am sure the rest of the guys who stayed at 42, Third avenue opine the same. Not many in their 80's would have the energy and enthusiasm as she did. It was fantastic to see how she cared for us - the boys next door. She would enquire about our work, the life back in India , the soiled curtains, gardening and a whole load of things. She'd update us with what had happened in the neighbourhood, the thefts, burglaries, prayers at the church and much more. Infact, a lot of times she'd remind us of the day when the garbage collection happened and the color of the bin which was supposed to be kept outside.

Most times I'd bump into her with my shorts and jerkin before heading to the gym. She'd ask me not to come back late from the gym as there were few instances of people getting roughed up. She would talk about football and her grandson Chris's stint with the Bristol Rovers. She was extremely proud of him and one day invited me over to her place to show a collection of his photos and articles that appeared in the local media.

Although very sweet I vividly remember an instance of Teresa getting charged up. That day when we had locked the house and left the keys inside. Teresa helped us get a ladder from her neighbour and we tried to sneak through a small opening unsuccessfully. We finally reached the landlord for a duplicate key and were asked collect them. We informed Teresa about this and left to get the duplicate keys. Little did we know Teresa would be waiting for us the whole evening. I must admit it was quite stupid of us to not inform her once we were back. We were in our rooms when she knocked the door hard and started shouting at us for not letting her know. Teresa had a point, for she usually went to bed early and had been waiting for us that day only to realize we'd been home an hour back! It was shameful and embarrassing as she left in a huff saying she wouldn't help us again. I'd been feeling guilty for what had happened and decided to repair the damage done. The next afternoon i wrote an apology letter, got a small teddy bear from the greeting shop and dropped it at her doorstep as she wasn't at home. As i sat watching TV in the evening someone knocked the door. It was Teresa. She was emotional as she hugged me saying it was all fine. The letter and the bear had done the trick :-)

One very poignant moment hard to forget was during the Mumbai train blasts. I came home from work a bit late. Teresa was outside watering the plants. She enquired me about the blasts and the situation in Mumbai. Just as we chatted she broke down. Incidentally she'd lost her son in the war and felt miserable about all the violence in the world. Its hard to react at such times. It was just silence all round.

She loved displaying greeting cards. I think it was during Easter or Christmas, when the cards were all over on the fireplace, window panes and on the table. The best part about Teresa was when she'd prepare home made cakes and distribute. To say they were great would be an understatement. She kept her house spick and span, very contrasting to the one next door!

She loved her cat -"Shandy". Shandy and Teresa had some kind of connection. After Vic's death i paid a visit to her place. Shandy was quiet, didn't move around much and coiled in between my legs quietly. She knew something was definitely amiss.

With just 2 months away before i departed Bristol, i had my parents come over after an Europe trip. The way in which she interacted with them was remarkable. Although my parents couldn't quite comprehend the fast paced English she spoke they were able to understand what she intended to say. Probably telepathic. By the end of their stay they were touched by Teresa's warmth and gesture. Am sure Adi's parents who visited him in 2008 would testify the same.

The week before i left (1st week of July) i presented her with a classic pendulum clock along with a note of thanks. Any number of words wouldn't suffice to express something to Teresa. She hugged me and gave a peck on my cheek. She said she'd miss me and that i was a great lad. That for me was one of the best compliments that I've ever received from someone. Certainly not bragging, but that was something special. I remember messaging Malavika about that.

It was sort of a trend for those who left that place (I'd seen atleast a couple of them) to leave a bouquet at her door. I did the same on July7th. As i left Bristol, i saw Teresa watching from her window and waving at me for one last time.

Teresa was expressive and always spoke her heart out. Her laughter was addictive with great energy in them. She'd introduce her friends, make great cakes. She'd sign off in style saying "alrightttt...take care my love.... byee khaaaaaurtik" and she did mumble the other night when i spoke to her.

She'll always remain special...Home away from home..

South End Road - A Paradise Lost

What makes Bangalore special apart from the weather? Hard thing to answer. Its not about the IT revolution, the malls or anything else. When it comes to food, most people identify themselves with Idly, vada, sambhar or the masala dosa's at the various fast foods like SLV, Adigas or the Brahmin's coffee bar or the famous Vidyarthi Bhavan.

While parks and trees are in abundance there's one place in particular that holds a special place in our hearts. From young couples koochi-kooing, to elders and joggers exercising in the parks, to motorists, "South-end road" (aka Rose Garden, Nanda Talkies road) is a great boon to Bangalorean's.

Surrounded by gardens throughout the stretch, with canopy of trees and beautiful tree avenues the place makes for a pleasant sight. A ride or stroll under the tree canopies, even the hottest summer in town can go unnoticed. The breeze running through the face is like balm. For those commuting to Jayanagar, J.P.Nagar and few parts of South Bangalore travelling through this stretch is mindblowing. And for those coming from outstations, the beginning of this stretch really makes you feel at home. An experience nonpareil.

This day for me and most of the fellow Bangalorean's it is sad and depressing as we realize that this fabulous place or a part of it would be gone forever. Thanks to the Bangalore Metro project, this place as we call it the "heaven on earth" will never be the same again.

While the government maintains it has taken measures to plant samplings elsewhere in the city, it is hard to comprehend why anyone would even try to mess up with this beautiful area which has been a part of most of us. More importantly something we identify with. If Delhi can have an underground metro why not Bangalore.

That Bangalore is known as the Garden city is testimony to places such as these. Unfortunately in years to come, the paradise will be lost and the identity too to an extent. And soon enjoying a sumptuous breakfast after an early morning fitness might just be a thing of the past.

But as the cliche goes "life goes on".