I read today that the Chennai Super Kings and the Mumbai Indians are the two IPL teams that have garnered the most support here in SA. Having been to some of the games and just observing people and their opinions toward the IPL, it seems as though this is not merely a coincidence. In my opinion, this may not even be attributed to the marketing campaigns of these two teams...as the Kolkata Knight Riders have a pretty impressive marketing strategy too. In my humble opinion, being a South African Indian whose great great grandparents were brought here as indentured labourers from Chennai (then known as Madras), the thing that makes these two teams the obvious choice to support is that most Indians in South Africa have their roots in either Mumbai or Chennai. You see there exists a generation of South Africans, mostly those born in the eighties, who are proud of their Indian heritage and are desperately seeking a way back to their roots.
The IPL has showcased a brand of "Desi Cool" that has blown South Africans away. Suddenly us SA Indians are not "coolies" anymore, just COOL. To some extent it angers me (ever so slightly) that it took bright lights, bollywood superstars and international cricketers to highlight the greatness of Indians, when for years we have worked hard, educated ourselves and made the transition from worthless slaves to integral cogs in the wheel of South African society. But it also brings great joy to see people of all races cheering on the Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Daredevils, Kolkata Knight Riders and the like.
Thank you to the IPL for what you have done in elevating our status!
Here's hoping Chennai wins it!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Does a woman have to lead a solitary life in pursuit of success?
Condoleezza Rice, former US Secretary of State, has at the age of 55 never been married. She has no children. She has been romantically linked to only one man, in 1970, and that alledgedly ended because "the relationship would not work on an intellectual level."
Condoleezza Rice was the first woman in the history of the United States to hold the position of National Security Advisor (under the Bush Administration 2001-2005). She was the first black woman, the second African-American (after predecessor Colin Powell) and the second woman (Madeleine Allbright being the first) to hold the office of US Secretary of State (under the Bush Administration 2005-2009).
She was named "Most Powerful Woman in the World" by Forbes magazine in 2004 and 2005, and ranked second on that list in 2006.
In addition, Condoleezza appeared on Time magazine's "World's 100 Most Influential People" list four times. There are only six other people in the world who have made the list that frequently.
Yet if she were to visit my hometown, all people would say is "Shame, she's still not married."
In a world full of women that claim to be so "liberated," a woman's worth is apparently still based on the husband she does or does not have.
Condoleezza Rice was the first woman in the history of the United States to hold the position of National Security Advisor (under the Bush Administration 2001-2005). She was the first black woman, the second African-American (after predecessor Colin Powell) and the second woman (Madeleine Allbright being the first) to hold the office of US Secretary of State (under the Bush Administration 2005-2009).
She was named "Most Powerful Woman in the World" by Forbes magazine in 2004 and 2005, and ranked second on that list in 2006.
In addition, Condoleezza appeared on Time magazine's "World's 100 Most Influential People" list four times. There are only six other people in the world who have made the list that frequently.
Yet if she were to visit my hometown, all people would say is "Shame, she's still not married."
In a world full of women that claim to be so "liberated," a woman's worth is apparently still based on the husband she does or does not have.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Know your status
"Realisation of Human Rights and fundamental freedoms for all is essential to reduce vulnerability to HIV/Aids. Respect for the rights of people living with HIV/Aids drives an effective response." - Declaration of Commitment adopted at the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/Aids, June 2001 -
It has been said: HIV DOES NOT KILL PEOPLE. PEOPLE KILL PEOPLE. Let me explain:
We have killed each other with our ignorance, our prejudice, and our silence. AIDS is not a distant threat…it is a present danger. It sees no colour, creed, race or religion. It sees not male or female, rich or poor.
We may take refuge in our stereotypes, but we cannot hide there long, because HIV asks only one thing of those it attacks.
Are you human?
YOU cannot cure those with AIDS…but YOU can prevent others from getting it.
Know your status.
It has been said: HIV DOES NOT KILL PEOPLE. PEOPLE KILL PEOPLE. Let me explain:
We have killed each other with our ignorance, our prejudice, and our silence. AIDS is not a distant threat…it is a present danger. It sees no colour, creed, race or religion. It sees not male or female, rich or poor.
We may take refuge in our stereotypes, but we cannot hide there long, because HIV asks only one thing of those it attacks.
Are you human?
YOU cannot cure those with AIDS…but YOU can prevent others from getting it.
Know your status.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
The Change You Wish to See
Wow. Change has indeed come to America. Whether it is because of a people's belief in a man, or his words, remains to be seen. The important thing is that change HAS come. And it is not the political change that is important. What's important is the change in people's perceptions of themselves, and what they are able to do, that is important. A change in people's perceptions of the world around them. A change that has come about solely because of one man's powerful use of words. He has succeeded in getting an entire generation to care about things that their parents saw no point to. He has lifted the stain of political apathy that has for many years tarnished the American flag.
Whether he was driven by passion, purpose, people, or a need to create a world in which he could fit in, the point is, he got there. Yes, he has a mammoth task ahead. Yes, he may not achieve all his objectives in his term. Yes, he may disappoint at times, as all humans do. But i believe in his belief. And I thank God that he sent this awe-inspiring man to free minds from their own prison. To free hearts from circumstantial cynicism. And to inspire a generation across nations.
Whether he was driven by passion, purpose, people, or a need to create a world in which he could fit in, the point is, he got there. Yes, he has a mammoth task ahead. Yes, he may not achieve all his objectives in his term. Yes, he may disappoint at times, as all humans do. But i believe in his belief. And I thank God that he sent this awe-inspiring man to free minds from their own prison. To free hearts from circumstantial cynicism. And to inspire a generation across nations.
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