Here comes the World Cup and there goes my TV!!

It’s the biggest sporting extravaganza in the world. It’s the world’s most watched and followed sport. It’s the sport that is considered religion in many parts of the world. People are so passionate that they name their children after their sporting hero’s, clubs etc. People have even shot their stars for missing a spot kick. That’s their passion for their game. I am sure you would have guessed by now, if no it’s the 2006 FIFA world cup that’s going to happen in Germany in just over a week.

I am a football fan and closely follow the English and Spanish league apart from of course the UEFA Cup and Champions League. But none more than the event that happens once in 4 years when the great footballers in their country’s clothes walk out on the football pitch to defend their goals like soldiers in the thick of battle. The world cup is not short of any drama. Goals disallowed because of some intervention by the Prince of the country, spectacular 35 yard strikes, sensational dribbles, the softest of touches turning in to the goal that crowned the country champions, superb athletic team work, sheer class and individual skills, different styles of play. All the great players, Pele, Platini, Socrates, Maradonna, Kruyf, Van Basten, George Best, Ronaldo, Romario, Beckham, Gerrard, Ronaldinho etc., both past and present alike You name it and you get to see it at the World Cup.

With just over a week left to the start of the World Cup that I have been looking forward to, my TV just conked off. There was a sudden spurt of high voltage in our apartment the day before and well there goes my TV. I had a stabilizer and still this happened. Wonder how much excess current would haven flown. I had taken this TV on rent about 8 months back and now I have decided to give it back this Saturday instead of repairing and using it.

Whether I buy a new one?? Hmm… will be known in the next few days!!

Book Review: The Kite Runner – By Khaled Hosseini

I had been to the Crossword book store on Sunday with a couple of friends mainly to help one of them pick up some books. During our stint at the book store I saw Arun with a book in his hand and as an after thought I asked him to pick up the same book. The book was none other than “The Kite Runner” – By Khaled Hosseini. I had heard some good reviews on this book from a couple of my friends. It was more of an after thought because it not very often that I buy books and read. Today after I finished reading the book I am glad that the after thought did come and I picked up the book.

The book deals with a story of two friends Amir and Hassan and starts off in the back-drop of Afghanistan in the early 1970’s. I was astonished and surprised to read about how Afghanistan was during those days and how the Afghans had a life which was all for themselves and had there own theories and rules and were able to walk with their head held high in the land of their own. The book brings out the relationship between two boys Amir and Hassan – A Suni and a Shia.

Khaled very clearly brings out how the changes happen in the relationship between the two boys and he has blended this change with the changes happening to Afghanistan itself - the changes in power at the helm of affairs, the attack of the Russians, the take over by the Mujahhidiens and later by Taliban. He also shows how the lives of the Afghans changed over the years and how a country which had such a glorious past just became a land of poverty and violence.

Amir and Hassan have a very nice childhood. Amir longs for his father’s love and his aim in life is to win the prestigious kite competition in order to get his father love. Hassan is ready to do anything for his friend Amir. All goes on well until one day something very disturbing happens and the entire relationship changes.

All the time Amir finds ways to redeem himself from the past, but it just keeps coming back to haunt him. He flees to America along with his father when the Russians attack and this coincides with his want to go somewhere and start afresh as the past keeps taunting him. The emotions that Amir and Hassan go through and the changes happening in Afghanistan are brought out beautifully.

Amir returns to Afghanistan to redeem himself and finally does so. He gets to see how Afghanistan had changed under the hands of the Talib’s and the atrocity they commit. He finally is able to find some peace of mind. His final joyous moment in the book again clashes with the dethroning of the Taliban and the arrival of the Northern Alliance.

The book brings out a lot of emotions very well. There are many incidents in the book which make you feel very sad and nearly bring a lump in your throat. The author also brings out a subtle message that things happen for the good and one always gets a chance to redeem oneself. It left to the individual how he wants. One can visualise the characters very well.

Overall and very well written book and a must read for everyone.

About the author: Khaled Hosseini was born in Afghanistan and his father received political asylum in America in 1980. He is a doctor in California. His second novel is due in October 2006. For more information about the author please click on this link. Khaled Hosseini