One week after Mains

Hello,

I came home, once the exams were over. Now, I am planning to get coaching for public administration again. Looking for some good institutes in that subject.

I gave the Mains exam and understood how it really feels to give an exam conducted by unpredictable service commission (other name of UPSC given to it by us aspirants). No one expected the GS papers to have 25 questions each with 10 marks. First, there were so many questions to answer and 3 hours is hardly enough to answer all of them. Second, even if one had the practice of writing answers so fast, he will not have any time to recollect, think & frame the answers. But one consolation is, it's same for everybody. Let's see how many marks we get. I do not have much hopes for this year Mains. I will start my Mains preparation in the next week. At any cost, I must clear CSE next year and get into some service.

Football - last week and the week before that, I didn't follow football because of exams. Now, I've come home, but we don't have any football channels subscribed and we don't have internet. But I just saw the news that our match against Osasuna ended in draw. We were 2 goals down within the first half, then Ramos was shown red card. Ancelotti said that out team showed spirit to draw the match from there. Meanwhile, Barca won the home match against Villarreal, extending their lead over Real to 5 points. Arsenal was defeated badly at Ethihad Stadium. World cup draw was made. Champions League draw was also made. We play Schalke, a relatively easy team, but the tough matches this time are Arsenal vs. Bayern & City vs. Barca. Then Ballon d'Or saga - Ronaldo or Messi or Ribery. So much happening in the world of football, well, European Football to be more precise and after following it so close for nearly one and a half year, I miss it. I guess, I will not be able to watch football matches as much as I used to watch till now.

Then, I am not reading any book for now. But, I am close to finishing the book India after Gandhi. And regarding civils, I think I know where my preparation went wrong. I'll speak with other students, know their approach to the exam and learn from them. Till then, Adios...

6 days to go

Okay, I am so busy that I haven't even thought of my blog till yesterday. Once I got reminded, I thought I'll just post whatever important happened since the last time.

• I was preparing seriously these past few days although I still don't have much hope for Mains.
• I was diagnosed with some viral fever and was severely sick for around 3-4 days. Thankfully, it's all over now well before the exams and I am back to being healthy.
• My institute opened a new building adjacent to the old one. Also, the fees this time is increased by 50% on General Studies and other optional subjects.
• I haven't watched a lot of football last weekend, but I've been following the general news, score updates and everything. I am sad that Ronaldo is injured. Hope he gets back quickly. 

Now, I must tell you, by looking at the sheer numbers of the new batch students in our institute, I am scared. My God, there are so many of them. Then, when you sit in a class, you know about your fellow students. So, you sort of know who listen to classes, who study seriously and who is a possible ranker. But I don't anything know anything about this new batch students. And all of them, their face, their appearance look like they are serious contenders. They were passing me through the hallway and every one is looking so intellectual, like thinking about some thing. You know, when you appear serious and deeply thoughtful, people tend to assume you are intelligent. May be that is what happened here, but still.

By the way, I've given test series in our academy. Because these are the last days, our institute could only correct GS Papers 1,2 and 3. They told us they couldn't get Ethics paper and Optional papers corrected. I got my corrected answer sheets, my faculty didn't give us marks but gave remarks to every answer on the side. I'll just write what was mentioned about mine.

• When asked about my handwriting, I was told it's okay, intelligible only. So, no problems there.
• My answers are too descriptive, very vague and generalized. I should try to be more specific and relevant to the question.
• Any answer contains basically 3,4 core points. It is must you mention them, highlight it in some form, so that examiner can notice them easily and not labour through the whole answer.
• And few more remarks that are particular to the question.

Then, what else. Yeah, I am so bored by studying so much these last few days, that I've started using Facebook again. That's right, the last time I opened my facebook account was way back in May 2011. I thought I need to get in touch with people, socialize a little and hence started using it again. I know it is just before the exams and may serve as distraction, but I am not spending that much time on facebook. Hardly 30 minutes a day.

Yup, that's pretty much it now. Later then...

24 days to go...

Okay, I got the admit card for CS Mains 2013 and the exam starts on 2nd Dec, 2013. That means just 3 more weeks to go.

To tell you the truth, I've been reading seriously. Yes, last week I said I wasn't serious enough, but since then, I am studying for most part of the day. Rest of the time sleeping, eating, watching little football and pretty much that's it. Anyway let's see how my first attempt goes.

Then, football. I didn't see the match against Rayo as I was in my home town that weekend for diwali. I managed to read more than half of the book The Insider's View during the visit home. Then I watched the match against Juventus. I also watched Dortmund vs. Arsenal match. Now this week, we have two important matches. Manchester United vs. Arsenal & Juventus vs. Napoli. Apart from these two I'll also watch Real Madrid and Real Sociedad match. I've watched almost all Real Madrid matches since last season. That would amount to 60 games. On adding Seria A and EPL matches, that I watch sometimes, I must have seen around 100 football matches. The thing is I am still not familiar with tactics, reading the game and analysing it. How do those commentators and reviewers write match reports, I don't know.

Then, as I mentioned, I've been reading both of these books The Insider's View and India after Gandhi parallelly. Nothing else to say. Later...

Football Week

So, this week is full of football action.

On Saturday, I watched Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal. Then I watched Ruhr Derby. This is the match between Schalke 04 and Dortmund. Then the biggest match of all, probably the biggest match of this La Liga season. The first El Classico. Yes, the biggest of all the club football rivalries. Then on Sunday, I watched Chelsea vs. City.

Nothing much to talk about Arsenal's match. They are still the league leaders for now but I doubt that they can win the title. For one thing, all other clubs have played big matches and dropped points, while Arsenal had just one North London derby and hence didn't loose many points. Two, Arsenal's bench is weak. Of course, Gnabry and co have been performing well in the main players' absence, but I still doubt they can win, this consistently at the business end of the season. May be if they are still at the top of table during winter's break, Wenger may buy a striker. We will see.Then Dortmund's match. They lost Gotze, but found good replacement in Henry Mkhitaryan. They also bought Aubameyang who plays as a wide midfielder. Even though, Dortmund is on the list of teams that I've decided to watch this season, this is only the first full match that I've seen them play. I don't know much about their possession style play, but their counter attacking is deadly. Their third goal is a testament to that. It is not wrong to I say that Dortmund is the 2nd best counter attacking team in last three seasons after Real. Now that we are having more possession and playing most of the game in opponent's half, Dortmund may become best counter attacking team.

Last two weeks

Two weeks back, I mentioned my GS Paper III preparation plan. But I am very sorry to say that I have not followed the very plan that I made. Well, I couldn't complete the syllabus in two days. Then I had to revise some older topics. Then, I had to get away on some personal business. And things got delayed. Anyway, what I want to say, I will be more practical and less ambitious in planning my study schedule from next time.

Then international break is over and club football is back. But today we don't get to see Real Madird's match because the entire ESPN Star network's slots are blocked telecasting some other live matches. India vs Australia 3rd ODI in two channels, one telecast in English and the other one in Hindi, then ManU, Arsenal and Chelsea matches on three more channels. If everything works out, I will try to watch the match online. It is a very important week for Madrid because any drop in points will make it very difficult to win the league. Unlike BPL, where top teams can drop points now and then, here in La Liga, Real and Barca can not afford to drop points cheaply. Over the whole season, these both teams only loose two or three matches and the last two seasons saw Real and Barca get 100 points out of possible 114, dropping just 14 points. And in this season, while Barcelona haven't dropped a single point, we are already 5 points behind them. So, no place for complacency.

Indian Agriculture - Day 4

Hello there...

So, It took me 3 days to finish the topic Land Reforms in India. I planned to finish this topic in 2 days, but I had to spend one more day on it. I have read 2 chapters from IGNOU materials, then little researching in the net and quickly went through a few papers submitted on this topic by experts. I hope this would suffice. Now, next topic is Food processing. I assume this would take another 2 days.

So, now football. Yesterday, I watched only one match. Levante vs Real Madrid. What a come back. You know after the home team scored the second goal, I was in shock. Like is this really happening again? But when Morata equalised, I remembered the matches against City and Dortmund in last year UCL group stages, hoping for a winner. And we found winner in who else, none other than Ronaldo. After scoring the winner with just one minute left, he took off his shirt and got an yellow card for excessive celebration. I have read that Ronaldo only does massive celebrations for important goals and this one was pretty mportant. Had we not won this match, it would open 7 points gap between Barca and us in the title race, practically conceding the Liga title.

Indian Agriculture - Day 1

So, with regards to my preparation, I decided to start with Indian Agriculture of GS 3rd paper. These are the topics and today I'll start with the last topic, Land Reforms in India. I hope to finish this by today.

1) Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems; storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers

2) Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.

3) Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.

4) Land reforms in India.

Right Ho, Jeeves

Okay, So I managed to finish the novel 'Right Ho, Jeeves' yesterday. This is my first novel of PG Wodehouse and it was okay. The summary of the novel is this, Bertie tries to reunite his cousin Angela and her betrothed after they call off their engagement over some silly fight. He also promises Mr. Fink-Nottle, his old friend who is a shy fellow, that he would help him propose to his love interest Miss Bassett. The entire happenings take place in Brinkley Manor, home of Angela's mother Aunt Dahlia. But Bertie fails in his endeavours. Finally when things go out of Bertie's hand, his butler Jeeves resolves all the issues in a matter of 20 minutes. All in all, a good novel. But I liked 'Yes Minister', even though both of them are somewhat different types of novels.

Derby Loss

So, Real Madrid lost to Atletico Madrid at home, courtesy of Diego Costa's 11th minute goal. I wasn't surprised at this loss, but disappointed. There wasn't any surprise because what has happened over the last few games with Real Madrid, happened even in this game. So, there was nothing to be surprised about. And Atletico played just like the way anyone thought they would play.

The first thing that wasn't a surprise is what everybody knew - how Atletico would approach the game, their style of play, their man attacking threat. Carlo Ancelotti knows, Zidane knows, the players know, I know and the whole world knows. I will tell you their style of play. They played physically - attacked every ball in their own half, tackled hard, quickly closed down the player without giving him any space or time and ran tirelessly. Even I know this because I happened to watch both legs of Super Copa Espana between Atletico and Barcelona. First leg at Atletico, both the teams scored a goal, meaning Barcelona has one away goal. At Camp nou, Atletico played very rough, Barcelona with all it's tiki-taka style couldn't penetrate Atleti's defence. There were  many fouls by Atleti's players, but nevertheless, not a single goal for Barcelona's side. So, there was clear knowledge as to how Atletico would approach the game. And then, coming into this match, Diego Costa was in super form, joint top scorer in La Liga alongside Messi. You would assume that he would be tightly marked and not given any time on the ball. But no, that's not the case. When Di Maria looses the ball in midfield and Koke passed the ball to Diego Costa, there was no one marking him, very poor positioning by Pepe and Arbeloa. He would be Atletico's release man, and boy, what a game did he have. I've read that he was some how involved in entire Real's back four getting yellow cards and now that I think of it, I realise it's true.

Elche 1 - 2 Real Madrid

So, Match day 6 was over and Real was very fortunate to win that game against Elche. Sergio Ramos could've been sent off for his second bookable offence, but he stayed on till the end. Then late in injury time, Elche equalised. As far as I remember, it took them 3 passes for scoring, first was a long ball from Elche goal keeper to some one in the left wing, second pass was by that player on the left wing who played the ball to the one who assisted the goal scorer and the third pass was the assist itself. I don't know where Carvajal, Arbeloa, Pepe and our central defensive midfielders were and no matter how quickly Elche came forward, our defenders should have been able to deal with them. But it wasn't so and they equalised. From 80th minute I was sitting tight and was afraid that Elche might equalise and we might end up loosing 2 points. And that commentator kept on saying that Boakye scored a goal in injury time in last game and might fancy his chances in this game. And his words came true, that Boakye guy did score the goal in injury time. I wonder what homework did Real Madrid do regarding this guy, when they knew that he was known for scoring last minute goals. After Elche's equaliser, the game's almost over, but just then Real won a corner and I guess Illarra took it and it seemed to me that Pepe was fouled in the box. But he wasn't, the replays showed that it wasn't a foul and not a penalty. Anyway, the penalty was converted by Ronaldo.

Monthly Update

I know I wrote a post this month, but it feels like long back. I don't know why. May be because a lot of things happened so fast this month. So, lets see what's interested me this month.

First, I am  very sad that Real didn't play well against Villarreal. It was promoted to top division this season and played very well, but I expected Real to win this match. Now, we are 2 points behind Barcelona and Athletico, although I am sure that we would overtake Athletico at some point, no matter how well they have been playing. Second, the moment of the UCL match day 1 is Ronaldo's third goal, a spectacular one. To be honest, I never thought Ronaldo could dance past three defenders all alone and put one in the goal post, but I was proved wrong and I am happy to be. Third, I am really glad to see Ozil shine at Arsenal. Whether they can win the league or not, is too early to tell, but I hope they win at least one silverware this year, be it Capital Cup or FA Cup.

Ozil to Arsenal, Kaka To Milan

Hello there...

Kaka left for Milan. I feel sad, even though I have never seen him play. When he was playing at his peaks, I didn't even start watching football. But, it feels sad, that a Ballon d'Or player is humbled because of injuries and loss of form. To be match fit and be in form for next year FIFA WC at home, he needs to play regularly and hence he moved to Milan. It's understandable and I wish him all the best.

So, the sensational news is Mesut Ozil moving to Arsenal. I am very disappointed at this unfortunate turn of events. Because after CR7, it is Ozil, whom I like most. It is surprising because, just weeks before he said, he was happy at Madrid and would like to stay at Madrid for a long time to come. Many fans are disappointed at Ozil leaving the club. Lets see why he had to leave...

Monthly update

So, let's talk about football. Actually I didn't think of writing any new post this week, but changed my mind after seeing the Super cup match between Bayern and Chelsea. Boy, What A Match. The time is 03.15AM, 31/08/2013.

First, let's see the background. The last time these two teams met, Bayern lost on their home ground to Chelsea. And this is not in just any other match. It's the Champions League FINAL. Bayern completely dominated the match, with 20+ shots on target, 20+ corner kicks, 70% possession but they managed to get only one past Cech. But Drogba with just 2 minutes left in the match equalized for Chelsea. Then in extra time, Bayern missed a penalty, blame Robben for his poor effort. And then the humiliating defeat at their own backyard to under par, bus-parking Chelsea was completed when Schweini missed from the spot-kick in the shoot-out. So, Bayern desperately want to avenge their defeat and claim the only major trophy that's missing from their trophy cabinet.

Real bt Chelsea

Yes, Real Madrid CF has beaten ex-Real manager Jose's Chelsea by three goals to one in the ICC Final. There was a lot of tension before the match. Mourinho said that Real was at this competetion because of his professionalism. Don't know if there was any pun intended or he was really mocking Real. Then he attacked Ronaldo, by claiming that he coached the original Ronaldo (R9), implication being CR7 isn't as good as R9. And lot of issues between Real's Spanish players and Mourinho. There was this one more thing, Carlo Ancelotti, the current Real manager was ex-Chelsea manager during their 2009 campaign. And with all this past history, it is not a coincidence that of all the players, the ones attacked by Mourinho put in a great performance. Ronaldo with 2 spectacular goals, Casillas with 2 fine saves, Pepe literally owning Lukaku and Ramos with a decent display.

CSP 2013 Results Out

Hello there,

So, finally UPSC released the prelims result. And Yes, I have cleared this first stage. Now, preparation for Mains in December. But first let me tell you that I was very tensed these last 2 months. After the results are out, I checked the key for the first time. I am getting around 244 marks, 86 in GS I and 158 in CSAT. Most institutions tell that the cut off may have been around 220. Any way I am very very happy clearing this first hurdle. It is some thing like an upper. I was very down these last two months, not knowing what to do, tensely waiting for results and most importantly not preparing much. So, this is kind of a relief and a morale booster and now I am full of energy and enthu to continue my preparation.

"At Bernabeu, against Real Madrid, you can never say it's over, until the final whistle". These are the words of Pep Guardiola, the famous manager of FC Barcelona under whom the club won 14 titles in 4yrs. What he was trying to tell is that at their home ground, Real can turn the tables even with just 1 minute left. Same goes for me :) Just like my favourite team, I will fight (read prepare) till the end. Even though I've wasted 2 precious months, I've got 4 more months. I am not giving up yet, and with this boost from the prelims result, I will give my best effort for Mains.

The 4 questions, I had mentioned in my earlier posts, I got all of them right. Pretty Good, isn't it? Actually, the last three days of the prelims exam I wasn't really sure I would clear the prelims and sort of gave up preparing. But then, I recalled to myself that we shouldn't give up till the final whistle and decided to prepare. Because, I felt bored of studying anything new, I thought I'll revise my notes. So, these 4 questions are from some of the stuff I happened to read those last 3 days and I am really sure that I wouldn't have gotten all of them right, had I not revised them in the last minute. So, it's proved, not that last minute preparation matters, but don't give up till the final whistle. It's all about character.

Anyway, I've to tell you that I stopped reading Argumentative Indian some days back. I wanted to have some break from this prelims tension and this book with it's discursive nature is certainly not helping. That's when I started reading 'Yes, Minister'. Oh my God, I can't tell you how good this book is. I am not that good at English, but even I find it funny. I meant to say that I understand the sarcasm, humour, witty remarks everything. Anyway, the book is about a minister and his secretary, a civil servant and how they cope with govt administration. I have downloaded the sitcom also, but I am just reading the novel from this ebook thing. I prefer to read this book than to watch the serial. All civil service aspirants out there, must surely read this book. Its funny and informative.

I know I've said, I would write some sort of suggestions list and all, but I feel like it's already out there. Many institutes, experts, seniors have said it all. I feel like I don't have anything new to say. May be, if I find something important, I'll mention. But one thing that I already know, and personally experienced is 'It's not over until the final whistle'. Really, I believe those 4 questions I've revised at the last minute helped me. Later...

Monthly Update

Hello there....

Lets see what's happened this month.

I am still not fully into preparation mode and just passing time by watching TV, playing on laptop, visiting friends... May be once prelims results are out, then I will start taking things more seriously. By the way, prelims results are expected on 27th July. Then I am still reading this book 'The Argumentative Indian'. I must tell you that this is one difficult book to finish. It is not some story or some fiction that one can keep reading. It is a book about writings on Indian Culture, History and Identity. So, I hope you get the idea of how difficult it is finish such a book which warrants 100% attention every word and every page.

Then, Real Madrid's new summer signings. We signed Isco, Illarramendi, Carvajal. Then promised more first team opportunities to Morata, Nacho, Jese Rodrigez. This is clearly in contrast with our club's past transfer policies. Signing players on their reputation and marketing potential or Galactico Policy gave way to signing young promising players. It is said that Zidane, the new assistant coach was behind this new transfer policy. Anyway, it looks very promising. And what's the matter with ESPN, Star Sports and all other sports channels. Don't they telecast anything other than cricket. Its always Jai Ho or T20 Dhamaka or some other cricket junk. Please, for God's sake, spare us from this cricket mania. We have lot of other sports too, football for example. If not 2hrs a day, just telecast even 1hr a day some sport other than cricket. Anyway I can't wait any more for this summer break to get over and 2013-14 football season to kick off...

Then, I have said that I will write some tips for civil service aspirants out there, but I am still working on it. Trying to give those suggestions a shape. In case I don't qualify prelims, the list will be put on hold till the time I clear i.e. may be next year July...... Later

Monthly update

So, it is nearly a month since I have written any post.

And it is one year one month since I have started civils preparation after quitting my job. Now, what I have done in this last 13 months. Do I look back this entire year with satisfaction knowing that I have improved myself or do I need to do better? What about my preparation, my approach?

First, I can say, I have improved. Our sir told us that this preparation phase would change you. He was right, I couldn't exactly put down how I have changed, but I have changed. I am not talking about the maturity that one attains during the course of an year. Its about the changes in one's perceptions and understandings of his own country. He said one starts to appreciates things better. It really happened with me. Earlier, just like any youth, I was impatient. But now, even though I am not entirely okay with the country's progress or our state of affairs, conditions of poor, I wasn't going crazy about it. Its just knowing how the system works and accepting it, if it couldn't be made any better. Actually, its very difficult to pen down how my thinking or perceptions changed, but I can feel that. Having empathy for people's troubles now, whereas earlier I couldn't care less. Relating to every new development that I read in the newspaper, which in turn gives some feeling of knowing something about everything. You can only feel that feeling, when you know about something, people commenting passionately on the issue, you can involve in, tell your opinions.....Perhaps, it's very difficult to distinguish these subtle but significant differences in one's own personality and it is much more difficult to write them down without sounding like a phony.

Eventful week

In that order...

Bayern beat BVB in the UCL final at Wembley.
I didn't see the match live that night, but watched the highlights the very next day just before going to the exam. Later I read the match report, and it said that, both teams played nice attacking brand of football and unlike many earlier finals, where either of the two teams parked the bus or played defensively, this final was entertaining to watch. Personally, I like both the teams and both BVB and Bayern are more or less equal in their capabilities and footballing style. Both the teams are well organised, they attack and defend collectively. Neither team is a superstar based team. But Bayern edged in the end courtesy of Robben's late late goal. Mario Gotze absence surely hurt Dortmund in the final, but still, they can be very very proud of their achievement.

Let me tell something about BVB. They won many hearts on their road to the final. They played good attacking football, they fielded mostly home grown players and they had fantastic crowd support. On the other hand, Chelsea had the money, they had the best players available, still played defensive type of football in the last year UCL. Of course, they managed to win, but they didn't win many hearts. BVB had a great run with their project and of all the other projects, I like their project the most. Other projects means, I refer to, PSG, Man City, Chelsea, Monaco. I am not talking about Real's Galactico policy and Barca's tiki taka as projects here. Because these two clubs are already legendary clubs. Very few will dispute these both teams' dominance of Europe, even though Barca dominated European Cup only recently. But the clubs I mentioned earlier were new clubs trying to make their name, trying to enter the competition. Among such clubs, I liked BVB the most. How can anyone not like BVB. Or, I will say like this, anyone who loves football, must love BVB. But the sad thing is, BVB is going to loose few of its important players and I can only feel sorry for them. I don't know how long they can go on without their best players. I feel like, all Chelsea, PSG, Man City supporters are laughing at BVB, reminding them the harsh truth, that the only way to compete at the top is with the money.

1 Day To Go

I wish everyone out there all the very best for CSP 2013 starting in less than 24hrs. I am sure every one would have taken necessary precautions, good sleep, pen, admit card, not carrying gadgets in the hall, visiting exam centre prior to the exam....

Stay calm, relaxed. Believe in the hard work you have put in till now. I am sure, you will do well.

By the way, I decided I will not watch UCL Final between BVB and Bayern tonight. It was an easy choice to make between tomorrow's exam and tonight's match. Why risk sleep on the day just before the exam. Had Real qualified, I might have watched the final, but not now. On another note, Arsenal, for the 16th consecutive time, secured a place in CL. They lost RVP in the start of the season, but with the squad he has, he still managed to make it to CL. Great Job Wenger. Tomorrow we (Real Madrid) have Liga match, IPL Final and then Copa Itallia Final between Roma and Lazio. Must see all of them. More on that later........

Once again, 'Good Luck'

IPL not untenable

Now, lets talk about IPL. So, news of the week is 3 RR players including Sreesanth were involved in spot fixing. Straight away we heard many comments, reactions, suggestions from ex-players, players, media, police, public. Few even argued that entire IPL is fixed, or IPL is bad for cricket. I know in democracy everybody can express how they feel, but seriously, it sounds silly to me. Let us take the issue of corruption in cricket, be it illegal betting or match fixing or spot fixing by cricketers or bookies. Those who say, since IPL involves huge sum of money and hence players are tempted for such activities must know that it isn't only in IPL where cricketers are guilty of corruption. There are many cricketers from different countries involved in corruption with few of them even banned for life. Our attention must be how to tackle the issue but not blame the whole IPL itself.

Monthly Update

Hello.....

So, not much happening. My preparation is going at a very slow pace even though exam is only 2 weeks ahead. Trying very hard to complete Polity, Modern India and Geography in time. But IPL isn't letting me to concentrate on my studies. Anyway, even if I manage to clear prelims, there isn't much hope for Mains. So, one can say, I am little complacent in preparing for prelims. Let's see what lies ahead.

On football front, Real Madrid is in a bit of crisis. In the 2nd leg, UCL semis against BVB, Real managed to score only 2 goals when they needed 3. Ozil and Higuain missed easy chances early in the game. Ronaldo too hit one straight at the keeper. How different it would have been had one of them finished their chances. Once knocked out of UCL, the differences in the team started to emerge. It has become a war between coaching staff and players. I don't mind if Mourinho or any other player leaves, but I want Ronaldo to stay. Now that SAF has retired, Real is the best place for him. Winning league back from barcelona, keeping Ronaldo in madrid, Manager selection for next season are few other problems. But then again, it is Real Madrid. Many teams rise and fall, but not Real. It is one of the very few clubs that stayed in the top since 1950s. Going ahead in this season, there is spanish cup final against city rivals. To not let this season be a failure, Real must beat Athletico. Then the next season 2013-14 is very important for Real. They had to win back la liga from barcelona. Win La Decima.

On entirely different note, I recently read an interview by Neeraj Kumar, Delhi Police Chief given to Indian Express. Here's the link. It gives a different perspective to what one infers from media about police, their attitude, their apathy and such stuff. Must read. Before you go on criticising police, just read his version. Only then, i.e. after hearing both sides of the argument, you comment on the issue. Later...

Shocking Results - UCL

Hellooooo.........

So, the first leg of UCL Semifinals were completed and both Barca and Real have very little chance to make it to final. Barca lost to Bayern 4-0, but it is understandable, given Barca's defence weaknesses + injured Messi and Bayern's attacking strength. But the second result, Dortmund beating Real 4-1 is unacceptable. Real has arguably one of the best defences in the world football and it is Jose Mourinho's side. All of his sides, be it Porto, Chelsea or Inter have compact and best defenders. How Dortmund managed to score 4 goals is simply shocking. Pepe was at fault for first goal, he couldn't contain Lewandowski. If Di Maria played at right wing instead of Ozil he would have tracked back, helped Ramos and prevented Gotze from simply crossing the ball with such ease into 6yd box for Polish striker to finish . For second goal, Pepe and Coentrao played Lewandowski onside and third goal was absolute masterclass finishing from the same man Lewandowski. Alonso was clearly frustrated with the third goal and he took matters into his own hands and pushed Rues in the penalty area leading to 4th goal, which was powerfully finished by Lewandowski again.

Monday Morning

Hello there.......
Hopefully, by this week, I will be able to complete Indian Polity. Then I can start preparing Modern India. One thing must be said about Indian Polity though. It is very important subject wrt to General Studies. It has good weightage (15%) in the prelims exam but the important thing is that all the polity topics are so relevant to current affairs, once you are thorough with them, you can easily grasp many current affairs news with relative ease.  Hence one shouldn't simply mug so as to get through prelims but understand the subject very well. So, I want to be strong in Indian polity. Plus, it would be easy to remember the subject for further preparations in-case one doesn't clear in his first attempt.  And once I complete Polity, I will try to complete Modern India within the next week..........

Coming to football.....

Think And Act

Before when I started preparing for civils, I didn't know much about what's happening around, be it domestically or globally. I used to read just the headlines and sport sections of the newspaper. Whenever I read an article online, I formed the same opinion put forward by the writer regarding that topic. I never got the feeling that the writer may be biased and hence I never read from multiple sources to get comprehensive understanding. And hence all of my understanding of our country and politics, politicians, corruption was shaped up by one or two newspapers. Now, after 10 months of preparing for civils, I got better understanding of 'what is what' and 'why is that so' and 'how media shapes our thinking'. Let me explain......

Lets look at some newspapers and their political affiliations

45 days to Go

Alright....

So, the 4 semifinalists of this season UCL are two Spanish giants and top two German teams...
How I would love to see the following fixtures to be drawn...
Real vs Bayern, BVB vs Barca. And then El Classico final, with Real thrashing Barca in Wembley... That way we would have our revenge against bayern for last year UCL semi final defeat and any victory over catalans is sweet.........And there is no reason why that shouldn't happen. Cristiano is in the form of his life, players are all motivated as CL is only thing left to play for, no injury concerns unlike barca. Lets see how it goes......

So, coming to my preparation for CSE 2013,

My First Post

Helloooooooo, this is my first post.... so I will just say Hi to everyone out there....

I will keep it simple in my first post as our dear charlie harper says, if it's your first time better do the simple stuff well, than the fancy stuff badly....

okay, now the big question...... what to write in the first post.... I haven't thought of writing anything yet. I just created my blog. I thought I will say Hi and started the first post... But there is no content with me.....I don't have any obligation of writing something here.... But this is MY blog and I am not under any social conventions, I am at free to write something or not write at all.... But then why would anyone read if I dont write something worthy that others spend time reading......