Gala day at M A Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

No other team has been so successful in Indian Premier League in the last four seasons. It’s none other than our Chennai Super Kings (CSK), two times Champions, one time finalist, and one time semi-finalist. Adding to the flavor, they are Champions League winners in the year 2010 as well. We had a great chance to witness the finals of the IPL 2011 in M A Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk, Chennai along with my brother-in-laws. The atmosphere was electrying with a capacity of more than 50,000 people in the stadium. The stadium was full of yellow T-Shirts and yellow flags reminding me of a Holland football match with Orange dominating the stadium.

Chennai has always known for its craziness for Cricket, its knowledgeable crowd; record prone historic Chepauk and good decent Cricketers emerging from the state. Honestly expected the final to be a cliff hanger because of Gayli strom but the match got over after the great opening stand between local boy Vijay and Mr. Cricket Hussey. Adding salt to the wounds for Royal Challengers Bangalore is the removal of Gayle for a duck by yet another local boy Ashwin who has been denied chances humpty number of times in the playing X1 in the world cup team has proved yet again that he can deliver in the pressure situations.

It was a great atmosphere to watch this final in the stadium with crowd having utmost fun when home team lifted the coveted trophy. The awesome fireworks after CSK finished the formalities and crushing the RCB was a treat to watch. Many people argue about the twenty formats and its nature of killing one day international and test Cricket, but honestly 20-20, IPL and Champions League has added new dimensions to Cricket especially in non-cricketing nations because of its short format. I always believe IPL is the showcase of rising India. There were times when western Cricketers refused to tour India because of the lack of facilities and hot and humid nature of the country. Now any tom, dick and Harry from western world want to play in IPL and savor the moments and also increase their financial stability.

From economical point of view and to be precise from macro economics point of view, IPL has contributed a lot to Indian economy. The vendors, the sponsors, the local players, the T-Shirts etc etc has added value to numerous people in this society. Well English guys, you introduced 20-20 game to savor your beer after work, you would have never thought India would become power house of world Cricket once you introduced this format. Every nation has its day, let’s savor what India is now in world Cricket and also in the economy.

Thanks a lot Sridhar to get the tickets. You made it happen and one of the most memorable moments to cherish.

Cheers,
Sathish Kumar S

Amsterdam, Tulip Gardens, The Netherlands

Traveling alone is a great experience, but traveling with your sweet heart is another wonderful experience which one shouldn’t miss at anytime. Amsterdam looked quite different when I visited as a bachelor and as a family man ;) Thanks to Gayathri and Ratheesh who invited us to spend Easter holidays in Amsterdam and Tulip Gardens, Netherlands. Had a wonderful six to seven hours drive from Hamburg to Amsterdam.

Amsterdam with its architectural buildings, beautiful canals nearby, bicycles parked across the lovely banks is a pleasant sight to watch. It was a hard search to find a hotel during easter holidays and ultimately landed up in a hotel which was great play to stay for the price paid. Travelled to Keukenkof on the next day to one of the beautiful spring park in the world, the tulip gardens. Certainly one of the most picturesque parks which I have witnessed in Europe with color tulip flowers spread across the park.

Thanks a lot Gayathri and Ratheesh for all your efforts to accommodate us. It was more fun with your son Raghav and Aunt. It was a perfect familienausflug on a sunny long weekend.

Cheers,
Sathish Kumar S

First Anniversary @Heide Park, Solltau

Time flies away like anything. It has already been one year since I got married. As experienced people said, first few years of marriage are always honeymoon period and it turned out be cherishing period as well for me and Anita. Both of us took a day off from our regular work schedule and went to a famous theme park in Northern Germany- Heide Park in Solltau with our good friends Aishwarya and Prabu. It was a perfect day to celebrate our first anniversary on a sunny day with lovely wonderful and exotic rides. It was a good period of time where we had a great chance to know and understand each other to the maximum. Thanks for all the wonderful moments Ani.

I love you Ani!

Sathish Kumar S