Rio 2016 - The Greatest Latin American Adventure

 I think the greatest regret I will always have in my life is that I never participated in the Olympics as an athlete. I thought I was good at sports, but in reality I was never world class. 

I was at the best, the top in my "class room". 😆 

So when Trupti got the opportunity to be the Language Translator of the Indian Olympics contingent, I happily tagged along. Some call it: Opportunist, but I called it "Supportive Husband!". 

This post is showcasing that everyone must attend the olympics if they can; as a volunteer, a journalist, a fan, an officials or if they can as an athlete.

There is no other sporting event that would ever come close to the olympics.

Here I am at the airport..

But on my flight to Rio, I met so many athletes. I met Soufiane El Bakkali, who I presume is the greatest modern day steeplechase runner. He finished 4th at Rio.

And also met Abdalaati Iguider, who was the 2012 Bronze medal winner.

Trupti while was in the middle of it all. Here she is with Indian rower, Dattu Bhokanal.

and with Dipa Karmakar. She did brilliantly and finished 4th.

She was meeting Sreejesh. He is the greatest Indian Hockey Goalie.

and Rani Rampal.

Indian Hockey Team lost at the Quarterfinals and she was interviewing Akashdeep. He wasn't happy with the match and was pretty sad during the interview after the game.

We also got invited to the Indian Consulate and met the Indian Ambassador to Brasil.

Met Savita Punia. The Indian Goalie. 

By this time everyone knew Trupti because of her closeness to the Indian athletes and she was friends with the Indian contingent.

With Manpreet Singh

and he was very polite and charming.

While Trupti was working I also got a chance to meet Aditi Ashok, who was golfing pretty well at the 2016 Olympics. However, her final day's rounds didn't go very well.

Trupti also met Leandro Negre. He was the president of FIH during the olympics.

I also got a chance to meet Rami Anis and Yusra Mardini. They were part of the Refugee Team that participated at the 2016 olympics.

And when went for a trek to : Christ the Redeemer, we also bumped into previous British Athletes. 

and also met Justin Gatlin. He has just won the silver medal in 100 meters, the previous day.

We also met 3 friends cycling from Germany to Rio, to see the Olympics. They were called Trio for Rio. They are still cycling across the globe and are called Pasta Gorillas.

If one gets a chance, they must become part of the Olympics, in which ever way! It's the greatest experience ever.

Hello South America

Trupti flies to Rio before me and I see her in Mid-August

We watch the summer Olympic games and then off to roam about the American continent. First stop - Manaus in the middle of the Amazons.

Then to Santiago. Hope to meet my old hockey pal there.

Santiago to Calama would be a short flight but a complete change in the geography. We will be in the middle of Andes!

This could be the most fascinating journey when we drive from San Pedro De Atacama to Salar Di Uyuni. Can't wait!

Uyuni to la Paz. Not sure what we want to do there? May be go to the Lakes and relax before I come back to London.

I am coming back but Trupti carries on her trip!

Santa Cruz it is for her. Do remember to take your malaria pills.

She plans to go to Uruguay for some reason. Not quite sure why. Heard a lot, seen nothing! that's a good reason!

She comes back in end of September.

We have been planning this since January and I am hopeful things will go as per the plans! If not, then we would love to get lost in this journey...

Why are people like Arnab Goswami dangerous for India?

In a democracy, everyone should have a voice and an opinion. Everyone should have the opportunity to get their message across, right or wrong it doesn’t matter; the message should go across in the peacefully & accurately. Historically, we have seen that in dictatorial and totalitarian governments the voice of the people is supressed. Races and religions are wiped away! But if someone wants to give their opinions on the TV what could go wrong? The opinion is presented within the four walls of a studio and everyone should feel safe when presenting their opinion. Well, everything that could go wrong will go wrong, if we go to a discussion without an open mind and the moderator of the discussion / debate has pre-set agenda!

Arnab Goswami is a well-known news anchor on Times Now, who doesn’t let any debate happen. He has one job and only one job, to moderate a healthy debate between two people with different ideologies. How difficult can that be? It can be difficult if you don’t consider the debate between two ideologies but consider it as a forum to improve the ratings of a television show.

Arnab Goswami is a prime example of how one can become a poor journalist. Get a prime time slot, with a masala filled topic & 8 panellists who no one has heard off but are as ill-mannered as Arnab Goswami himself. 8 freaking panellists? Why? One sits in the chair with 8 cameras zooming on these panellists; but the debate moderator speaks for 50% of the time. Arnab, you are indeed shameless! If you are lucky you might get the opportunity after a “India wants to know. Tell me. Tell me. Nation wants to know….” blabbering. Arnab, if you have given someone an opportunity to speak, please let him speak, just shut the eff up!

Arnab, what is the point of such a debate? If it is to get more advertisements on TV, then go sell soap and detergent, at least you will be honest to your profession. I haven’t seen Arnab out in the field meeting the widows of Kashmiris violence, understanding the issues of flood affected victims of Chennai, highlighting the predicament of families of farmers who have committed suicide in Maharashtra & Andhra Pradesh.

Arnab Goswami, why do you shout so much? Is it because you have poor vocabulary and need to raise your voice to put your message across? Or is it because you are scared to get into a debate? My opinion is that one doesn’t need to shout to put a message across; a prime example of such a man is Mahatma Gandhi! In a land which has built its recent history on non-violence and truth, one could become a prime example of that at prime time. Shouting at someone and asking him not to speak, will kill the human spirit. Killing the human spirit is worse than killing that human! If everyone can’t put their voice / viewpoints / agenda across, this land of yogis, beauties & billion gods will become a dull, boring, colourless country. This land has produced big religions and sects, Siddharth became enlightened and gave the world Buddhism because he was not shouted at but was allowed to think, speak out and get enlightened. In a country where Shias, Sunnia, Wahabis, Syrian, Parsi Muslims have lived cordially and amicably for centuries will lose the humanness in them and act like brainless humans!

Do not put words into the mouth of the panellists. You have two ears and one mouth; use it in the same proportion, it would be a good start. I don’t want to look at you on TV and say in disgust : “Is this what India watches????!!!”, I want to listen to you moderating a debate in a more civil and cordial way, so that the Indian values of tolerance, love and respect of each other are highlighted through your debate! If it was a shouting match you would win, but unfortunately it isn’t!

Don’t kill the human spirit Arnab, you have an opportunity to enlighten the world’s largest democracy! Go light the bulb, don’t switch it off!