My End of The Year Awards

Since this is the first year of my blog, I have never written a year end blog before. I figured why not join the rest of the world and make lists. So here are my awards for 2009...

Politician of the Year- Rahul Gandhi

I am still at odds on whether I like the man or not, but what can you say, he got it done this year. The Congress dominated the national elections and there is no doubt that Rahul Gandhi's tireless travels played a huge role in their clear cut win. Since the win he has not stopped being in the news either. His "hanging with the people" strategy is interesting and fresh. I still can't tell if it is genuine, political, strategic or actually something revolutionary in our country. Whatever it is, it caught my eye. Will be interesting to see if the current fall out in Andhra Pradesh hurts his party and more interesting to see if he continues to reach out to the people in 2010.

Honorable Mention- Kapil Sibal (For the revolution he is starting in education. If it gets rolling, look for him to be at the top of the list next year)

Sportsperson of the Year- Leander Paes

This may come as a shock to most. We had so many good athletes this year, Saina Nehwal, Pankaj Advani, Somdev Devvarman, a number of Indian Boxers and a number of Indian golfers. I was debating between Saina Nehwal and Leander. But at age 36 Leander Paes won two Grand Slams in mens doubles and was a runner up in the US Open mixed doubles making him my Sportsperson of the year. The achievements of both Paes and Bhupati often go unnoticed because we are so used to them winning. It is time they get credit for their accomplishments. Leander showed this year that the next generation of Indian Tennis is far from reaching even close to where he is.

Honorable Mention- Saina Nehwal and Gary Kirsten (the most under appreciated Indian coach ever)

Film of the Year- 3 Idiots

Well to be totally honest I haven't seen a lot of films so it is hard for me to give a fair comparison. But if any of them can beat 3 idiots, I will be shocked. If you haven't seen it, check it out. Its hilarious, intelligent and Aamir Khan is his usual phenomenal self. Don't miss this one

Achievement of the Year- AR Rahman- Oscars

It seems so long back that the star performed at the Oscars and then brought home two of them. His musical achievements have dazzled us through the years and this time he was recognized globally. While the achievement was brilliant in itself, the class with which he carried himself showed us once again that he is something special.

Honorable Mention- Sachin Tendulkar's 20 years in cricket

Story of the Year- Satyam

This was a tough pick with the National Elections and the bounce back of the Stock Market. But when you look back, the Satyam scandal was probably the biggest story of the year. A man who the world respected slapped us all in the face with the biggest corporate scandal in Indian history. The shock wave that it sent through corporate India still echos. The bail out, shame and fear it created makes it a story for the ages.

Honorable Mention- National Elections, Stock Market Rebound

Rubbish Hype of the Year that died down fast- Fake IPL Player

When an anonymous blogger known only as Fake IPL Player started blogging on the inside happenings of the Kolkata Knight Riders it shook the team and the cyber world. Wit coupled with interesting inside scoop made this one of the most interesting reads during IPL II. Getting fully hooked I read it everyday. But then it was clear the millions of hits got to the writers head. He became arrogant and with the most bizarre final blog, he disappeared. His failed attempt to make a comeback in the T20 World Cup was both lame and non eventful.

Honorable Mention- SRK being held up by airport security and Shiney Ahuja the maid rapist

Few lists

5 People or Things I think we will hear about it 2010 (in no particular order)

1) Kapil Sibal-He will nurture a revolutionary change whose seeds have been planted

2) Pranab Mukherjee- He has a shot to launch us in to the next bull run. Will he?

3) SRK- Love him or hate him, after a terrible 2009, King Khan will be back

4) Corporate India- Corus, Jaguar, Lyondell- We ain't seen nothing yet.

5) The Commonwealth Games (I just hope for the right reasons)

5 People I wish we don't hear about it 2010 (in no particular order)

1) Raj Thackeray

2) Raj Thackeray

3) Raj Thackeray

4) Raj Thackeray

5) Raj Thackeray

5 things I hope happen in 2010

1) Sania Mirza quits singles to focus on doubles

2) Sensex 25,000. One can only hope :-)

3) A peaceful solution to the Ambani spat

4) Tiger Woods winning all 4 Grand Slams- ( I know this has nothing to do with India, but I had to throw it in there)

5) My marriage to Katrina Kaif.

See you all in 2010. Have a great year!!!

Photo Credit

Leander Paes- http://im.rediff.com/sports/2008/mar/31paes.jpg

Ramalinga Raju- http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/01/0107_scandals/image/ramalinga-raju.jpg

Kapil Sibal- http://www.topnews.in/files/kapil-sibal_3.jpg