In the middle and from no where .. thunder and lightening and heavy rain … the sound on the roof of the studio for KBC unable to keep it away and we stop … stop the game show .. stop everything … contestant in seat, audience on hold and the power in the facility goes off ! Now there is no air conditioning, the generators cannot take on the load apart from the intricate lighting .. and after a while we decide to battle on .. and somehow complete the days’ work.

There is always a sense of achievement, a completeness when there is accomplishment despite the hurdles that are put before us. When an entire mass of people co operate, support and swing along with you, the desire to do more and do it better always prevails.

I have often wondered what it is that provokes and propels us to do better in adversity. There is a will and feature that brings defiance to the fore. It comes within us in such naturalness that the provocation almost endorses the stand taken - we shall do it and do it better !!

Defiance faces determination faces will faces hurt arrogance ! No matter what the premise, it is seldom that your determination shall ever go unchallenged. Somewhere some how, we psyche ourselves into believing that an external effort shall dwarf all else and we shall prevail and win.

In such circumstance I would rather never elaborate, but would be determined to prove someone or something wrong. Nothing deliberate or vengeful - just a small gesture that would entwine all, in a goal that must be reached. Talking about it diminishes value. A quiet yet effective attempt is what is the preferred option. Better in such circumstances that others do the talking as opposed to you doing the talking for the others ! A marked difference, but one, that I am certain many would respect.

We linger about too long and for too aimless a purpose when we settle down to be appreciated. Let it come on its own, if at all it has to come. Use the time of, waiting for the applause, to creating another moment that deserves it.

I would do that … but I would never recommend it to any other. If it did not come from within, it probably never will. Some things just cannot be talked into, they need to happen, unconsciously without interruption - a willful flow than a flow of unwillingness !

Harbhajan Singh has done it again ! Another century against New Zealand and bringing India on to a respectable game. This is unusual. Bhajji is the one that is supposed to bowl, is the nominated wicket taker - he of Turbanator fame ! Instead, he has bowled and batted both, and brought such relevance to his position in the team, that it now seems inevitable that whenever he shall come out the expectations shall drive him to deliver.

I send him greetings whenever he has performed - performed well and with reward. And, as is his wont, he always responds and acknowledges back. Writing copious expressions of gratefulness and thanks. Not so some of his colleagues, who despite the details of the greeting have chosen to remain silent. They must have their reasons. Suffice to say that we congratulated, because we felt strongly for the moment. If they did not feel so, if that is reason for their silence, then they must have an answer for it, an answer which I may not now necessarily want to make.

I find similar situations with my other colleagues in the industry. A wish to them at times takes a huge amount of space and strategic planning to be cushioned and brought across. Many a time because of the status of the being, the message does not reach the right sources - a lament which according to me should really have been accepted. But it does dearest one !

It does not bother me, but it remains in the realms of our understanding. It may coerce me to never pay attention to said individual .. the one we may have seen since the beginning of the episode, but yes it remains within.

I had wished him at a dignified hour - just passed  midnight - but there came no response. He must have his reasons for it and its consequences. Its been more about a fortnight since I said this to you, or rather you have said that to mee . Let me not spoil the moment and your own respect and admiration of this -

That sinking feel prevails and comes upon us in the shape of … yup you got it … slumber !

Thank you for being with us and may the essentials of the show - life, friends, companions ever grow to greater heights !!

A contestant tonight as he won the FFF ( fastest finger first ), came up and whispered, as I was being dressed up/ picked up, for the show - ‘Sir what is this FmXt in your blog’ !??

The smile on my face still lights up the dark of the night in Prateeksha. Tomorrow when we shall introduce you to the rest of the life lines and options, remember those that you met when you were climbing the hockey or cricket field. It is they, that have that magic formula of success .. even in adverse circumstances !!

Amitabh Bachchan