While sex remained the biggest spinner in 2009, terror and cricket also ruled our minds. Check out what we're leaping into in 2010
While sex remained the biggest spinner in 2009, terror and cricket also ruled our minds. Check out what we're leaping into in 2010
Here's a look at five events that were some of the biggest turning points of this year and will continue to rock us in 2010
20 and plenty: Sachin Tendulkar finished 20 years in international cricket, and was almost deified by fans and well-wishers. Functions and felicitations continued loud andu00a0 long, till Tendulkar himself said it was time to stop the celebrations. The masala mix that cricket has become, thanks to Lalit Modi's glamourous Indian Premier League (IPL) was epitomised at Mukesh Ambani's party for Sachin Tendulkar, felicitating him for two decades in the game. A strong Bollywood presence proved the humungous Bollywood-isation of cricket, where cricket is more about Preity Zinta and Shah Rukh Khan rather than pull shots and second slips.
Update: The third edition of the IPL is to be played next year.u00a0 
Trial and error: Ajmal Kasab's constant flip-flops and ridiculous statements during his trial reached a climax towards the end of the year, with the Pakistan terrorist saying that he had come to Mumbai to pursue an avenue in Bollywood. A nation waits for the prosecution to puncture holes in Kasab's theories and serve a fitting judgement.
Update:u00a0Prosecutor Ujwal Nikam says that the judgement would come in early 2010.
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Wild Woods:u00a0Golf's poster boy crashed from the pantheon of sporting Gods with a sex scandal that rocked the world. As the list of the blonde and buxom who bedded Tiger grew in number, Tiger's sponsors dropped him and an intense debate raged on media ethics.
Update: Tiger has called it quits but hardcore fans hope that he emerges from the Woods in 2010. 
Bleak Christmas for Tiger
As Tiger Woods's many mistresses came out of the woodwork, he took time off from golf and hopefully his other women to concentrate on his marriage and family. This plan, however, did not work as his Swedish model wife Elin Nordegren and their children spent Christmas with her family in Sweden whereas Woods was on his yacht for the holidaysu00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
Sex tapes: Just as you thought 2009 is going to fade quietly into the darkness, our politicians as usual, never let us down. This time it was Andhra Pradesh Governor N D Tiwari, who was caught in a sting operation in a sex tape that showed him in a compromising position with three women. The 86-year-old's black past was brought to light andu00a0 the opposition shouted itself hoarse about the Congress and morals in public life as others went on about the veracity of the tapes. The sex scandal given the delicious voyeuristic response it always receives, even put the Telangana issue on the political backburner.
Update:u00a0N D Tiwari has resigned; the authenticity of the tape shown by a television channel is being probed.u00a0
Big skid: The two faces of Indian aviation were evident with a Kingfisher ATR aircraft IT 4124 Bhavnagar-Mumbai skidding off runway 0927 on November 10, 2009. The aircraft is still parked at the end of runway at Mumbai airport where officials claim the company is still calculating the damages. Yet, the aviation scenario certainly looks brighter, with experts saying that India, the ninth largest aviation market in the world, grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18 per cent.
Update: Forecasts say that at the current pace, India is expected to be in the top five aviation nations by 2010.
Coming up..
Wealth health: New Delhi is readying for the 2010 Commonwealth Games to be held in the capital in September 2010. The multi-sports extravaganza is a strong indicator of the nation's growing stature in every sphere. There are a few rumblings that British athletes may stay away from the Games, focussing on their preparation for the London Olympics in 2012, but then a lot can happen between now and September.
Run fun: Just as we get into the new year, Mumbaikars will gear up to do some sole-sear(ch)ing. That is exactly what the Mumbai Marathon 2010 slated to be held on January 17, promises to be. The scorching pace, killer course (42 km of lung bursting endurance) and adrenaline rush, all come together to make this day extra special. Both the half-marathoners (21 km) and the full marathoners (42 km) are to run on the Bandra Worli Sea Link.
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Mono suno: Reports are filtering in that Mumbai's Monorail project (on a slew of different routes in the city) is to be completed by 2010. These single-track trains, officials promise, might change the face of transportation in the city. The first project that connects south Mumbai to the eastern suburbs (Jacob Circle to Chembur via Wadala) is set to be completed by October 2010. Wary Mumbaikars, who have witnessed infrastructure projects stalled for years, are waiting though.
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Cool cats: Call it a disastrous debut. In 2009, the Common Admission Test (CAT) an all-India test conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) as an entrance exam for the management programmes of its seven business schools went online. The test was scheduled in 32 cities at 105 centres, all connected to a main server from November 28 to December 8, 2009. Unfortunately, there was a crash. Now, it has been decided to continue with computerised CAT. Candidates who experienced glitches willu00a0 be given another opportunity to test in the second half of January 2010.u00a0
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Khan't wait: Bollywood's big release for 2010 Karan Johar's, My Name is Khan stars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, the Dilwaale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge jodi that comes together after eight years. The movie's plot revolves around the central character afflicted with a fairly rare illness and it is set in San Francisco and Mumbai proving once again that the desi is going global in reel life and real life. 
Inputs: Bipin Kumar Singh; Kranti Vibhute
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