His impact outside offstump!

"On the off side, first there is God and then there is Ganguly", said Rahul Dravid. I am not quoting it here to begin my  review like a school essay, but to begin with the best thing anyone has ever said about Sourav Ganguly, the prince of  Calcutta. That is the thing he should be the first known for - his elegant batting. Over 7000 test runs and over 11000 ODI  runs is a phenomenal achievement. But, Ganguly's legacy is much more than that.

There are only two kinds of cricket fans - Dada lovers and Dada haters. But when it comes to his retirement, people are of  only one kind - the saddened ones. He would let the ball through his legs for a boundary and would also take a stunning  backward running catch. He would look silly against every short ball and would also come back to score a mesmerizing century;  He made me write '5 good reasons to drop Ganguly' in one of my earliest review and now he makes me write that he will be  missed. Such is his personality. He is easily the most indeterministic and pulsating personality to have played for India.

There are many things one could speak of Ganguly - his batting, his leadership abilities, his contributions to Indian  Cricket, etc. But what stands apart in Ganguly is his incredible inability to flinch. Right from the fast bowlers to the  media, everyone has kept bowling bouncers at him; and everytime they threw him away, he only came back to make stronger  statements, not just at the press conferences but with also his performance. 

What stands apart in Ganguly is his incredible inability to flinch

Pre-Ganguly era of Indian cricketers were tacticians, but were known to be fragile. Ganguly showed the Indian team how to  play the sport with fire. India has had equally passionate, popular and angry men like Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev. But no  one could rub off their attitude on to the other players as Ganguly did. When he was ecstatic, the entire team was ecstatic.  When he was down in mood, again, the entire team was down. His influence was immense. In a sense, he was a true leader. 

It was nice to see Ganguly finish on a winning note. It was a terrific and great gesture when Dhoni asked Ganguly to captain  the side for some 5 overs in the final test. And to see Sourav, wearing coolers and dictating the field, commanding was such  a sight. A sight that would make every Sourav fan nostalgic and delighted. That final few moments will remain in my heart  forever. On records, he is the best captain for India so far and would remain that way, for his impact is a lot more than  just record wins. He created that spark, that infectious 'attitude' which intimidated even the strongest of oppositions. He  will be remembered for his perosnality, he will be remember for being 'Dada'.

Why Cricket is life

My friend had forwarded me an article from Cricinfo:
http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/376791.html
Everyword is such a truth in that it reflects perfectly the state of mind of the 20-25 year olds around. It was a sensational read and a nostalgic one

I was shell shocked when Kumble announced his retirement. There was a turbulance that I could not explain to myself. I was speaking with my friends and colleagues that it felt really sad to see Kumble leave; This day when I saw Ganguly for the last time playing for India, the feelings got a lot worse. I would have cried if it wasnt for the "grown-up" cover on me. True, if it wasnt for cricket and MY generation of cricketers, the child in me would have gone. I cannot explain what I would feel when I see Dravid, my favorite cricket, go. Just the anticipation of it is terrible
Whoever said that cricket is a religion, I realize now that has not said it to make a quotable quote; but it is just ground truth. Cricket has been everything in life. Cricket on streets, cricket with soft ball, cricket with cork ball, cricket with cricket ball, cricket with a stick and plastic ball inside home, and book cricket. Probably movies came close to such a passion, but when Rajinikanth and Kamal Hassan got older, it did not matter. It would not matter if they do not act anymore as well.

I have not seen India's struggle for independence against the British. But if I can draw an analogy to Cricket, the Sachin-Sourav-Dravid-Laxman-Kumble era was that, an period of cricketing struggle to make India a strong team. Just Sachin, Dravid and Laxman are still around. But it is obvious that they are just clinging on. When they leave, India might become a dominant cricketing team we have always dreamt off all these years. But without them it is hard to cherish that dream-come-true.

India has found Dhoni to lead Indian cricket. Transitions have happened even during the Sachin-Sourav-Dravid-Laxman-Kumble days. But this, is a clear mark of a new Cricketing era. When these oldies are retiring one after the other, the child in me is slowly dying. Cricket might still be fascinating; but it is not the Cricket I have known, I have seen and I have grown with.

Not the way Mr. Dhoni

As posted by me as envyram @ mouthshut.com

Dhoni has this incredible gift as a captain - to make things happen. He made it happen yet again on 3rd day of the final test match between India and Australia. From a position of 189/2 at close of play yesterday, Australian side just managed few more but lost 8 wickets on day three to finish at 355 all out. I just happened to read this comment from an reader at Cricinfo "Dhoni can walk on water". That summed it up

However, it takes us back to couple of cliches ... the cliches of debates and the cliches of Cricket .

The Cliche of debates - Does the end justify means?

There is no answer to this in general, but when it comes to sports it does have an answer. Sports is all about playing the game "fair". When you do not give a chance for the opponent to win, you have not been fair. As a cricket fan, I do not mind seeing India end up losing in a quest for victory; A victory in a fair way. Now, even if India happens to go on to win, I am not too sure if I would be entirely proud. There would be that lingering bitterness of not having played fair cricket.

Indian writers have been equivocal about Dhoni's tactics. They have also criticized Australia for not taking the game ahead! We have not been fair to them on field, let us be fair to them atleast off the field! The boring day's cricket can be attributed to none other than Dhoni.

Few even claim that India was not negative, but only Defensive! Such a thin line between the two. Whatever the terms used, it was evident that Cricket was played as it should not be

The Cliche of Cricket - How to make test matches interesting?

One of the funniest remarks I have heard with respect to test cricket is the comment by Richie Benaud. When Geoff Boycott said "Test matches are boring", Richie replied,"Well ... who made it boring?!". The state of test cricket is not discussed only recently after the advent of T20, but it has remained since the days of 1950s when anything bowled at Boycs was well ... left.

Those looking for the answer for - how to make test cricket better, would have found the answer today. It was such a boring days cricket to see bowlers bowl wide of offstump and batsman not using their bat. Any rule ICC brings to halt an 8-1 field or anything the governing body tries to do will not make test cricket interesting. It is up to the players to play for a win and make cricket intersting.

Dhoni's defensiveness could have been justified if the bowlers had bowled at the stumps and still managed to keep the runs in check; trying to choke the runs is OK as long as it is done the right way.

It is so strange to see such a defensive tactic from Dhoni, who was at his aggressive best in the 320 run massacre of Australia at Mohali. Those who justify the tactics are definitely the ones who did not watch the match, but just the score. Those who would have seen would know, the tactics used by India today is not good for both the spectators and for the spirit of Cricket

Copyrights, Piracy et al

At office we all (team members) had to do a presentation. When it was my turn, I presented this ... just thought could share it here



When you find time, please check (just few slides) and let me know your comments

Smiles,
Vinayak

The concept of my dream

Friends, this is an official announcement, think of a press-release alike :)

I have always dreamt to be an entreprenuer. When (and if) I become one, I would be having a corporate with social responsibility (CSR). I thought, instead why not create a corporate for social responsibility. What was just a thought has become a little more serious at this stage:

www.responsibleindiandrivers.com/

You might find nothing there and it is still in a conceptual stage, but almost there to become an existing entity. To just start off with things, I have invested a tiny Rs.500 by registering the domain.

What it aims to do?

• Make people sensible road users

Thats it. Yes, thats it to start with.

While, there are n number of non-profit organizations creating awareness, doing charitable activities, etc., most of them lose steam because of various reasons:

• Requires volunteers (there are not many around, and those around not always around)
• Funds: Most of them work on donations. Shortage of funds becomes inevitable after some stage
• Clarity in objective: Many charitable start-ups do not specialize. While the effort to contribute in everyway is commendable, they become victims of their own over-enthusiasm and doing-everythings

I am keen to set up something that works by itself. Creates money for itself, without donations. Creates new opportunities to explore. 

Why Driving?

1. There are many organizations for other social activities - charity, the keep city clean greens, children educations etc. While I would love to do these too, I wanted to do something that is a just a tad different
2. I see it creating the new opportunities later, even for activities as above

Why this blog post?

I should not be doing only thinking and only talking. I am committing myself here to get to action. I am not alone in this. Doing this along with my friends who have been a part of, well ME. Might require all your help as well, to spread the word. Not now, but when it takes a reasonable shape. Also, requesting here your comments and any new ideas I can pick up to implement as a part of 'responsible Indian drivers'.

More updates to follow, pretty soon ...

Smiles,

Vinayak

Chennai Marathon - Unorganized crap

The race was about to begin at 6:30 at island grounds. I have run two half-marathons in my life but none in our own country. So was excited, really excited, to see a marathon happening and happening at such a large scale in Chennai. But this pleasant rainbow early Sunday morning was my only gain out of Chennai Marathon. Had to get to the place first, before participating. Beach road was blocked at Napier's bridge at around 5:45. Take diversion ->

We got around to the island grounds assuming the race would be from there (as it was mentioned everywhere including its website). We parked our bike there and when we came out, heard an announcement that the race started at the Secretariat! Oops, we had only some 5 minutes before the race.

We inquired if we can take the bike there and if a parking is available. We had to ask this only to a policeman as there were no volunteers around, in the parking area, and even on the stages set-up just outside the parking area. We took the policeman's word and started on our journey to the Secretariat! Take diversion ->
Not to see the finish line would be an awful feeling alright, but not to see the Start line is an awful feeling altogether on a different league
When we got the road directed by the policeman, there was another policeman blocking us. He just said, you cannot enter. I asked him, then how do I get to the Secretariat. He said, "That, I do not know!". More diversions and we ended up near Central. Another policeman said that all roads to Secretariat were blocked and no vehicles can enter! Now, I decided that I would place the bike in the same place (Island grounds) and walk. By the time I made up my mind, even the road to Island grounds was blocked! Take diversion ->

I quit and reached home. But, where were the volunteers??! I know I cannot believe policemen who might not have the correct information. But couldn't spot anyone who might direct me correctly. I agree that perfectly organizing such a grand event is a tall ask. But there should be some organizing at least, when they know the crowd will be massive.

Wycombe half marathon was my first and Silverstone was my better half (marathon) in terms of timing :) But both were in UK. I wanted Chennai to be my best. It did not happen. Not to see the finish line would be an awful feeling alright, but not to see the Start line is an awful feeling altogether on a different league. Hope those who made it to the Start line had good fun

(Some updates after I read/heard all the news: http://www.mouthshut.com/diary/djgdonou/Give-life-Chennai-Marathon-takes-away-a-life)

Mahi way

Been a long time since I have posted on Cricket ... but couldn't resist posting this one.

It has been such a joy to see India beat Srilanka. It has been funny and frustrating to watch Indian batsman crumble against 'Mendis the menace' in Asia cup and the test series, but Dhoni has shown the way to win even during the most difficult days.

Days have not been difficult only because of Mendis. India's batting form has, in general, dipped; Ishant Sharma, the one with thin frame but with abilty to produce those thick edges from batsmen, is sitting off with an injury; Sehwag, in ominous form, has been away with injury as well (OK, lemme include Sachin in the list as well, for the sake of his fans). To add to all this, India is playing away from home, and we all know even best of the sides can look silly on foreign lands.

Srilanka has its own share of woes as well. People may argue its Srilanka's bad form, plus the likes of Malinga, Maharoof missing has been advantageous to India. But compare these to India troubles I have mentioned above. Clearly, India were lesser favorties to win the series.

Though, the series win is a collective team effort, a major chunk of the credit goes to Dhoni. He has done the right thing by winning the toss and electing to bat first all 4 times :) . Kidding apart, he has led from the front - played a big role with the bat in each of India's wins. He is cool and practical and has an admirable ability to inspire. Indian team is still winning and losing and havent become indomitable yet. But there is a sharp change in attitude and the way they approach the game. This is so heartening to see. If I attribute this change to Dhoni, there would be no FAE (Fundamental attribution error) on my part.

From a just wild slogging batsman, Dhoni has clearly worked his way up and going strong. Way to go Mahi ...

India, Iphone, Tata Nano, deadlock et al !!

My RSS feed has been flooded with Iphone news and has not yet ceased even after month of its launch. First thing that comes to my mind is the number of Indians who might have been the 'workforce' and 'brains' behind a Safari browser or a chip that lies inside Iphone. What if we used all these people to build a product from India?

India has been known for its 'services' ,but more the services grows in India, there will be some other economy that will grow exponentially. For instance, let us say a software company wins a project from a Insurance company. The Insurance company will not invest in the software if it does not expect a huge return out of its investment. So, at least theoretically, we do a 'service' for other economies to grow.

When does India become the India we dream of? From the little economics I know, I can see it happening only when India develops more 'products'. Tata Nano has been the only such product I am aware to have made the world look up. But that too for its cost-effectiveness or to put blatantly for being 'cheap'. Nevertheless, it could create news.

India is definitely capable of producing more products. There is no dearth for talent, we all know. But, a huge investment is often needed to conceptualize-and-develop a product. And if the product doesnt sell after all that? This is the risk Indian manufacturers or potential manufacturers cannot take. This is the reason why, I guess, most of the guys with money dont invest in Products. Not even software companies with such expertise doesnt venture into products.

So, we need money (i.e our economy to grow) to develop products. And we need to develop products for our economy to grow to that extent. A deadlock here, I guess. How do we get over this?!

If you want it, you gotto pay for it

If you would feel what I am going to say is silly, thats exactly the pathetic state I am about to discuss.

Piracy is one common thing in the world these days. It is so common that not many realize it is actually illegal. I am pretty sure you would not be shoplifting or picking pockets. Piracy is just as bad as these. So, you have now guessed what would follow ... some gyan like do not watch movies online, buy original music CDs and do not download songs illegally, do not crack software; only use originals, etc?? Not quite, but close ...

I just want to jot down what I do to help myself away from piracy:

1. I listen to songs online or on radio or from somewhere. If I like the songs, I buy original CDs and then copy to my Ipod or whatever. But I BUY.
2. I buy original software. I paid 5000 bucks for my OS on my laptop. I use only FREEWAREs like google products and affiliates - Firefox, Star Office, Thunderbird, etc. I do not even have the MS-Office, invariably pirated on most people's laptop/PCs.
3. I do not watch movies online/download. I go only to theater or buy original DVDs of the classics I like very much. If I am outside India and happen to miss a movie because of that, I can take it. I am not going to die just for not watching a movie

I might still breach the law somewhere without my knowledge. But I am trying to get there - a honest life.

Even my good friends do not bother about piracy and stuff. Some give it a damn, most of them do not realize the seriousness. I see links to movie sites, passwords for software hacks etc on my friends' blogs. For some reasons, I get really flustered when I see these. And again, I am not asking anyone to change or anything. I already feel stupid for have posted this, and might feel stupider if I ask people to stop piracy. I just had to vent my disappointments out ... and no other place is better than my blog which people rarely vist (including me)

Tragic end to the rolling mouse ...

Of all the gadgets I use, my favorite is the mouse; or at least used to be. I used to share my feelings to the mouse! The force of my mouse clicks, the force of my drag, my silly fidgeting of the little device all used to reveal my emotions!

The best feature of the mouse used to be the 'mouse ball'. You can dismantle it and play with the ball when you have had enough clicking to do on your PC. Half the time, the mouse would get struck and if you remove the ball, clean the wheels it used to run better. It was good time pass. Then this innocuous middle-click. Not many applications recognizes this button and you can keep clicking it - 1. To frustrate people 2. To make people believe you are working

Now, its all replaced with LED trackings and laser trackings. Then there is wireless mouse; size has shrunk; There is a wheel instead of middle click. And when it doesnt have a wire (and not resemble a mouse), how can we still call it a mouse. Gone are those days of mouse, makes me nostalgic!

Smiles,
Vinayak

Why people dont read my blog?

Not really tough to see why people dont read my blog ...

1) I dont update it quite often
2) All that I write is almost always unintelligible scribblings
3) I myself cant get my url right on first attempt: http://unintelligiblescribblings.blogspot.com (hope this is right!)

If you happen to read this, I am pretty sure you have landed here by mistake; misled by a horrible search engine or you are my dearest friend. Whatever category you fall, please click the ads link anywhere here. That would fetch me some money to buy you a gift ;) yes, you can trust me :)

Smiles,
Vinayak