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)