An interesting parallel

between the American Presidential Election and the Stanford Farce in West Indies by Alex Try. Can't agree more with Alex!!

Cricket

Just finished watching the entire highlights package of day 3 of the test at Delhi. Well Australians fought hard. But India still has a chance to convert this match into a victory. They need to be aggressive and a little bit of luck will help. The Indians bowled well as a unit. Kumble until he got injured did a decent job. Though his critics would be pointing out to the 70 wicketless overs he has bowled. Mishra was decent. The fast bowlers bowled greats pells but were unlucky with lots of edges going to into empty spaces in the slip cordon. But surely the man of the day was Viru. Well well...What can I say. He bowled great off spin. He flighted the ball and encouraged the batsman to attack him. He foxed three batsman and all of them were balls that an offspinner would be proud of. The one he got Hussey was a gem! Sheer joy when you see the guy you like play well! And man was he smiling or what. The highlights package after tea was more like Sehwag overs only!

Lets hope for more luck for today!

Does seem a

bad plan to me to assist 3 million homeowners especially given that how you determine if a household qualifies is so subjective!

China

seems to adversely affected by the economic downturn. A series of steps to better the situation!

An interesting

piece on the lack of empathy towards the financial sector by Vir Sanghvi

Really

its sickening to get up and watch news like this everyday. I am even scared to look at news!

Well

economist endorses Obama today. A very nice piece that sums up the positives and negatives of both candidates in a sensible manner. You have to agree with the Economist! If only it was the real McCain running for election he might have had a chance. But its a republican McCain who is running for election and he doesn't stand a chance against an articulate opponent like Onama (against Kerry it worked but you don't get dumb democratic candidates always!)

So I guess it seems like Obama will win a landslide victory. Lets see!

Hmm

What can I say... My horoscope!

It's not that you are insecure; it's just that you might be overly
concerned with someone's feelings today. If you do decide to
temporarily hide your true intentions by being vague, keep in mind that
it's to your benefit now to gradually disclose more information. Others
can be more fully involved once they know what's really going on.

Some things

You never know what is the right thing to do. Well may be there isn't a right thing!

Life seems to be full of such times!

Anyway!

Cricket

Well well well... What do we have here. Australia again on the mat. Good to see the Indian team not loosing focus and playing sensible (and aggressive) cricket! They need to wrap things up and get the job done over the next 3 days (I want Australia to be trashed in 4 days!!)

There were good knocks from Gambhir, Tendulkar and Laxman. Lets see how they do tomorrow!

This is what Gambhir had to say after his splendid innings!

He had stayed in their eyes, but not lost his concentration. "I made my debut against Australia and I was all at sea, to be honest," Gambhir said. "At that time, I had one dream - to score runs against Australia. That dream is now coming true. I was very determined coming into this series because I sure remembered my debut Test. It wasn't that great an experience."

Only in India

can you have such an unique experience.

Samir Chopra remembers one of his pleasant memories from Kotla

It was while watching a Wills Trophy game at the Kotla that I enjoyed one of my most pleasant Indian cricketing experiences. A bunch of us lads from the University had gone down to see a match-up between the Challengers and the Indian side in a one-day game. We showed up with little money in our pockets other than the odd rupee that would aid in the buying of cheap cigarettes and possibly a cup of tea later in the day. Food seemed like a minor detail at the time. The sun was out, cricket was on, what more could we need?

An elderly gentleman sat in front of us, and at lunchtime, proceeded to unpack what seemed like a gigantic lunch box. We looked on hungrily, our appetites suddenly aroused by this sight. Our friend, who had chatted gaily with us about matters cricketing before, proceeded to share his lunch with us, handing out delicious parathas left right and centre, all gratefully and ravenously consumed by us. He was generous to a fault, and he knew his cricket. It was a uniquely Indian moment.

Nice peice

on how we make too much fuss about the fab four with comparison on the old spin quartet. They were some great spinners! Prasanna, Chandrasekhar, Bedi and Venkat! Would have been a treat to watch those masters live!

Anyway!

Today the second test begins

A lot of hype for the third test to begin in Delhi. I hope we can seal the series in Delhi. That will be fun!

Hmmm

Sometimes I really don't know the reason for doing somethings. Its not like I don't know but sometimes that does not seem logical enough! But you follow your instincts like I usually do! It makes it harder when you have to answer the question...... why?.... that too if the question arises from outside....

But well if you knew reasons for every action of yours wouldn't life be boring! Or that's what I think to keep moving ahead!

Anyway!

As if my thoughts

aren't unnerving enough, I have to see such horoscope :P

The Scorpio New Moon isn't easy for you because it can put your head and your heart in direct conflict. Which will win? Either way, something is lost. Instead of choosing logic or emotions, find a position from where you can honor both realms, allowing you to keep in touch with your feelings while still remaining rational.

God help me!

Adore him for the positves

like Mukul Kesavan does it here. A stunning piece on Dhoni!

It is difficult to choose excerpts from this piece. But I will select some paragraphs

There's something special about Dhoni.It can't just be that he's a provincial from Jharkhand who's made it to the top. There's been a cohort of "provincial" players who have represented India in recent years: Mohammad Kaif, Virender Sehwag, Suresh Raina, the brothers Pathan, come to mind. It can't even be that he's the outstanding player among them, because he's not. Sehwag is the greatest natural talent Indian batting has seen since Sachin Tendulkar's debut (so true!!).

...

He is the only Indian cricketer in the last 40 years (apart from Sehwag) who actually does what Kipling prescribed in that corny but resounding poem, "If": he meets with Triumph and Disaster and treats those two imposters just the same

Do read the whole piece!

The Ground beneath Her Feet

Salman Rushdie's is a genius. I have read his Midnights Children, Satanic Verses. Of course he is a literary genius who sometimes flirts with ridiculousness. Basically I can appreciate his genius only to a certain level beyond which his intricate fantasies I am (shall I say) unable to comprehend. But in some specific parts of the book he really makes you wonder about somethings.

One of those things he says in the current book about the three main characters in the book!

I never realized sometimes words do capture some emotions.

Pretty

scary analysis of the future! Economic future of course!

Weather

Its winter in Texas. Well, its not as bad as it is up north. But still handling temperature drops of 30-40 degrees in a matter of 2-3 days isn't easy. May be in a week or so I can handle the cold better. Lets see!

The rot

seems to be spreading across the world markets. This is not good!

Finally a balanced

perspective on the entry of film stars into politics. I believe that GLV Narasimha Rao got it right.
Lets see!

Ian Chappell

on why Indian captaincy should be handed to Dhoni

An interesting excerpt

It has been said that good captaincy is like pornography - it's hard to define but you know it when you see it. Usually when you do see it, a victory soon follows and after Dhoni's great performance at Mohali, it might be the right time to ask Healy if he still thinks good captaincy doesn't affect the result of a match.

No comments :P
Of course I disagree with Ian though!

There is some truth

to the argument that luck plays an important role in Tests especially in India as Suresh Menon points out. But in the current series, Australia won the toss in the first test yet could not capitalize. They played very slowly allowing India to have less time to bat. So India managed to survive. On the contrary India raked up runs at more than 4 per over putting Australia under serious pressure! So India won the test! Lets see how the rest of the series goes!

Hmmm

It is so difficult to manage life. Isn't it?

It seems funny that I feel this way (especially seeing what most people in the world go through!). But at some moments I do!

Weirdness!!

Very weird week has come to an end. I just hope it will be better from now on. I am getting bugged with lot of stupid things that are not allowing me to focus!

Seriously freaky

My horoscope for the day

It's challenging to be you sometimes, even if your life looks good on
the surface. External appearances can be quite misleading, for there
are tricky planetary forces pulling you into deeper waters today.
Fortunately, you are quite comfortable in the intense emotional
currents, so don't waste any energy trying to avoid them. Dive in and
learn something new about yourself.

No comments

A splendid piece

documenting the Indian pace attack's revival or should I say their first coming by Dileep Premachandran

Weird!!

Just had one of the weirdest incidents in my life! I don't even know why that happened. All I know it has spoiled my mood!

Anyway!

Money markets explained

An interesting explanation of the financial crisis from the Economist



Pretty informative!

Jealousy

starts when you are 3 months old according to this research!
Pretty early isn't it?

Interesting take on Men

Can't say I disagree with Mudra on this one!

An open letter

to Ricky Ponting by Jagadish.

Have to say its pretty damning!

Australian spectators coping it?

Hilarious this! isn't it?

I love this one the most

It’s strange being an Australian in another country when the team
loses, and in India it gains you more attention. People who didn’t
recognise me before suddenly are – and they want to talk. “Sorry
Australia,” one young boy said, smiling as I walked to the ground on
day five.

I can see myself doing that when I was young! May be even now :P

Is McCain catching up?

The poll results seem to point that way!

An important day

in the Indian space program! Details here

Finally

some one gives credit to all the people who deserve it. Anand Vasu discusses the contributions of Kumble and Dhoni to the test team here

American's changing their spending habits

Are they? It seems like that from here

Like good old days

May be its a little too early but it seems there is every possibility of getting there! I would like that!

We have done it

India defeats Australia. And what more this is the largets win in terms of runs in Indian cricket history! When you defeat them do it grandly :P And what more this is a great team victory with contributions from everybody! Thats the beauty of this match!

So, now we have a series to win and hopefully we can do it in style!
What about 3-0 now? I think its a possibility!

Update 12.54 AM
Dhoni gets the Man of the Match. I feel Gambhir deserved it. I agree Dhoni played well but in both innings he came and built on very good starts by openers. But thats me. This is not to take anything away from Dhoni. But I am worried that Man of the Match awards gravitate towards most popu;ar cricketer. Currently it is Dhoni. It was Tendulkar until recently. I hope the award adjudicators remain unbiased. But who am I kidding!!

A great week for Indian sportsman

Anand extends his lead in the World Championship to 2 points!

Is LTTE being tamed?

Is this the end of LTTE?

Frankly violence will not solve the problem. It can only defer it for future generations.

A sensible cricket administrator?

Surprising that he needed to be from Pakistan. But I hope his sense prevails!

The ONGC connection

Viru, Gambhir and Mishra play for the same club ONGC.

Here is what Mishra had to say about Gambhir. Very nice!

Another of Gambhir's good friends is only one-Test old. Amit Mishra plays for ONGC, the same club as Gambhir and Sehwag do. Mishra has spent years feeling happy about his friend's inclusion in the national side. "I used to sit in front of the TV set in hope that maybe this time my name would be there. But it was only Gautam's name that would bring a smile on my face, the only saving grace." It fitting that Gambhir should have cemented his place in the same match that Mishra took a five-wicket haul on debut.

I seem to like Mishra the person too :)

Are we ?

talking about an Indian fast bowler.

Ricky Ponting got the kind of ball that makes batsmen wake up in a cold sweat. That, and the delivery which darted back to trap Shane Watson in front, crowned a magnificent spell from Ishant Sharma, who must surely now be considered one of the best fast bowlers in the world

You bet!

Why am i getting tense?

It is very weird. There were times when I did not care about how the work I did resulted in papers. I was happy to help people around me. Now, I have reached a stage where if people need help I expect them to share the credit. I have had enough of helping people and seeing them getting credit without even a mention of my name. May be its getting to me. Now, when I see something is not fare I really get angry!

Anyway I need to get hold of myself and get these things smoothly handled. More reasons to run away from this place!

Simple pleasures in life!

It is simply so good to hear an Australian end his commentary saying "India dictating the terms in Mohali". Doesn't it sound sweet. It does to my ears. The commentator is Ian Chappell.

Cricket

India in a very good position. Now I really hope they will get the job done!

A good game for the debutant Amit Mishra. A nice piece on the little guy here

The beauty of the Mishra story, though, is that the legspinner could change again once Kumble is fit. And Mishra's big heart will be tested one more time. At least he has shown that borrowed it might be, but the cap fits. 

Good to see two legspinning prospects for the future (Amit Mishra and Piyush Chawla)!

Update : 10.43 am

Just saw the post match interview of Amit Mishra. He is an awesome kid! Like his small city demeanor! Hopefully he will have a long career for India.

Is it?

my imagination or am I seeing it correctly?

Will never know!

Interesting incidents of the day

From cricinfo's plays of the day

On Dhoni

There's no such thing as pain

Dhoni came out like a happy hooker today, dismissing everything short. But when Lee, bowling from round the stumps, tuck him up with a perfect short-pitched delivery, straight, and shoulder high, Dhoni played it out in his own original way. The bat stayed low, and seeing there was no way to move out of the line, he took the blow  on his body. The scene, though, looked like a tennis ball hit a brick wall. And Dhoni went back to hooking.

Have to say it was awesome the way he did it!

Other interesting stuff

Wise move of the day

In the 128th over of India's innings, Dhoni disproved the law of equal and opposite reaction. Cameron White bowled him a gentle, flat delivery, but it was sent back to him about 1367 times the pace. White smartly didn't go for the catch. With 465 already given away already, four runs wouldn't have cost Australia a lot. But White did make sure his tour didn't end right there, because had he got his hands to the ball, only God could have blessed his fingers.

Zaheer - 3, Hayden - 0
Harbhajan Singh versus Ricky Ponting is history, for there is a new one-sided love story playing at a stadium near - or away - from you. Zaheer Khan has found a liking for Matthew Hayden, and the external forces have  started conspiring to make the love materialise. Zaheer got some help from Asad Rauf in dismissing Hayden off the third ball of the innings. He dismissed Hayden in the second innings, too, lbw this time with one that might have just slid down leg. Again, in Hayden's third innings of the series, Hayden contrived to get out. The ball hit his pad, then his inside edge, and then the middle stump. Poor old Matty. He had spent more than nine hours on the field.

Dada rocks

Well, Ganguly made a hundred! Watched it live. So was awesome!
This man does it again. When the chips are stacked against him he manages to perform! That's Ganguly for you. A nice piece on his innings under pressure!

Tendulkar

Well he surely deserves a mention for what he has achieved. Doesn't he!

What a fine record. Good to see that the record was part of an important innings in the ongoing series. What he has achieved is monumental and cannot be described in words. He has played for India always under immense pressure (more pressure of expectation than the pressure from opposition). For a person to go onto the field under such pressure itself is unbelievable. Given that he performed so well he should be a pleased man.

Well, people who know me know how I do not respect him as much as a cricket aficionado like me should. But I always have my reasons for that. There are some great pieces on his career here, here.

Hmmm

What all do I let myself go through! Why?

An interesting

post on rituals by Mitra Kalita!

This I think sums up my reservations with being ritualistic pretty well

Over the last few years, my generation has appeared to be growing more religious than our parents. In this festival season, I wonder though if it’s that youth are actually less spiritual, more ritualistic, obsessed with getting dates, mantras, practices just “right”.

Nothing wrong with being ritualistic. All I hope is the feeling comes from within.

BCCI

All I can say is what else do you expect from an organization run by bunch of politicians! They were supposed to meet officials from ICL and the talks have failed (What a surprise!!). I just can't get it! Is cricket BCCI's monopoly? How can an individual's freedom of playing cricket be governed by a sports body. Why isn't ICL filing a suit? Go for it and sue those BCCI ********. Either cricket will be better or we will realize in India there is not much freedom after all.

Is this right?

Jet airways fired about 1900 employees citing reduction in passenger demand and rising fuel costs as reasons. It is not a good thing to be fired. I feel sorry for the employees. But is politicizing the issue right? If the reasons cited by the organization are incorrect I can understand standing up for the fired employees. But when in pure business terms if they cannot afford to continue with these employees what should the organization do? Keep all of them and sink as a company? I don't think politicizing such legitimate problems in the industry is not right. But that's me!

I agree there should be better provisions when a company fires employees like compensation for 6 months etc. (I am no expert so I am just suggesting). But to protest and put pressure on corporations to hold on to employees is surely not the way to go! Now, the MNS has more reason to gain publicity with protests! What pity!

Update: The protests have worked. Jet takes back all employees! Don't know what to say

I am under way too much pressure

You don't think so...
see my horoscope :P

You have to play the role of caretaker today, even if you don't want to encourage anyone else to be dependent on you. Your ability to know what to do should quickly win others over to your side now. Don't be afraid to act as long as you do so with integrity. You won't go wrong if you stick to your true convictions.

Economist's take on

India's situation amid all the financial meltdown. Considering whats happening in the US its not bad!

Excerpt

All of this might mean that once the dust settles, India is likely to re-emerge as an attractive investment destination. At least in the short term, growth in India's flagship IT-services sector is likely to slow because of the financial-sector crisis. But the rupee's depreciation will help to shore up the profitability of IT and other exporters. More importantly, Indian IT companies, as well those in other industries, are stepping up acquisitions. Strong growth in the past few years has given Indian companies the financial muscle for large acquisitions, just as the global slowdown is putting good international companies on the market. For example, in October 2008 HCL Technologies (India's fifth-largest IT-services firm) outbid Infosys Technologies (India's second-largest IT company) for UK-based Axon. This will be the Indian IT sector's largest outbound merger. At home, meanwhile, India's biggest IT company, Tata Consulting Services (TCS), announced that it would become India's second-largest business-process outsourcing (BPO) company by buying US-based Citigroup's captive Indian BPO, Citigroup Global Services, for US$505m. TCS also agreed a multi-year, US$2.5bn contract to provide Citi with outsourcing services.

Interesting

changes to the legal perception of Live-in relationships in India. Nita argues the pros and cons of the proposed law.

War of words

Ponting has taken Zaheer's bait. Lets see!

Tendulkar

Tendulkar is not the only one looking for achieving the record. A very enthusiastic statistician (Peter Marriott) is very eager for Tendulkar to achieve the landmark in Mohali and his reasoning is very strong

I was never any good at batting but in my last innings I managed 14 not out and so it is surely not too much to ask a player of Tendulkar’s calibre to score just one more run than I did.

Can't argue against that! Read the full piece here

Jumbo has a challenge to face

I have been one of the ardent supporters of Kumble all his career. But I think he has never faced as much criticism as he is facing now. He was questioned before. But that was his efficacy as a spinner overseas. In India he was Jumbo and you never questioned his efficacy. Until he became the captain. Now he faces his worst criticism. He himself knows if he is upto it. If he thinks so, we should respect his opinion for his services he performed. But of course you will give him time to realize if he has it in him or not. I really hope he will come good in the Mohali test. I really want him to go out on a high as India's greatest bowler !

A nice piece on Jumbo's challenge here by Reggie Hartman-Goodin

A very well put paragraph

Perhaps, though, he has a point to prove to himself. That on one of the rare occasions in his career when he has had to justify his place in the team - and he happens to be captain at the time - he can prove his worth. He is rightly celebrated as one of the most selfless and relentless servants of Indian cricket. But move over five-fors on unhelpful pitches in England and Australia: this is Kumble's biggest challenge. And he should be given the right to take that challenge on - at least as long as he is not blocking the path of any deserving youngster.

Some things change rarely

An interesting post on how a decade changes your perceptions towards life!

Yet some things stay same ..

Then: Nothing cheers you up like good food and the company of good friends
Now: Nothing cheers you up like good food and the company of good friends

I hope to say the same at sometime in the future!

Bollywood music directors

An interesting post on vantagepoint discussing bollywood music and plagiarism here

Important day

A very important day for my family. Now, my house officially has two Masters in Engineering people! I am very proud of my sister who completed her M.Tech today from JNTU Hyderabad.

On other fronts too today seems to be a good day. Things have to alter. They will slowly! It will require some effort and I hope I will have the strength to carry them out!

To add to the awesomeness of the day.. my code is also working!

Booker Prize

Aravind Adiga wins this years Man Booker prize for fiction for his debut novel "The White Tiger". More details here

Well

Suresh Menon fantasizes on what could have been if India (or Tendulkar) decided to take the target on in the first test.
Well, it shall remain a fantasy (the thought of the middle order attacking.... even more). Those days are over mate! Its hard but we need to accept it !

Desi guys passed over for Nobel?

The post here on Sepia Mutiny claims that Jagdish Bhagwati and Avinash Dixit have been passed because Paul Krugman has been awarded the Nobel. Interesting post is all I will say. I am no expert on International trade to make a judgment about the decision!
Some interesting details
Bhagwati is Krugman's advisor. Now, Bhagwati's advisor got a nobel and now his student got a nobel. Don't know if thats good or bad! I hope for his sake he thinks its good!

Details

of the treasury plan to inject capital into the economy are presented here

An excerpt

The companies are Citigroup Inc., Wells Fargo & Co., JPMorgan Chase & Co., Bank of America Corp., Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Morgan Stanley, State Street Corp., and Bank of New York Mellon Corp., the people said. One of the people also said Merrill Lynch & Co. will receive an investment.

Link via economist (freeexchange)

This does

sound crazy!
(Link via Indiauncut)

A poor Phd student

Most PhD's do go through such phases

The crisis

showing signs of settling? or should we say the seriousness of the problem settling in the minds of the global leaders? Either way as long as it does not get worse its fine!

Will the congress

consider imposing President's rule in AP? For those who are not aware there are a string of communal clashes in Adilabad and surrounding regions. In one of the incidents 6 people were burnt alive!

Hmmm

I clearly know what is wrong with me. I only wish it was as easy to address it too!

An interesting

perspective to look at the financial crisis.

Cricket

After looking at the performance of Indian bowlers for the last 3-4 test matches in the sub-continent it is time we reconsider playing two spinners. An argument to this effect!

If you have missed it!

Bangladesh defeated New Zealand. Awesome fun! The poor Kiwis came into the series with a chance to become the 2nd best ODI team. All they had to do was defeat the ICL torn Bangladeshi team. Guess what happened!
Don't get me wrong. I really like the Kiwis. But still I can't help but laugh!

A nice piece

by Shoba

An excerpt

Life hurts people. We all contend with loss — romantic disillusionment, job failure, and the daily pinpricks on our ego that serve to reinforce what the musician Sting calls “how fragile we are”.
The trick is to figure out how to come out smiling, if not all the time, at least enough to carry on — like my bhutta lady; like the scores of maids and auto-rickshaw drivers; and the vegetable vendors who grace us with their presence every day; who wake up every morning in abjectly poor circumstances and yet, have the courage and the chutzpah to face the world, to share a laugh while bargaining over the price of tomatoes, to carry on. To live.

How do they even come up with such stuff

My horoscope :P

Today it's your turn to step outside the box. It's easier now for you to entertain a relationship with less of a commitment, for you are feeling more emotionally secure. Exploring your passions can lead you in unexpected directions if you have the courage to remain open to change. Communication is the key that can open the door to love, but you cannot hold on to what you once thought was true.

Ganguly

lets out some steam here.

Well, Ricky Ponting

I was worried Ricky Ponting will prove himself. He did it in style. You have to give it to him. His record in India is poor. What the hell even Shane Warne might have a better record as a batsman. But today, like all great champions do, at the time when Australia needed him he scored a very confident hundred. Now this will ensure he will retire with no more questions on his ability to play spin. Eventually he will overtake Tendulkar too. And in my opinion he deserves to! Don't get me wrong I do not like Ponting the person, but as a batsman he is very very good. I particularly like his performances when it matters (remember the WC 2003 final?). Rising to the occassion hasn't come easy to his contemporary legends!

Good to see this

from Peter Roebuck

To hear Sehwag talk about the game is to discover a sharp and dutiful
mind at work beneath that faraway look. Not that his career has been
faultless. At times he has lost his appetite for the game, with its
hotels and tours and room service, and then he has played poorly and
the team has suffered on and off the field. Although he had already
batted magnificently in a World Cup final and against the Australians,
he was deservedly dropped. A willing battler gives better service than
a reluctant star.

Realising that he enjoyed the game, perhaps even
needed it a little bit, Sehwag came back not as a whiner but as a
leader, and ever since has been a powerful force in the side. When he
speaks it is not about his own brilliance or pleasure but about his
need to give the team a good start. And he means it.

Interestingly Sehwag is most talked about batsman for this India-Australia series. I really hope he clicks!

Compilation of

Ganguly moments by cricket24x7.

More on Ganguly

Allan Llewellyn is surprised at the Indian media's hysterical reaction to Ganguly's retirement. He thought Australian media overreacted to Steve Waugh's retirement. With how Ganguly played his game I cannot imagine it being anything else
But, I do have a suggestion for you Allan. Please wait till you see Tendulkar retire. Then the reaction to Ganguly's retirement will seem like a storm in a tea cup. I will assure you that will be the greatest reaction to a cricketer's retirement. More grand than the retirement (or death - because they don't retire!) of a politician!

Another

tribute to Ganguly. This one by Dileep Premachandran

Greatbong

pays his tribute to the dada

This is really

crazy news for the financial world

Ganguly

calls it a day. After the Australia series of course!

The way he announced his retirement is documented here. I liked it!

I just hope he will have a great series and go out on a high! He thoroughly deserves it!

Here is a tribute to the man by Suresh Menon

I agree with this assessment by Menon

I suspect posterity will treat Ganguly much better than his contemporaries did.

Interesting conversation

Today had one of those interesting conversations. It does help talking!

Contentment

Some days all you feel is contentment. Just wishing it will last!

The financial

crisis seems to be releasing in Europe very soon.

What do I want?

I wish I knew it !!

Dilemma

Seems like things have cleared for now!

The discussion begins

on the upcoming India vs Australia series. Micael Jeh feels India has the advantage in the current series!

So many questions....

...... yet so few answers!

Things that I can't control

I always thought I can control everything I do. If I have learnt something in life in the last 2-3 months, it is that I can't in some issues. I need to work on them and ensure I learn from the experience.

Sometimes I am angry at myself. I am left clueless at some of my actions. I do not want to look back and feel guilty! I hope not to!

Recommendations for teachers

The committee recommendations for improving the talent pool in central, state and deemed universities. Sound promising to me. Of course, if implemented!

Bailout

has been passed. 700 billion and all !

Dilemma

There are some situations in life where you are not sure what to do. There is no right thing or wrong thing. Or is there? Well, as you can see I am not aware of what to do. So, I guess I will follow my instincts!

VP debate

Well, I have to say I was surprised listening to Palin. She was widely expected to make a fool of herself. Well, she didn't. I would not say that she spoke better than Biden or she was extra-ordinary. However, she surely exceeded my expectations. She is much better than what the media portray her to be!

More details here, here, and here

India's big five

A nice article on the Big Five

Good days

Some days like today are awesome. You feel so good about yourself. All I have done is coded some model that my prof came up with. But what fun once you have figured out how to do it. Its bliss and I am happy!

Funny

Two centurions and the Australian coach has trouble remembering Virat Kohli!

At the end of the day, Australia's coach Tim Nielsen couldn't quite
remember Kohli's name but without doubt, Rohit and "the other boy"
would have left him with a restless night.

Two young men

played innings of sheer class against the visiting Australians. Is this a sign of things to come? I hope so!

Talking openly

There are times when I am scared I reveal a lot more than what is acceptable. Well, that is how I am. Can't help it. Especially now that I am getting old!

India

taking a step towards legalizing homosexuality? Well, not that fast. There is a court hearing going on attempting to legalize homosexuality. In India, if you declare you are gay you could face a life sentence. According to me, thats ridiculous. It is up to the individual to decide what he wants to do with his sex life. It is not for the government to set rules. So I hope the freedom to individual will be restored!

Isn't this

the problem for most people on this planet?

"We'd love to laugh at America but we're too darn scared"
Very well put. See here for full piece

Samir Chopra give his view

on why India - Australia rivalry is up there!

Have to say its funny!

To add to my already

bright start to the day

This is what Shane Warne has to say about My dude Sehwag (Sehwag ranks 35 in the all time list of Warne)

Virender Sehwag is one of my favourite batsmen in world cricket today and one of my favourite personalities. This is a guy I would pay to watch. All right, he could get caught at third man to a big slash or a top edge in the first or second over, but he could just as easily bat for an hour in a way unmatched by anybody else in the world. You take pot luck with Sehwag, although the fact that he averages more than 50 in Test cricket shows that his style pays off for him more often than it does for most other batsmen with the same approach. Only Don Bradman and Brian Lara can match his achievement of scoring two triple-centuries in Test cricket, and the second of Sehwag's, against South Africa, came at better than a run a ball.

Off the field, I find him to be a really funny guy. Jeremy Snape told me a great story about him while we were working together in the Indian Premier League. Sehwag and Snape were batting for Leicestershire against Middlesex when Abdul Razzaq started reverse swinging the ball in the way that the Pakistan bowlers do.

Sehwag came up to Snape and said: “We must lose this ball. I have a plan.” Next over, he whacked that ball clean out of the ground, forcing the umpires to pick another from the box that would obviously not reverse straight away. To which Sehwag said: “We are all right for one hour.” Smart, I say.

Simply too good. To read the full list its here

Is this

an attempt, on the part of the economic academicians, to take some responsibility for being unable to predict the market collapse? Separate groups of reputed ones have sent letter urging congress to accept/reject the bail-out proposal. Seems something like that to me!