The music of JS is like my lost love. How much ever I try to convince my mind, that his compositions these days are very much unlike in quality than the yesteryears, they impose on my mind even stronger, gripping me like a crab.
The latest is from his latest album 'Karuna' (Released by EMI, Marketed by Virgin Records (India) Pvt. Ltd). As I was listening to this album, he switched to a clip, that I used to recite in my childhood. Hearing the master recite this, tripped all my circuit breakers of nostalgia and opened the flood gates of the eyes. He does this so often.
Below is a down sampled version of the clip, hope this will not impinge on the master's copyrights.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Express Cricket
Nowadays this new T20 thing is being injected into our systems. I do not like it at all, as of now. Maybe I will start to, once I have no option left, other than to watch this "further-shortened" version of the game. Further, seeing the less capable teams scoring at an express rate, with no respect for the bowlers, makes me wonder, if anybody in the future would be interested to pursue his career as a bowler in this game. Just watch what Sri Lanka has been upto! Scoring 260+ in 20 overs!
I never like the manner in which the Sri Lankans play their cricket, especially their batting. They always believe in hitting the ball hard, no grace in their batting at all. (Except for yesteryears Arjuna Ranatunga and Arvind De Silva). To dig into the matter more, I decided to compare two legends of our times, Sanath Jaysuriya and Sachin Tendulkar. I decided to check who is technically more correct and successful batsman.
Let us take up the ODIs first. We also choose one of the best bowling line-up of our times Australia. This sort of rationalizes the analysis. Jaysuriya has played 43 innings so far against Australia at an average of 23.10 scoring an aggregate of 924 runs. Sachin on the hand has played 47 innings, at an average of 46.45 scoring an aggregate of 2183 runs! Since there is not much difference in the number of innings played, I think the numbers confirm the class of these two players in this version of the game against quality bowling.
Now for the Test Cricket version, which actually "tests" the consistency, class and longevity of a player. Again we rationalize against Australia. Jaysuriya has played 20 innings at an average of 32.89 aggregating 592 runs. Sachin has played 39 innings at an average of 53.11 aggregating 1859 runs! Playing more innings and yet maintaining above 50 average against the best bowling line-up says it all.
Not just with Australia, if you compare the records with other good attacks, like Pakistan or England one will find similar difference in performance. All these statistics are available at http://www.howstat.com/cricket/home.asp
All these numbers set aside, is not a pleasure to see Sachin punch one down the ground in the batsman's "V", than to see Jaysuriya lob it over covers with his legs placed awkardly?
I never like the manner in which the Sri Lankans play their cricket, especially their batting. They always believe in hitting the ball hard, no grace in their batting at all. (Except for yesteryears Arjuna Ranatunga and Arvind De Silva). To dig into the matter more, I decided to compare two legends of our times, Sanath Jaysuriya and Sachin Tendulkar. I decided to check who is technically more correct and successful batsman.
Let us take up the ODIs first. We also choose one of the best bowling line-up of our times Australia. This sort of rationalizes the analysis. Jaysuriya has played 43 innings so far against Australia at an average of 23.10 scoring an aggregate of 924 runs. Sachin on the hand has played 47 innings, at an average of 46.45 scoring an aggregate of 2183 runs! Since there is not much difference in the number of innings played, I think the numbers confirm the class of these two players in this version of the game against quality bowling.
Now for the Test Cricket version, which actually "tests" the consistency, class and longevity of a player. Again we rationalize against Australia. Jaysuriya has played 20 innings at an average of 32.89 aggregating 592 runs. Sachin has played 39 innings at an average of 53.11 aggregating 1859 runs! Playing more innings and yet maintaining above 50 average against the best bowling line-up says it all.
Not just with Australia, if you compare the records with other good attacks, like Pakistan or England one will find similar difference in performance. All these statistics are available at http://www.howstat.com/cricket/home.asp
All these numbers set aside, is not a pleasure to see Sachin punch one down the ground in the batsman's "V", than to see Jaysuriya lob it over covers with his legs placed awkardly?
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
The Cryogenics
India successfully launched its fourth GSLV (GSLV-F04) and fifth in total, last Sunday. Along with it, it deployed the next generation INSAT-4CR multi-role satellite, needed desperately for the communication systems, since the last GSLV launch was unsuccessful. The previous one crashed because one of the four strap on boosters on the rocket had malfunctioned seconds after it took off .
Even this launch was dramatic. The countdown halted 15 seconds to zero, since the onboard computer did not get the "clear" signal from the cryogenic stage. Manual intervention was required to rectify the problem. The GSLV-F04, is a three stage 49 m high rocket. The last stage is the cryogenic stage and this is what bothers me to write this blog.
Even for this launch we used the Russian supplied cryogenic engine. As per the official standing, India has successfully "hot tested" the "Cryogenic Upper Stage" on October 2006. It is scheduled for a live performance with the GSLV-D3 this year. But will we make it? I hope so.
The speed with which ISRO built and launched the F04, (in about 12-13 months time), indicates two things, that there is a strong political will to get along with the space programme (since nothing moves here, without the politicians' will) and there is definitely a repeatable and manged process in place, in our design, manufacture and implementation of rocket launches. Maybe ISRO should apply for a CMMI certification!
Another reason for the government's curiosity with building rockets is its missile defense programme. A healthy space programme of a nation, is always accompanied by a strong and powerful missile defense system . The critics of space and missile programme cried like in hell, when the GSLV and Agni III failed last year around July. I for one was absolutely certain, that the causes for the failures were isolated in both cases and more to with manufacturing defects. I was therefore not surprised, when the Agni III was launched successfully in April this year and now the GSLV.
Even this launch was dramatic. The countdown halted 15 seconds to zero, since the onboard computer did not get the "clear" signal from the cryogenic stage. Manual intervention was required to rectify the problem. The GSLV-F04, is a three stage 49 m high rocket. The last stage is the cryogenic stage and this is what bothers me to write this blog.
Even for this launch we used the Russian supplied cryogenic engine. As per the official standing, India has successfully "hot tested" the "Cryogenic Upper Stage" on October 2006. It is scheduled for a live performance with the GSLV-D3 this year. But will we make it? I hope so.
The speed with which ISRO built and launched the F04, (in about 12-13 months time), indicates two things, that there is a strong political will to get along with the space programme (since nothing moves here, without the politicians' will) and there is definitely a repeatable and manged process in place, in our design, manufacture and implementation of rocket launches. Maybe ISRO should apply for a CMMI certification!
Another reason for the government's curiosity with building rockets is its missile defense programme. A healthy space programme of a nation, is always accompanied by a strong and powerful missile defense system . The critics of space and missile programme cried like in hell, when the GSLV and Agni III failed last year around July. I for one was absolutely certain, that the causes for the failures were isolated in both cases and more to with manufacturing defects. I was therefore not surprised, when the Agni III was launched successfully in April this year and now the GSLV.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Values of Education
"OP Maashi" visited our house today. She is one of our most closest family friends. She was widowed a couple of years ago and from then on she mostly visits religious places across the country.
As she was talking to me, she gave me a bad news. She said that, when 'Mesho' (her husband), was admitted to the ICU, in the adjacent cell, the founder of my school, was admitted too. Our founder expired a little later after 'Mesho'. She was all in praise for the commitment of the founder's daughter (who is the principal of our school), and her two nieces, one of whom is a public figure in journalism, during the entire crisis period.
I remember her. She was very lady-like. We used to celebrate her birthday on the 20th of November, as "Founder's Day" in our school. We used to present her with cards and flowers, she always admired the cards which were made by ourselves.
She was one, who laid more stress on grooming personal values into the students, even more than academic education. I remember an incidence, when she scolded a student for not keeping eye contact, as he was giving the reason for not doing his homework. Her argument was, if you are speaking the truth, then you should not be fearful to tell it. If you are lying... then obviously you do not have the courage and thus avoiding eye contact.
I always thank god that I have good people around me, along with the bad ones. Be it in my school, colleges and even in my offices. I have worked with people, who have taught me to decide whether the action I am contemplating would be correct or wrong under the circumstances.
As she was talking to me, she gave me a bad news. She said that, when 'Mesho' (her husband), was admitted to the ICU, in the adjacent cell, the founder of my school, was admitted too. Our founder expired a little later after 'Mesho'. She was all in praise for the commitment of the founder's daughter (who is the principal of our school), and her two nieces, one of whom is a public figure in journalism, during the entire crisis period.
I remember her. She was very lady-like. We used to celebrate her birthday on the 20th of November, as "Founder's Day" in our school. We used to present her with cards and flowers, she always admired the cards which were made by ourselves.
She was one, who laid more stress on grooming personal values into the students, even more than academic education. I remember an incidence, when she scolded a student for not keeping eye contact, as he was giving the reason for not doing his homework. Her argument was, if you are speaking the truth, then you should not be fearful to tell it. If you are lying... then obviously you do not have the courage and thus avoiding eye contact.
I always thank god that I have good people around me, along with the bad ones. Be it in my school, colleges and even in my offices. I have worked with people, who have taught me to decide whether the action I am contemplating would be correct or wrong under the circumstances.
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