Echoes of Innovation: Remembering Mr. Bijon Nag's Visionary Legacy

Summer of '96: First Encounters with a Visionary

In the warm embrace of the summer of 1996, I had the serendipitous pleasure of crossing paths with Mr. Bijon Nag, a figure whose presence was as commanding as his contributions were pioneering. Nestled within the verdant suburbs of Khar in Mumbai, we both found ourselves residing in the company guest house - a choice that spoke volumes about Mr. Nag's character. Despite the allure of luxury that a five-star hotel could offer, he opted for the comparitively modest accommodations of our guest house (fully furnished AC Guest house with 24*7 caretakers on linking road Bandra) . It wasn't just a place to stay; it became a melting pot of interactions, a hub where employees from diverse backgrounds converged during their transit visits. And there I was, an extended resident for nearly half a year, which gifted me the opportunity to engage with Mr. Nag more frequently than most.

Our encounters often unfolded in the cozy living room (usually with other visiting staff), following a hearty Bengali dinner with other colleagues that always included his beloved 'Macher Jhol'. In these moments, enveloped by the comfort of good food and the company, Mr. Nag would share stories in his deep, sonorous voice -stories that lingered in the air long after the night had deepened.

Mr. Nag was not just a storyteller; he was a visionary who brought precision engineering to India. His sojourn in Germany in the early seventies was not just a visit but a voyage of discovery that led to the introduction of fine blanking technologies back home. His ventures didn't stop there; he foresaw a future where convenience and luxury meshed seamlessly in Indian households. This vision materialized in the form of India's first fully automatic front-loading washing machines, produced in collaboration with Bosch. This premium innovation leapfrogged over the existing semi-automatic models, capturing the market's imagination and earning its top spot, much to the delight of us in the marketing department. The word of mouth alone catapulted our product to unparalleled success.

Revolutionizing Indian Kitchens: The Microwave Odyssey

But Mr. Nag's ambition was boundless. He aimed to capture the 'share of the kitchen wallet,' an endeavor that saw the introduction of microwave ovens into the Indian market - a market still nascent and ripe for revolution. Tasked with introducing this groundbreaking technology to the bustling, upwardly mobile crowds of Mumbai, I found myself at the forefront of change. The task was daunting; we had to shift perceptions, proving that the microwave was more than just a reheating gadget - it was a culinary marvel capable of cooking full-fledged meals.

Imagine the scene - me, a novice in the art of cookery, thrust into the limelight, conducting live demonstrations from the storied halls of Akbarallys in the south to the bustling outlets of Vijay Sales in the North. The journey was dotted with memorable interactions, including a chance meeting with the iconic film actress Helen in Bandra, as I endeavored to debunk myths and showcase the microwave's versatility.

Beyond Cooking: Educating and Inspiring a New Culinary Era

The challenge of finding a cookery expert in Mumbai turned into an unexpected opportunity for me. Drawing upon my experience working with Mrs. Ujwala Mandgi in Bangalore, where we had prepared a cookbook as part of our pre-market launch activities, I found myself donning the chef's hat. There I was, in the guest house kitchen, demonstrating the wonders of microwave cooking - from fluffy upma to sumptuous gobi aloo sabzi and even cakes - each dish a testament to the appliance's potential.

Our marketing efforts were not just about selling a product; they were about educating, engaging, and inspiring our customers to explore new culinary possibilities. The company's foresight extended beyond microwaves; soon, clothes dryers were introduced, leading me to the pleasant hills of Coonoor for field tests with the Uthup (famous singer) family, amidst the chilly embrace of the Nilgiri hills. Dishwashers followed, marking yet another innovative leap in our journey.

Behind all these groundbreaking ventures was Mr. Bijon Nag - a visionary whose legacy transcends the products he introduced. His passion, foresight, and relentless pursuit of innovation have left an indelible mark on both the industry and the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing him. Rest in peace, Mr. Nag, your vision continues to inspire and resonate within the halls of innovation and beyond.

Kapil Dev: The Forgotten Hero of Indian Cricket in World Cup 23

In the world of cricket, legends are born, records are shattered, and memories are etched in the hearts of fans. But what happens when the glitter and glamour of showbiz and politics overshadow the true heroes of the game? Well, it seems like we got a taste of just that during the World Cup 23' as Kapil Dev, the man who led India to its first-ever World Cup victory in 1983, was conspicuously absent from the VIP box. Instead, it was a star-studded affair, with film stars showing off their antics and politicians occupying prime seats.

As the World Cup unfolded, it felt like a Bollywood awards show meets a political rally, with the VIP box resembling a chaotic circus. The likes of Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, and Ranveer Singh (the reel hero who represented him on screen) were seen waving, blowing kisses, and even attempting a few signature dance moves. Meanwhile, politicians jostled for the spotlight and basked in the occassional limelight projected on screen boards. The whole spectacle made us wonder if we were at a cricket match or a Bollywood extravaganza!

Amidst all the glitz, lights, and glamour, it was easy to forget the real heroes of Indian cricket – Kapil Dev and Mohinder Amarnath, the captain and vice-captain of the 1983 World Cup-winning team. They were the Jai and Veeru of Indian cricket, the dynamic duo who etched their names in history, but sadly, they seemed to be forgotten in the midst of all the hullabaloo.

The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has certainly embraced change when it comes to cricket stadiums. In their quest to make the game more entertaining and engaging for the masses, they've introduced cheerleaders, light shows, dance performances, and even DJs spinning tracks during breaks. While these changes have added a new layer of entertainment to the cricketing experience, one can't help but wonder if they've overshadowed the substantive part of the game.

Cricket is a sport that has always been known for its rich traditions and history. The sound of leather hitting willow, the tension in the air during a close run chase, and the roar of the crowd when a wicket falls – these are the moments that make cricket special. While cheerleaders and light shows are fun, they should complement, not overshadow, the core essence of the game.

The 'Jai Ho' chants and the dazzling display ironically reminded me of the 'Jay' who is running the show in BCCI now, not the Jai's of yore. Cricket is not just about the here and now, it's about respecting the past, celebrating the present, and nurturing the future. Kapil Dev and his teammates wrote a glorious chapter in Indian cricket history in 1983, and their legacy should always be acknowledged and honored.

So, as we continue to embrace change and modernize cricket stadiums, let's not forget the legends who laid the foundation for the game we love. Let's celebrate the Kapil-Mohinder era while enjoying the Bollywood-style entertainment. After all, in the world of cricket, it's the perfect blend of tradition and innovation that truly makes the sport a timeless classic.

Nana Patekar's Viral Video: The Price of Stardom and the Selfie Hunters' Circus

Greetings, fellow internet wanderers, and welcome back to our hilarious corner of the web! Today, we're diving headfirst into the whirlwind of chaos that surrounded the recent "Nana Patekar viral video" incident. You know, the one where our beloved star, Nana Patekar, had to defend himself against an unexpected intruder in the form of an over-enthusiastic fan. Strap in, folks, because this is one wild rollercoaster ride through the world of celebrity fandom!


It's no secret that our Indian celebrities have to pay a hefty price for their stardom – the constant nagging of fans and the relentless pursuit of the paparazzi. But this time, the price Nana Patekar had to pay came with a viral twist! The video was enough to send social media into a frenzy, with everyone and their aunties chiming in. Many slammed him for his "inappropriate behavior," but let's not jump the gun here, folks.


No one seemed to notice the little leech-on-a-celeb, aka the kid who decided to latch onto Nana Patekar without so much as a by-your-leave. Just because a star is in a public place, apparently, it's enough for selfie hunters to throw proper decorum and politeness out of the window and pounce on them. And of course, the star is supposed to oblige because, well, they are our entertainment providers, right?


When Nana Patekar finally slapped the boy, it was as if a bomb went off on social media. But guess what? Nobody bothered to question the boy's inappropriate behavior. I mean, come on, people! Who wants a random child hanging onto them like a backpack without consent? That's not a bonding experience; it's a restraining order waiting to happen!


Nana's subsequent statement did little to help his cause. But let's be honest, when you're bombarded by the paparazzi, and fans are climbing all over you like you're a human jungle gym, I doubt even Mother Teresa would maintain her composure!


The Indian public often raises their stars to dizzying heights, only to turn around and bay for their blood, holding them to the highest standards of accountability. They seem to forget that these stars are "one of us," common people who happen to be good at pretending to be someone else on screen. They can be just themselves and get annoyed by the silly things around – like random kids clinging onto them like they're a lifebuoy in the middle of a storm.


Social media, especially X (you know the one), was flooded with multiple tweets that all seemed to emphasize one thing: everyone wants a slice of the tamasha because it's free entertainment. It's like we've resurrected the Roman Coliseum, and the star is the gladiator while everyone else in the stands is baying for some celebrity blood. "Are you not entertained?!" they seem to shout while refreshing their Twitter feeds.

In conclusion, folks, let's cut our stars some slack. They may be famous, but they're still human beings who deserve their personal space and sanity. The next time you spot a celebrity in the wild, remember, they're not there for your amusement; they're just trying to buy some groceries or enjoy a meal in peace. And if you see a kid latching onto them, maybe consider helping the poor star out instead of snapping a viral video! After all, we're all in this circus of life together, aren't we?

Tiger woods what a Comeback

Tiger Woods winning the Golf masters in 2019 is probably at the top of the greatest sporting come back in history. Why?

1. He came back to win a world title after more than 10 years! This is unprecedented for a 43 year old sportsman in any form of the game. Tiger woods had last won a major golf title (US open) in 2008
2. He went through a series of mishaps and unfortunate personal events that could have shattered the will & resolve of any person. But it didnt, sample this; after winning the US open in 2008 he went through a highly publicized extra marital affairs with several women, suffered a divorce in 2010, arrested for DUI i.e., driving under the influence of intoxicants, crippling health issues which made him undergo several surgeries
3. Just 2 years before this golf crown, Tiger woods was not even able to hit a 60 yard shot. He underwent a spinal fusion surgery which meant his spine went through a welding process. He couldn't barely walk, sit, lay down or do anything physical.

And that's when everyone wrote him off before the Master's 2019

Shraddanjali

English Vinglish and all that Jazz

Let’s face it, English is the gateway to a better future and one can ignore it at his or her own peril. Whether one likes it or not, it is the dominant global language of trade commerce & industry and international politics, It is often termed as a window to the rapid progress of technology and scientific knowledge in a constantly evolving world.

Thomas Macaulay did a big favor to Indians when he articulated the British policy of educating the colonial people in western thought and ideals. It was meant to serve their purpose but it ended up doing a greater good for us. He famously said "We must do our best to form a class who may be interpreters between us and the millions whom we govern, a class of persons Indian in blood and colour, but English in taste, in opinions, words and intellect."

Indians like Raja Rao Mohan Roy, Sarojini Naidu, Mulk Raj Anand gave a distinct Indian flavor to the Anglican literature for Indian consumption. The Anglo Indians and convent school teachers took this great legacy forward and one such person was Mrs.Hilda Edwards who passed away today. In essence this article is a tribute to her, for it was in her fine teaching that we learnt the nuances of the language and its transformative influence on our lives.


In an age where the luster of International schools, with their grandiose names and dazzling displays, seems to outshine all, the quiet, steadfast glow of educators like Mrs. Edwards reminds us of the true essence of learning. Clad in her traditional saree and behind large spectacles, Mrs. Edwards embodied the spirit of education, her lessons a testament to the profound impact of nurturing guidance over mere academic instruction.

Traditionally attired in a Saree and large spectacles, Mrs.Edwards would punctually troop into the class with a text book clutched by the chest. She would quickly get down to lessons in a soft demeanor. She was patient in our fumbling attempts to get Wren & Martin right, many of her English lessons were interjected with questions on prepositions, conjunctions and so on. When errant boys misbehaved or created some ruckus in the class, her reaction would be to stop the class session and direct a silence laced with a dead pan expression towards the culprit. It was enough to convey the message without a harsh word or a caning. She encouraged us to ask questions and drew engagement on the subject.


She taught us English grammar the traditional way i.e., deductively which is presenting a rule followed by example drills (from general to particular). The pedagogical rules and methods have changed from passive to explorative learning now, but in the mid 80s that was the best way to get attention and engagement from the class and Mrs.Edwards exemplified it.


In remembering Mrs. Edwards, we not only pay homage to a teacher but to a beacon of light that shone on the path of countless students, guiding them through the maze of conjunctions, prepositions, and the broader complexities of life itself. Sri Rajagopalachari once remarked that English was India's great boon from Goddess Saraswati. In the legacy of Mrs. Hilda Edwards, we see the embodiment of that blessing, a gentle force propelling us towards enlightenment and understanding.

Rest in peace, dear teacher. Your lessons transcend the confines of the classroom, echoing through the lives you've touched and the futures you've shaped.

100 years and still elementary Mr.Einstein!

In my earlier post i wrote how Albert Einstein made for a great humanist and social thinker. His biggest contribution was however reserved for science - but how many realize that he changed science itself by redrawing the basic understanding of the universe?

Most of the scientific findings in human history have been like sedimentary deposits on the rising plinth of human discovery and understanding. But one man’s findings were so extra ordinary and fundamentally different that the entire scientific edifice had to be remolded to his findings. 100 years to date.

Armed with just 10 equations he redefined gravity in terms of how it bent space and time in unimaginable ways (if you want to see how Gravity can play havoc with Time and Space watch the latest Hollywood flick Interstellar). In comparison Issac Newton and Charles Darwin appeared child’s play in the complexities he solved involving multiple variables seemingly contradicting each other.

His theory puts everything in perspective - right from the structure of the universe to its beginning as the mother of all explosions (Big Bang)

Humanity took one huge leap with his equations setting in motion a fundamental thought– what exactly happened a few seconds after the universe was born and its corollary - what will happen in its final dying moments. 

This infographic traces the uncharacteristic journey of this remarkable man for most of his formative years

 
My tribute once again to the man who primarily changed my perception (& countless million others) and enriching humanity‘s progress - which by all yardsticks is a spec in the vast expanse of the universe’s timelines.

Brian Greene of Columbia Unversity illustrates the genius of the man in applying abstract mathematics to the workings of the Universe below

azimuth event: Malala Yousufzai

 
if you may have noticed, two of the world’s most inspiring global leaders converged in December this time, in two entirely different ways. One in passing away and the emergence of the other.

I am referring to the first death anniversary of Nelson Mandela (Dec 5,2014) and the Nobel Prize investiture ceremony to Malala Yousufzai (Dec 10,2014).

An azimuth event of a world in transition with one star in horizon and the other in Zenith!

The common stirring plot in their stories is the fight of one person against enslavement, though of entirely different types.

Malala Yousufzai to my mind is the most important global leader today. If our future holds any promise it is because of young leaders like her. She stands for a timeless yet primordial cause, that which is the fountainhead of the most ills plaguing our world today i.e., "Educating the girl child".

For someone so young, growing up in a challenging environment in Pakistan, to stand up to hardcore fanatics for a diametrically opposite belief and to face the gun without fear to my mind is a exemplar of the stirring fight of humanity towards progress .

As her voice boomed through the Stockholm Concert Hall, one just couldn’t help admire her clarity of cause 

I am reminded of what the great Swami Vivekanand said in this regard 

"if the women are raised ,then their children will, by their noble action, glorify the name of the country. Then will culture, knowledge, power and devotion awaken in the land"

'....they (women) will solve their own problems. Educate your women first and leave them to themselves, then they will tell you what reforms are necessary for them"
 

The greatness of Sachin Tendulkar beyond statistics

Unfortunately Peter Roebuck is not around to write a fitting tribute to a great chapter in India's cricketing history. His writings had a unique perspective on the game, he wrote with elan and cared a damn about the etiquette or the organized rigors of newspaper column writing.

While numbers do tell a story of Sachin’s greatness in the game of cricket, a lot more came packaged with it and mostly hidden to the untrained eye. Anybody who has played Cricket at a competitive level knows what it takes to be a good player. Having played in the college team and a rather unsuccessful attempt at the University level , I can write a thing or two about it.

In my previous article on Sachin i wrote about his duel with Wasim Akram, the mastercraft bowler, and the ‘transaction’ that would unfold between them in the blink of eye. Only that it would resume ball after ball , over and over again. This is something available now in the form of statistics i.e, number of balls played, number of runs scored, number of boundaries, average and so on.

What this does not reveal however is the effort a master bowler - absolute craftsman in his art, tried to cut him short in those many attempts. Anybody who has seen Akram getting 3 crucial wickets especially that of Lamb & Lewis in the final of the world cup in 1992 will testify. I mean what it takes a bowler to do at the highest level and at the most crucial of times to win you the world cup. 

  
I am sure Akram would have put in much more than his usual effort when he was bowling at Tendulkar. His variations were too many ; the in-swinging and out going balls, the dipper, the snorter, the length balls and the ones that swung in late were all in his armory. He presented all these at a very lively pace which translates into a potent combination. He was the most lethal bowler of his era and made bunnies of several international batsmen. He had cheeka (Kris Srikkanth) practically for lunch breakfast & dinner during India’s tour to Pakistan in 1989

Sachin’s true greatness can be measured against this backdrop and how he got the better of Akram in this duel. This young man walked into a cauldron of human emotions bearing the expectation of millions of crazy fans and the weight of the entire team. Something like the gladiator walking into the Colosseum with people baying for his blood.

75000 plus spectators rooting for you at every turn, the weight of their expectations getting released with a roar in every boundary scored. On the other end the canny bowler much like the predator is measuring up with every trick in the trade and going for the kill. So much emotions and weighed by so much expectations. Plus the pressure of run rate and the target on hand.

Betraying his emotions and holding his nerve, he took to his crease with amazing grace & poise. He judged and dealt every ball and its cunning package. The length of the pitching ball, its trajectory, its pace, its swing……. all done and dusted in three-fourths of a second (the time lapse between the ball released from the bowlers hand and its moment of reaching the batsman's crease).

Ball after ball, over by over. Against the best in the game and at the highest level. Every ball was probably hurled at him with that extra effort. The opposition knew that he was the lynchpin and getting him out meant winning a psychological battle against the whole Indian team. In a India-Pakistan match this would reach hysterical levels.

Like in any competitive game, Cricket too embodies the battle of one-upmanship in a war of talents. There is a victor and the vanquished. Even in a contest between teams, there is always this undercurrent of rivalry between two players. Therefore this duel between Akram & Sachin embodied the pinnacle of two warring talents at its best

In summary it takes more than sheer talent to make a heap at the highest level. Ultimately numbers do speak for themselves , and that’s why statisticians are always a part of the game. But do they tell the complete tale? Analysts might make up a good story with numbers, but its only a tip of the iceberg.

Romney : a good run for Obama’s money

So Mitt Romney comes to the fore. The two presidential debates have gone a round each, Obama pulling it back in the New York round. Unlike Obama, Romney did not appear relaxed here, seemed too eager to pull the punches on his opponent. He came across as someone trying too hard to woo the middle class Americans. He may be right if anti incumbency, something which makes Indian voters frequently exercise, happens in America too . As a shrewd politician he probably hinges his bet on the frustration & pent up anger of the vast majority of Americans who are reeling under high unemployment rates coupled with rising cost of living.

The debate was intense in parts, akin to two heavyweights going at each other. While Romney kept on charging like Joe Fraser, Obama was nimble footed and dodged like a Butterfly a la Ali. The round went to Obama in as much as Romney’s failure in convincing the audience on 3 counts

1. Tackling the Energy issue
2. Balancing the Budget
3. Countering China

Romney kept on harping on utilizing unused Federal lands for Oil prospecting & laying some Pipline across Canada. Obama on the other hand conveyed a longer mature vision on energy security with emphasis on new energy sources coupled with efficiencies in consumption. On the second issue Romney was all over the place with his numbers & as the moderator summed it up ‘ the math did not add up’ in his case. On China Romney was belligerent & blamed china for manipulating the currency and gaining unfair trade advantage (which is true) but Obama handled this issue tactfully while Romney came across as someone too eager to go at China’s throat.

All in all there seems to be a interesting battle on hand this time around . Romney may not have the polish & oratory skills of Obama but he is certainly up there in terms of connecting with his audience. And unlike earlier presidential challengers Romney does not appear too stony, aloof & caricature like (John Kerry) nor dull and staid ( like McCain). He seems to connect with the audience, his persona seems right from a Hollywood stable like Independence day which in the end may be that little extra to push him across the finish line. .

The Untouchables

Early last week I met one of the men behind the explosive report of the Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde  on the illegal mining in the state. I was waiting at the Secretariat complex to meet the e-governance head at his office when Vipin Singh ambled by. When I congratulated him, he replied in his characteristic style ‘ Kaahe ka congartulations yaar, itna kharab report niklaa hai’.  Maybe the final report was not satisfactory by his standard but in a short span of time he and his team had uncovered  a large web of illegal activities and their modus operandi  that had robbed the state to the  tune of 13000 odd crores of rupees. What he meant was had they enough time on hand they could have dug deeper like the huge mine  pits that now dot  the landscape  of bellary and the extent of uncovered  loot could have doubled.  But the Ammo on hand was enough for Justice Hegde & he had to fire it before taking the final bow as the Lokayukta.

I had extensively interacted with this career IFS officer during a project execution with the forest dept. At that time he was in Bidar and his territory  was one of the 4 pilot divisions selected for the project. His name then had cropped up several times during my meeting with the Sr officials & I had quickly gathered his  reputation as a sharp no-nonsense IT savvy official in the  dept.  An alumnus of IIT , he had done some excellent work in the e-govenance areas while on deputation, notably setting up the citizen service initiatives like  the BangaloreOne delivery centres.  When I first met him,  I wondered what a guy like him was doing in a far flung place like Bidar ? In his characteristic nonchalant way he replied that it was a conscious decision and he wanted it that way . Maybe  he had opted  to be ‘far from the madding crowd’  after a heavy duty assignment that  had him in the quagmire of  politics ,  and murky administration . ‘Khoon Jalana padta hai’  I recollect he had said about the nature of work. Our interactions over the next couple of days was intensive & meaningful and then I was back in Bangalore. 

Soon  I heard that he was once again recalled to Bangalore to head the state SWAN (state wide area network) initiative. I chuckled at the thought  that hard as wanted to be out of the limelight  it dragged him into it.  Later several times I had passed by his new  office but found it conspicuous by his absence . Strange I felt till the time I saw this recent article in ToI 

It now  emerges that he was one of the 5 people picked by Justice Hegde  to  have a go at the mafia. Exactly the way  Kevin Costner (Eliot Ness) goes about  in the movie ‘the Untouchables’  - a special team of agents handpicked for their courage and incorruptibility, nicknamed by its title. 

And undercover they went about their new assignment while they held to usual official positions on paper . Another official, Bishwajeet Mishra who was a part of this team , and whom I had interacted on few occasions even attended one of my workshop in his official capacity of a DFO . He probed me with some searching questions during the workshop & little did I realize then that he was into something else. 

These officials worked discreetly , put their lives & limbs on the line of fire (and as Justice Hegde mentioned in an interview on NDTV the other day – he even feared for their careers) and away  from the glare & glimmer of limelight.  Unlike Hegde they have not walked into sunset,  they will still be around (for greater things perhaps) but their collective  reputation like the ‘ The Untouchables’  will hopefully be remembered for time to come. 

Predator on the prowl

This year RCB has been propelled by sheer Gayle power. In many a matches of IPL that featured RCB pitch report has been inconsequential, what has mattered is the weather report which many a time has warned about the impending Gayle storm. And struck it has with brute force like in yesterday’s match (against MI) where  the opposition was numbed by the onslaught. 

Yesterday my friend Shaz made a prediction based on numbers (termed  Numbo-Jumbo) that said ‘Prepare for the Gayle-storm on Friday the 27th, a D9C9. His name number adds up to 27, and his tee reads 333'.

By the 5^th over the result had been scripted and as one of the commentators mentioned ‘it was already showing on the body language of the Mumbai Indians’.

Watch this guy closely, when he walks on to the crease along with his partner the difference in physical attributes is not the only thing striking. His imposing frame apart, with the helmet on and his beaded hair streaming out at its sides I cant help but imagine of the Predator in the 1987 flick. In the movie the creature (that looks a bit like horseshoe crab) has a mask on with hair like appendages struck to its skull. This creature is supposed to be ‘a  member of a warrior race which hunts aggressive members of other species for sport’. 

Exactly  what appears to be happening with Gayle vs others in this edition of IPL.

Remembering 'Uncle Pai'

Uncle Pai had passed away a month back. I got to know of it when a small postcard invite fell on my doorstep from his  hometown of Mangalore to attend the 12 day ceremony. Another Uncle Pai (of Amar Chitra Katha fame) also passed away almost in the same period. To me these two Uncle Pai’s had something in common; they left a legacy - a body of  work with a lasting imprint on the minds of the elderly & children respectively. 

The Uncle Pai (Kulyadi Madhav Pai) I am referring to is related from Wifi side and I regret I couldn’t attend his last rites due to some commitments.  But the time I spent with him & his memories will be cherished. With a small note he religiously book posted whenever the  newer editions of ‘Kaggokti Sampada’ hit the stands. The Book and its series were an illuminating body of work on decoding one of  the great literary works in Kannada literature by D.V.Gundappa (or DVG as he is popularly referred as) 

DVG was a literary colossus & his Mankuthimmana Kagga is considered a Nobel prize winning material, if it had been written in English. This was followed by  Marula Muniyana Kagga which Uncle Pai had translated . The beauty of this work ( and there lay in it its greatness he used to say)  is that- it makes the reader see himself through the poems, to interpret the thoughts of the poet in his own way. 

Kagga is a beautiful and profound collection of 945 poems. Each poem is of four lines. Some of the poems are in old Kannada style (Halegannada). Kagga poems are profound, and poetic and like a bee attracted to the flower Uncle Pai was drawn into it. 

An instance (roughly translated to English):

Life is a Horse driven cart, Fate its driver
You're the horse, Passengers - as allotted by God
Sometimes rides to a marriage, sometimes to a graveyard
When stumbled, there's always the earth - says Manku Thimma

In  his book preface Uncle Pai  writes ‘DVG’s Marula Muniyana Kagga’s   beautiful play of words with profound meaning of life  urged me to interpret in a layman’s language. It was a long journey though, it started when I by-hearted a few kaggas; the meaning of which took some to sink in. I later took some more & the experience was overwhelming. Based on my initial experiences I began to write but was not happy with the outcome.   So I discarded the effort and waited for the next couple of years to truly imbibe the work for an accurate representation’

 

Finally egged on by friends & encouraged by the “Samyukta Karnataka” newspaper he began compiling the works which went into 7 volumes by the time of his death.

R.I.P Uncle Pai

The bad lands of Hindukush and the Indian woman CFO.

The retail asset hub of CBoP in Andheri used to be a beehive of activity during 2007. Amidst the crowd and clamour Shweta Singh glided through her work almost effortlessly. The lady had an unusually broad face , a heavy build type that complimented it and usually accompanied by a serious demeanour that I felt was necessary for her job profile in the office. You cannot expect credit managers in Banks to be of the jovial friendly type, usually they come across with a ‘do-not-mess-with-me’ air hanging around them. Most of the time they are hounded by Sales guys to get their files passed and then pilloried by collections for asset book quality. Its a classic ‘middle of the chain’ job profile that gets grinded from both sides.

So when this lady announced on LinkedIn that she was taking up a banking job offer in Afghanistan I wondered whether things had gotten really that worse for a credit manager in India! While congratulating on her new role as ‘Chief finance officer’ of an Afghan Bank the curious’ier in me again got hold ‘You are a brave heart i must say...but Afghanistan of all places?’ I blurted. To which her typical gumption filled reply was

“I got married & my Husband was shifted to Kabul as he works for a company which is NATO allied. So I have to shift there...actually there are a lot of Indian's out here but they avoid keeping their families. But actually living in Kabul is not that dangerous as it may seem on TV. I feel pressure of being in Islamic country rather then Talibani's.”

She went to add “I am the first female to be approved by the central bank of afghanistan (RBI for this country), that's an achievement by it self. Its realy good to get such mails from old colleagues. Thanxs a lot & take care”

I really felt happy for her but something just dint seem right somewhere . And now, a couple of months later I read that ‘Kabul Bank’ the largest of Afghanistan’s 10 private bank is tethering on the verge of failure. The bank’s chairman & CEO - its 2 biggest shareholders have siphoned of millions of dollars in sometimes-clandestine loans to themselves and afghan govt insiders. The Bank also is alleged to have used one of afghanistan’s traditional money transfer outfit (hawala types) to move hundreds of millions of dollars out of the country to avoid detection.

Imagine the plight of a ‘chief finance officer’ in such a Bank. I am certainly hoping that she not only watches her back on the streets but also on her new job.

Tendlya: a 20 gun salute

Several thousand laurels & million accolades must have already been attributed to the little maestro (Sachin Tendulkar) by now, yet I am tempted to give my version. Particularly so since I belonged to a generation which had the good fortune of watching modern cricket (post Kerry packer) on TV as early as 1984-85 and being on a vantage point to witness what I describe as two different generation of cricketers. And Sachin in my opinion was the defining epoch like AD (Anno Domini as used in the Julian and Gregorian calendars) in the Indian cricketing History because he changed the way Indians approached the game .

Going back to the period (1985- 89) India had the likes of K Srikanth and Kapil Dev who made us watch the game in excitement. They were very effervescent cricketing talent who either fired like a Kalashnikov or went quickly like a dud diwali cracker. Krish Srikant, I remember in the Champions Trophy in Australia (1985) and the Sharjah matches thereafter; would go on a leather hunt like some drunken hunter going bonkers in the forest. He would have us on the edge of the seat as he lived similarly at the crease. He had the aggression , maybe some technique but surely no temperament to stay at the crease. Kapil would bring a similar excitement whenever he came to bat lower down the order. The power he generated from his shots and the disdain with which he treated all length balls was a treat to watch. But again, to see him fire was not frequent enough. Like a runaway Jat-train he had the tendency to derail (throw away his wicket to rash shots- best exemplified by his semifinal world cup innings against England in Mumbai in 1989). Nonetheless, these two superb players made us love the game for this kind of aggression they brought to the game.

Watching Tendulkar, 1989 and thereafter brought this kind of excitement. The difference was that here was a player packaged beautifully in all the 3 compartments of the game; Aggression, Temperament & Technique that was somewhat missing in the earlier era. He would slaughter the bowlers but with a watertight technique of footwork, balance and timing he always assured us of being on top of his opponent. There was excitement but no fear of losing him the battle with the bowler. Maybe the mountain of runs he accumulated is testament to that. In the process he ushered in a kind of confidence and measured aggression in the Indian team that I felt was missing before him.

 
I found the duel between Akram & Sachin in Sharjah particularly interesting. The beauty of their contest was the ‘natural flow’ with which these two greats played the game on either sides of the crease. A fired up Akram would steam-in and bowl in a smooth free flowing rollover action. He had the pace, swing and the guile in his deliveries that would send shivers in any batsman. But in an equally free flowing action, Sachin would very often pack his balls to the boundary in style. All the equations settled and squared off within 3/4ths of a second, the viewer would only react to the aftermath. This to me was cricket symphony of the highest order that only a maestro could produce. Take a bow Sachin.