Self Confidence?

Dictionary describes “Self Confidence” as “a feeling of trust in one's abilities, qualities, and judgment”. 

NBA (National Basketball Association) of USA holds all-star game every year. 12 players from Eastern Conference teams and 12 players from Western Conference teams play an exhibition game. 

One of the side attractions is an individual 3-point shootout contest. 

Larry Bird was one of the great professional basketball players for the team Boston Celtics. In one year, before the 3-point shootout contest, he was curiously looking at all the other contestants. A reporter asked him what he is looking for. 

Larry replied: I am wondering who is going to come in second. 

Some people may think it was a trash talk. I feel it was an extreme self confidence 

Larry Bird came in first and won the 3-point shootout contest that year.

What is your opinion.  Is it self confidence or arrogance?

Babar Conquers India (again)

(The title for this blog post was suggested to me by my friend, Madhu Ramachandran.) 

India vs Pakistan = Pakistan won. Resounding loss for India. 

Run wise = It was kind of tight. India made 151 in 20 overs. Pakistan made 152 in 17.5 overs.

Wicket wise = It was one sided. India lost 7 wickets in 20 overs. Pakistan did not lose any wicket. In other words, India was unable to get even a single wicket. 

In fairness, India was kind of unlucky. To start with, they lost the coin toss and Pakistan chose to field first. Even though past performance is not a prediction for future, in Dubai, the team that opt to bowl first wins most of the time. Kohli was the only solid performer with 57 runs in 49 balls. 

India did not execute properly. They lost the first 3 wickets for only 31 runs. 

Pakistani bowlers were excellent. Pakistan went into the match as heavy underdogs. But they managed to beat India for the first time in a world cup match. Pakistani opening batsmen never allowed India to come back. They were more confident. Pakistanis will celebrate. And, remember this day for a very very long time. 

It is not the end of the world for India. This is just one game they lost. You lose a battle but you hope to win the war. But for tonight - All I had to say – to quote “Dandy” Don Meredith – Turn out the lights, the party is over.

PS: I was surprised Indian team took the knee in support of BLM (Black Lives Matter) movement!  The game was not played in USA,  The game was not against USA,  I would have appreciated if they took the knee in support of Dalits in India.

David Jude Johnson

David Jude Johnson was India’s fastest bowler. Perhaps the fastest bowler in the world. Have you heard of his name? I am afraid not. He clicked 150 plus on several occasions. He holds the record of 156.9 km/hour. He played for India only in 2 tests. Then he was dropped for no fault of him. 

Johnson played his first test for India against Australia in 1996. His second and last test for India against South Africa, also in 1996. 

At domestic level, Johnson played 28 matches at first class level and took 95 wickets. He even scored a century with his bat once. 

He was born in Karnataka. When he took 8 wickets in a game in Bangalore, he was inducted into the Swastic Union Cricket Club. He became a Karnataka Ranji Trophy player. Johnson bowled against such stalwarts like Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, and Saurav Ganguly.

Johnson was called to play for India. But the selectors preferred Venkatesh Prasad and Javagal Srinath. At one time there were 7 Karnataka players in the Indian team. He became the unlucky person. 

There is always a rumor that Indian cricket always favor players from a certain community. Johnson being an Anglo Indian was not looked upon favorably. This is purely my personal opinion. 

He is now the under-16 coach for the South Zone. 

India did not use this fast bowler to its advantage. 

Source: Sportskeeda – Rahul Kargal – David Johnson: A tale of possibilities and harsh realities.

Thalaivi (Tamil Movie)

Saw the Tamil movie Thalaivi. This is a biopic about Jayalalithaa. This is not a review. Here are my thoughts after watching that movie. 

Kangana Ranaut playing the role of Jayalalithaa. In beauty, poise, and personality, she is no comparison to the original. If Jayalalithaa is a 10 Kangana Ranaut is a 2. Can’t they find any Tamil actress to play this role? 

Aravind Swamy as MJR (MGR). If MGR is a 10 Aravind Swamy is a 4. He looks like many people who come on TV as a “MGR look alike” and entertain the audience. 

The only good acting I saw was when Kangana Ranaut goes to a dilapidated school and cleans it. 

They show RNV as a villain. May be the Director thought every movie should have a hero, heroine, and a villain. So he chose RNV for a villain part. Thank God the Director did not make Karunanidhi as a comedian. As per Film News Anandan “R.M. Veerappan had an antipathy towards Jayalalithaa that had no basis at all.” 

There are many factual errors. Here are a few. 

The film shows Jayalalitha is trying to flirt with MJR and become his lover. Again, as per Film News Anandan “She was definitely not flirtatious or pushy in her behavior towards MGR or any producer.” The rumor goes that MGR kept Jayalalitha under his control all the time. 

Chief Minister Annadurai did not die of old age. He died at the age of 59 due to oral cancer.

Karunanidhi was not the Deputy Chief Minister at that time. He was elected as the Chief Minister in the last minute with the support of MGR. Nedunchezhian, the senior most leader in the party, was the prohibitive favorite to be become the Chief Minister. He was upset by Karunanidhi.

The Director introduces Sasikala as a videographer. She was never a videographer. She had a small store renting Tamil movie CDs. She used to go to Jayalalitha’s home to deliver the rentals. 

The movie shows the Madras/Delhi/Madras flights as Air India planes. Indian domestic flights (when Jayalalitha was Rajya Sabha Member) were operated by Indian Airlines and not by Air India. In 2007, the Indian Government announced the merger of these 2 airlines and completed the merger in 2011. 

As for as this movie is concerned, it is very difficult to believe this is a biopic about Jayalalitha. We can enjoy this movie if we forget this is a biopic. In order to make it good, they conveniently did not show any of her faults and arrogance. 

Not impressed with this movie.  In  order to be politically correct, Kangana Ranaut may win some national awards for portraying Jayalalitha.

Passport Problem (update)

In general, there is this six-month rule. 

However, It gets confusing. Each country has exceptions for certain countries. 

For example: 

An American passport holder – To enter United Kingdom - Passport Requirement: Must be valid for the duration of your stay and must have at least one blank page. 

But 

An Australian passport holder – To enter United Kingdom - Passport Requirement: Must be valid for at least six months. 

Therefore, please check (when you are making travel plans) with the airline and also with the Embassy/Consulate/High Commission of any country you may be wishing to travel.

Passport Problem

I just found out that no country will let you in (except your own) on a passport set to expire within six months of the date of arrival. So, international travelers, make sure your passport has a validity of more than six months when you are planning a foreign trip. 

My personal opinion is this is a ridiculous rule. A passport is supposed to be valid until the date of expiry. Why not I visit a country for 3 days if my passport is valid for another 5 months only? 

But again, rule is rule (however ridiculous it may be). 

You cannot fight the City Hall. (City Hall is a slang for government in general in North America)

Update:

There are some exceptions.  Will write about it in my next post.

Indian Ingenuity

A restaurant in Bangalore has come out with a “modern” idli. Instead of making it in a round shape in an idli steam plate, they made it on a stick with sambar and chutney as a dip.

Lot of people are for the new innovation and lot of people are against it. 

FOR: 

Very hygienic. Do not have to wash hands. Can save water. 

Does not matter what shape it is. When we eat, we always cut it into small pieces and eat it.

When there is a change, there will always be opposition. 

It is fine. But there should be a new name for it, like Kuchi Idli (Stick Idli). 

Lot of people will be employed in the idli stick making industry. 

AGAINST: 

In the name of bringing new ideas, we have already destroyed lot of traditional taste of many dishes. 

We are not innovative in any other category except food. 

Next, they will make medhu vada without the center hole. Also, they will make drumstick payasam. 

Idli should be round shaped only and cannot accept any other shape. 

To make the stick, lot of trees will be destroyed. 

Cannot beat that special feeling when we take a portion of the idli, dump it in sambar, put it in the mouth and then lick the fingers. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What is your opinion on this issue? Please comment. Thanks.