Carry On, But Remember

Menaka Gandhi has initiated a program to file sexual harassment complaint online. I applaud her. But those who investigate such cases must be very careful.

 

I want to share a real life story. The following anecdote is not a fiction.

 

Long time ago, in our company, there was a girl who was a first line manager. Her supervisor was a second line manager. One day, this girl, first line manager, filed a case within the company hierarchy alleging “sexual harassment” against her male second line manager.

 

The company wanted to avoid this case going to a public litigation because it will be bad for the company’s image and PR purpose. So the company decided to settle the case.

 

Mean time, the Second Level manager resigned his job. The first line manager, who complained, got an excellent cash compensation for her “suffering”. She also quit the company immediately.

 

They both got married a week later.

Mankading

Cricket is a religion in India. Everyone in India knows minute details about that game. I thought I also knew. But only last week I realized I am not that much expert on cricket. Why?

 

Indians are familiar with cricketing terms like boundary, sixer, beamer, googly, doosra, and even LBW. Oh, I forgot about the Silly Point. I don’t know if there is a smart point also. But have you heard of a term called “Mankading”. I have not. Now I know. Probably you are aware of that term.

 

This term is named after the famous Indian cricketer Vinoo Mankad. His 100th birthday is this month – April. He was one of the best Indian all-rounder. When anyone mentions Mankad in conversation, I immediately think of his world record first wicket partnership of 413 runs with Pankaj Roy against New Zealand in Madras (Chennai).

Mankading is the act of a bowler running out the batsman at the non-striker’s end as he is backing up rather than actually bowling the ball. According to cricket rules, it is legal and the bowler is permitted to so this. Even though it is allowed under cricket rules, it is considered an “unsportsman like conduct” if a bowler does that. As per cricket etiquette, the bowler is supposed to warn the batsman.

 

Vinoo Mankad used this tactic for the first time in cricket history during India’s tour of Australia in 1947. There was a lot of controversy about his action. Very few supported him. Don Bradman was one of them. So the term Mankading is named after Vinoo Mankad.

 

I personally support mankading. Otherwise, the non striker may stand half way down the pitch and score easily a tight single.

 

PS: To my US Readers. This is somewhat similar to “pick off” in baseball.

No Clue

Nolan Ryan, one of the greatest professional baseball players of all time, now retired, was in a ball park watching a baseball game. The gentleman who sat next to him did not notice Ryan. But he was wearing Nolan Ryan’s famous jersey number 34 with his name on it. Probably he was not even aware of who his seat mate was.

 

                                           (Courtesy: Yahoo.  Ryan on the right.)

 

This happens to me also all the time. People have no clue who I am.

 

Once I was watching a cricket match in the Wankhede Stadium.  Someone pointed out to me that the guy who was sitting next to me was Sachin Tendulkar. I turned around and said “hello”. He replied with a “hello”. I asked him “how about an autograph?”. He said “sure”. I then signed my name in a piece of paper and gave it to him.

 

PS: This is supposed to be a humorous post.