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.