Rover6064

That’s what I have been doing over the week…Running in (Basically, the act of driving you bike slow, so as to not increase the engine rpm…) the bike. Need to do for a new engine component for about 700-800 km.
Did 600 km over the weekend at a speed of 50kmph. It might seem an ok speed for city driving, but when you hit the highway, it seems as if a snail could go faster….

I had to get over with the phase as soon as possible…With the speeds being so slow, didn’t wanted to torture anyone else, so started in the early hours of Saturday and rode to Shirdi. Last time I gone, I had not taken her, so a visit was pending.
It was a long boring ride, but then it had to be done. It sure tested my patience:-)

It was hot and I was in sugarcane country, how could I not stop for a glass of sugarcane juice at one of the roadside shed, with one of those hand operated machines.
A glass of cold juice, with a hint of ginger and lemon and just imagine how refreshing it would if you yourself have taken the efforts to squeeze it. :-) 6 rounds around the wheel, before the old man was satisfied, that the cane was devoid of all its juice.
It’s the first time I have operated it, some new experience…
The old man there told me as to how it was different than the normal ones, that it had 4 bearings rather the normal wooden clogs and that the machine costs 5000 bucks.

An interesting sign board on the highway , something which shows how English has made its way into the lives of rural India…Written in Marathi ,”Pudhe Roadche kaam chalu aahe” , when it used to be “ Rastyache kaam”…..Basically says “Road works in progress….” But uses the word ‘Road’ instead for the equivalent marathi word.

Another observation was, the Reliance Petrol Pumps, saw around 6-7 being constructed.
These as owned and run by the company Couldn’t help thinking how Reliance had penetrated into almost every sector of Indian business today.

Arsenal takes the English premier league title and in style ….34 matches without defeat.

Schumi makes it 4/4 and leads with 40 points….
A slight error in the first lap…got into a wheel banging tussle with Montoya...but then on its was smooth sailing…

That’s the 'message of the day' to my fellow bloggers.
According to a survey - On any given day, an average of 34,000 units of blood are needed to save precious human lives.

I do it every three months.
And the good part is that, in an emergency one can donate even before the 3 months period; like I did today for an open-heart surgery.
And the best part is that you get free glucose biscuits and coffee:-)

You might never know when it comes handy, and you could save a life.
I was speaking to the doctor and she told me that there is a scarcity of blood in the blood banks all over India.
With the HIV fear, the situation has worsened.

Here is a site where you could register yourself
http://www.indianblooddonors.com/index.asp

But the best would be to register yourself at a Blood Bank in your city

Well thats the way an old Hindi song goes, English translation would be “Postman has brought the mail”. He too say’s “You’ve got mail”, but here its snail mail.

With all these electronic mails, sms and phone calls becoming so part of my life, I really haven’t written a letter and posted it. Today, the only time I put something into the “Lal dabba” (Post Box ), is when I send Diwali and New Year Cards)
In-land letters, postcards were very common say a decade back. There was a time when I used these to stay in touch with friends. I had also made a few Pen pals, strangers who had never met but communicated through mail.
Today, at the least with the urban youth, the only connection with the postal department is for any official communication, mostly bills (credit card bills, electricity etc.) or for sending application etc.
I don’t how many of you write letters today, but I am sure the number is very less.

Today I went to the “Dak Ghar” (Post office) after ages, I was to collect a speed post package.
The postmen were still sorting all the “dak” (mail). Sifting through the heap of letters, postcards, parcels etc. ; sorting them according to the addresses. And it just got me thinking about the important role these guys pay in our daily lives.

Indian Postal Service is the organization, which delivers mails to even the most distant location across the country. Mails travels through the all the possible means of transport, Air, Sea, Rail and Road. The postman takes it to the remotes corners of the country traveling by a bicycle, bullock cart or on foot. Traveling on the same roads day in and day out, be it the scorching summer or heavy rains, bringing messages of joy and sorrow

When one says “Postman”, there is specific image that comes to mind. A guy with a cap (most likely a “Gandhi topi”), a sling bad around his shoulder and bicycle.

In villages a postman has got a real important status, he is respected and greeted to the homes whenever he comes to deliver mail. He is more like a family. If you have read Malgudi days, you will know what I mean. One reason is that, with most of the Indian rural population being illiterate, he is the one who can read their letters for them.

It is not the same in the cities though; here, he is just another guy doing his job. He is given his annual Diwali bakshish (more from the nuisance value point of view.)

The classic “Dakiya”(postman) is slowly going from our lives, but its still quite sometime before he stops affecting us in our daily lives. One can recognize his efforts or take them for granted.
I would say, next time around when you are home and the postman comes; do offer him a glass of water.

Well ages since I have updated my blog and have been blacklisted for that.
More than being busy, was nothing interesting to write, It been routine, cricket and election stuff. Have been going to office and back.
Another reason is that my bike has gone for a major overhaul, so I am down to a cycle without a motor for my commuting needs.

The only interesting thing was ...the night trek to "Dhak cha Beheri", more of rock climbing with a 2000ft drop below, which was really exiting. Experience of a lifetime and something I had not done for quite sometime.

Some interesting sites that I have visited lately
http://www.topgear.com/
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com

The recent mailing forward read..
Indian says" Hamare pass Sachin hai, Sehwag hai, the wall hai..."
Paki says" Hamare pass Steve Bucknor hai"

Now India has had a history with Steve saheb...if you remember the Australian tour.
But the point here is about the how costly can these errors made by umpires could be in today's cricket, with so much money at stake (legal and illegal..), the game having become a lot more competetive than it was 50 years back.
There a thin line between how much freedom should be given to umpires to make their call and how frequently should they take the help to cameras and slow motion replays.

My previous blog today is essentially an article i found which addressed the topic of wrong decision on the cricket field and the need for technology assisted umpiring.

Wrong umpiring decisions could swing the pendulam either way

by Sanjeeva Jayaweera

http://www.island.lk/index.html

A wrong umpiring decision could result in a team losing or even winning a
match. The player concerned if in the middle of poor form could find himself
dropped from the team while on the other hand if he is in top form he will
continue to go from strength to strength.

Controversy because of poor umpiring has been present for so long and will
continue unless the ICC decides to change its stance and use technology for
certain decisions. I am surprised at the stance adopted by people who
advocate that umpires in the middle must be entrusted with the decision
making in a sport, which over the last three decades has developed to great
heights.

Instances when umpiring decisions caused uproar

In 1968 during the 2nd Test between West Indies and England played in
Jamaica, the crowd rioted by throwing bottles on to the field when they
perceived that a West Indian batsman was ruled caught behind by a West
Indian umpire which was a dubious decision.

In 1980 during the 2nd Test between West Indies and New Zealand played at
Christchurch New Zealand, the West Indian team refused to take the field
after tea on day 3 as a protest against the umpiring of Fred Goodall, a New
Zealand umpire. They finally emerged from their dressing room 12 minutes
late and that protracted discussions between the two cricketing boards
during the rest day which finally saved the test as well as the rest of the
tour. However Colin Croft the West Indian fast bowler subsequently barged in
to umpire Goodall during his approach to deliver a ball which I presume was
a protest against his umpiring. Michael Holding a fine West Indian bowler
who is now an expert on suspect bowling actions kicked a stump out of the
ground after an appeal for a catch behind was negatived. It was stated that
Holdings kick was as graceful as his bowling run up and action! One may find
it difficult to believe that the captain of that West Indian team was none
other than Clive Lloyd the match referee for the current series in Sri Lanka
who has threatened to take firm action against any player who misbehaves
during the series!

In 1981 during the 3rd Test between Australia and India played at Melbourne
the great Sunil Gavaskar who was ruled given out LBW to Lillee disagreed
with the decision so vehemently that he ordered his batting partner to
return to the pavilion with him and thus concede the match. The Manager of
the Indian team however met the batsmen at the gate and ordered Chauhan back
to the crease. However the Indians clinched a fantastic victory by 59 runs,
which is the last occasion they have beaten Australia in Australia.

In 1986 Mike Gatting the English captain and Pakistan umpire Shakoor Rana
had a mid pitch-argument with Gatting wagging his finger, which resulted in
the match being stopped for 1.5 days whilst the umpire demanded an apology
from Gatting for his behaviour. Gatting finally gave in, but the English
Cricket Board subsequently gave a special hardship allowance to the entire
squad which, I presume was in support of Gattings actions.

In 1998 the Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga led his team to the edge of
the boundary and had a protracted telephone conversation with the Sri Lankan
cricket Board when his champion off spinner Muralitharan, was no balled by
umpire Darrell Hair for chucking. Other umpire Ross Emerson too called the
same bowler and Emerson was later banned by the Australian Board from all
types of cricket.

Whilst many would condemn the actions of all the above mentioned teams and
the players involved as "not being cricket" and stating that the umpire is
always correct some of us would like to consider the matter more
philosophically in that players under a perceived sense of provocation and
victimization can and will react adversely in a moment of extreme pressure
just as much as most of do so when driving along the roads in Colombo!

The case against introduction of technology to assist umpires

Many critics who oppose the transfer of power from the umpire in the middle
to the third umpire in the pavilion have cited tradition as the main reason
for their opposition. The less we debate this particular point the better it
would be as there is no valid reason for ever opposing the introduction of
technology to safeguard tradition. I presume it is the very same people who
opposed the move to allow females to become members of the MCC or to sit in
the pavilion with males or to patronize a bar in a cricket club despite the
fact that in 1960 the world witnessed the election of the First Female Prime
Minister.

Several others have stated that their opposition is on account of the
slowing down of the game if all decisions are referred to the third umpire.
Whilst I would agree that the game would slow down I believe that the
benefit of getting a decision right would negate the disadvantages. As a
spectator I would rather be able to watch Brian Lara score a spanking
century or half century rather than he be given out by an incorrect umpiring
decision. I would happily sacrifice the five overs lost during a days play
to ensure that a batsman was not given out incorrectly or that a genuine
edge to the wicket keeper given not out because the umpire did not see the
edge or hear its sound.

Some others have cited their opposition to technology assisting the umpires
by stating that technology at times is inconclusive. Yes there are in some
areas where technology is still inconclusive however I could live with it,
as I believe that the benefit of the doubt must always go to the batsmen. If
technology is inconclusive then the human eye cannot be conclusive. Imagine
the difficulty that an umpire faces when a ball delivered by Brett Lee at
over 90 miles per hour pitches and he has to decide whether it pitched
outside the leg stump when for most of the time the umpire was concentrating
on whether the bowler hadn't delivered a "no ball".

Credit to Imran Khan

It was Imran Khan who in the early 1980's strongly advocated the appointment
of two "neutral" umpires as he felt that a significant amount of credit was
being taken away from Pakistan when they beat their opponents in Pakistan.
It was common for both England and Australia to claim that biased umpiring
cost them the match as opposed to the skill of the Pakistani team. Most
people forget that in fact it was the Pakistan Board of Control for Cricket
who took the advice of Imran and appointed two English umpires to officiate
a Test series in Pakistan. Similarly umpires from India and Sri Lanka were
blamed whenever visiting teams lost.

The Australian umpires were not spared either although the media used to
play it down. I remember the West Indian team of 1976 being at the receiving
end of several poor decisions during their tour of Australia and Michael
Holding bursting in to tears when an edge which was heard by the entire
stadium, being negated by the Australian umpire.

Asian Umpires at the receiving end

It is rather amusing as to how in the past as well as in the present
incorrect umpiring decisions made by English, Australian, South African
umpires are often forgiven and forgotten on the basis that they were genuine
mistakes and after all the umpires are only human! However, when an Indian,
Sri Lankan or a Pakistani umpire commits a mistake it is perceived as either
biased or as incompetent. The former Sri Lankan spinner Asoka De Silva was
recently nicknamed as "A Shocker" by the Australian media for the several
incorrect decisions he made during the recently concluded series between the
world champions and the West Indies. Having watched the matches on TV, I
would agree that Asoka De Silva made several blunders but I have also seen
so many mistakes being made by the Australian and South African umpires in
the ICC panel who are not castigated because their mistakes are after all
"human". Only recently a satellite Television station showed the highlights
of a one-day international match between England and South Africa played
several years ago. It was astonishing to see how Rudi Kotzen a South African
umpire who still is officiating as an ICC umpire initially signalling a wide
and then declaring an English batsmen out caught behind by the wicket
keeper! If that was not a shocker then I do not know what constitutes a
shocking decision.

Are umpires inconsistent when dealing with Asian players?

I have watched on TV, Darrel Harper the Australian umpire continuing to give
very poor decisions but still being touted as one of the best umpires in the
world. I still remember how last year during the second Test between South
Africa and Sri Lanka in South Africa when both teams misbehaved, the Sri
Lankan fast bowler Chamila Gamage being admonished and warned by Darrel
Harper after he collided with the batsmen in mid pitch. What was totally
unacceptable was how Darrel Harper caught hold of Gamage by his shoulders
and shook him like a schoolboy whilst giving him a finger-wagging lecture.
The South African commentators were visibly embarrassed and pointed out as
to why the South African batsmen, was not spoken to at all. What was most
astonishing was that umpire Harper felt that he had the right to manhandle
Gamage in this manner. I wonder whether he would ever dare to shake Glenn
McGrath by his shoulders and give him a mid pitch lecture? I am sure he
would not and that leads to a very serious question as to whether umpires
believe that they are more important than the players and whether they apply
different rules to sub continental players as opposed "white skinned"
players.

It appears that most umpires in the ICC panel feel that they are immune from
being held responsible for poor decision-making and as such continue along
their merry way. I was taken a back the other day when Simon Touffal the
Australian umpire when questioned about his views on technology assisting
him stating that he would lose his sense of job satisfaction if the third
umpire was to make most of the decisions. It appears that umpires have
forgotten that it is the players who bring sponsorship to the game and the
crowds to the ground and not the other way around.

Considering all the issues surrounding poor umpiring and the detrimental
effect that it is having on the game as a whole it is of paramount
importance that those who matter in the ICC have the guts and the foresight
to ensure that the game of cricket is enriched by the use of technology and
that decisions other than no balls, wides and counting of six balls per over
is assigned to the third umpire.

Ya thats what my day at office has been...:-)
Have put in these long hourse after a couple of months...feels nice to work like this ...once in a while offcourse..
More later ..zzz...

Schumi does it again.Three in a row. A new circuit, testing conditions, but he made it look so very easy....
Bad luck continues for Kimi and Montoya.
Poor racing by Ralf once again, he is trying too hard i guess
But Button is making the most of it.