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Monday, January 30, 2023

Monk Murali !! - - - retires !!

Retirements are  normal; We have seen so many in our lives with the passage of time…… it is a process where a person stops employment completely.  We are not speaking about anything forced but the natural retirement upon person reaching the prescribed age limit of 58 or 60….  In some ways, it is a happy event that somebody can take rest peacefully and perhaps devote his time and attention to religious or social activity ~ not required to work any longer……not all are fortunate..  retirement is  an emotional event for everyone and it is more emotional for the retiree.    

The first price of popularity is that one is hounded quite often of ‘retirement’……… the great genius writer Sujatha in his heydays was confronted in a student’s forum with the Q  : Sir, when will you stop writing ? Pat came the reply – ‘in the night ~ when I feel too sleepy’………… 

We have seen some great openers – Pankaj Roy, Sunil Gavaskar, Chetan Chauhan,Navjot Sidhu,  Krish Srikkanth, Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Sadagoppan Ramesh, Shikhar Dhawan .. .. to name a few !!   .. .. today comes the news of retirement of an Indian Opener, whom we loved seeking, cut, drive and pull with ease !! 

 


In 2012, a decade ago -  in IPL Cricket  24 centuries had been socred ; 6 in that season- Chris Gayle, Ajinkya Rahane, David Warner, Rohit Sharma, Kevin Pietersen and Murali Vijay.  Gayle had made 3 tons in IPL; Warner and Shaun Marsh 2 each… only Indian to have made 2 tons in IPL was Monk ….. Murali Vijay. 

In the First Test at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica – 2011  presented a rare spectacle of two Tamilnadu players opening for India.   It was debutant Abhinav Mukund (Virat Kohli and Praveen Kumar too made their debuts in that test) opening with Murali Vijay ..   There have been few Tamil Nadu batsmen who had opened for   Krish Srikkanth, Woorkeri Venkatraman,  Sadagoppan Ramesh,    

Remember his cavalier knock at Brisbane Gabba on 17.12.2014.   At  12.1 – Dhawan scored a 4 off Johnson completing their first 50-plus opening stand in an away Test ~ coming as it did for the Team after the one at  Lord's 2011.

A leading Aussie Press screamed - warming to conditions more familiar to Goa beachgoers than a Gabba Test match crowd, opener Murali Vijay led a perfectly-placed Indian counterpunch that sapped Steve Smith’s Australians of more than their spirit on day one of the second Commonwealth Bank Test. Having been cruelly denied the single that would have carried him to a deserved century the previous week  in Adelaide, Vijay defied Brisbane’s steamy heat and predictions that the tourists’ batting would fold on a fast, bouncy pitch to post a clinical 144. 

Today comes the news that  Murali Vijay  has called time on his international career to explore "new opportunities in the world of cricket and the business side of it".  

Vijay played 61 Tests, 17 ODIs and nine T20Is in an international career that began in 2008 when he replaced Gautam Gambhir in India's XI.  His last appearance in professional cricket was in the IPL, in Sept 2020.  A classical Test opener, who, when at his peak, had a solid technique and immense patience against the new ball - his ability to leave the ball earned him great praise during India's tour of England in 2014 - Vijay finished with 3982 Test runs in 105 innings at an average of 38.28. He made 12 centuries and 15 half-centuries, with a best of 167 against Australia in Hyderabad in 2013.  

"I am excited to announce that I will be exploring new opportunities in the world of cricket and the business side of it, where I will also continue to participate in the sport that I love and challenge myself in new and different environments," 38-year-old Vijay said in a statement. "I believe this is the next step in my journey as a cricketer and I look forward to the new chapter in my life."  

Vijay was a key member of India's Test squad for a five-year period between 2013 and 2018. From December 2013 to January 2015, when India played all their Test cricket away from home - in South Africa, New Zealand, England and Australia - Vijay faced the most balls and scored the second-most runs for the team. He was also one of only three players to average more than 40.  

He had a moniker – ‘the monk’ for the calmness at crease !!   Vijay’s calmness at the crease and selfless self-denial evoked a man of the cloth. The tranquillity of his gaze at the greener tops on overseas soil gave many an Indian fans much-needed assurance; substituting the flashing blade for unglamorous left opposition bowlers frustrated.    

Interestingly, though he used to bowl in local matches, his only victim in Test is Moeen Ali out LBW in the 2nd Investec Test, Lord's, July 17 - 21, 2014,  which India won!  

All the best Murali Vijay – we loved seeing you bat .. .. and he was a good fielder too !!  

With regards – S. Sampathkumar
30th Jan 2023. 

Kakasuran !! - the fearsome crow

 Kakasuran !!  - the fearsome crow 



In our literature, Crows are social birds with tight-knight family structures that roost in huge numbers, so what do you call a group of crows? While most people call a group of birds a flock, crows, in particular, have been known by a number of terms. The most popular of these is known as a murder, but a group of crows can also be called a horde, mob, muster, or parcel.

Remember that in elementary school level, we had a lesson highlighting the intelligence of crows – that water at the jug would be too low.  Crow would collect pebbles and keep putting them inside. The water level would raise and crow would quench its thirst.  Miles away, in an  experiment   published in PLOS One, Scientists determined that crows can not only tell the difference between water and sand - they also understand water displacement.  The test involved tubes containing water and a treat floating on top out of reach. The crows filled the tubes with enough rocks or other heavy items to bring the food within reach. They were observed snapping twigs from trees, then stripping it of bark and leaves, and fashioned the node into a hook. They then used these tools to probe into small spaces for food.

One for sorrow, Two for joy, Three for a girl, Four for a boy, Five for silver, Six for gold, Seven for a secret - Never to be told, Eight for a wish, Nine for a kiss, Ten for a bird, Eleven is worse; Twelve for a dastardly curse.  In Britain, this has been old belief and in  1780,  a note in John Brand's Observations on Popular Antiquities on Lincolnshire has this lyric.  A version of the rhyme became familiar to many UK children when it became the theme tune of an ITV children's TV show called Magpie, which ran from 1968 to 1980. The popularity of this version is thought to have displaced the many regional versions that had previously existed.   

Interesting !
 
With regards – S. Sampathkumar
30.1.2023

Semparuthi poovu !!

On seeing this picture, you may remember that formula film of RK Selvamani starring Prasanth and Roja .. ..  a story of  the love of two teenagers from different social classes. Raja is the grandson of a rich businesswoman,  settled in London coming to India and falling in love with the sister of a poor fisherman Pandy, who works in Raja's grandmother's house.

 


In recent times, this flower is touted to have magical health benefits – with some stating that their  petals and leaves promote the development of hair follicles and even get rid of bald spots. Hibiscus flowers are rich in amino acids, a crucial component of keratin, which promotes hair growth.  One web states that Hibiscus flowers can be your magical solution if you are experiencing hair loss, premature greying, thinning, dandruff, frizz, dryness, breakage, or split ends. They have long been cherished in Ayurveda for their ability to promote hair growth!. Their petals and leaves are known to promote the development of hair follicles and even get rid of bald spots.  

Hibiscus is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae. The genus is quite large, comprising several hundred species that are native to warm temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world. Member species are renowned for their large, showy flowers and those species are commonly known simply as "hibiscus”. The genus includes both annual and perennial herbaceous plants, as well as woody shrubs and small trees.  Several species are widely cultivated as ornamental plants, notably Hibiscus syriacus and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis.  

It is not only great in looks but tastes good too – try having a tea made from hibiscus flowers served both hot and cold. The beverage is known for its red colour, tart flavour, and vitamin C content.  Miles away, a Prof   and Ph.D. candidate   from the Department of Life Sciences at the Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH), have found that the gossypetin in hibiscus activates microglia, the immune cells in the brain. Their research claims that these microglia can scavenge amyloid-beta in the brain to improve cognitive function in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.  

செம்பருத்தி பூவு, சித்திரத்தை போல, அம்பலத்தில் ஆடுதிங்கே  

was a big hit a couple of decades back.  From the movie titled Sembaruthi, its  music was composed by Illayaraja to the lyrics of Vaali.     

A Good morning start with a beautiful flower
 
With regards – S. Sampathkumar
30.1.2023 

Sunday, January 29, 2023

Shafali Varma leads India to title in U19 Women's Inaugural World Cup 2023

South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. Potchefstroom  is an academic city in the North West Province of South Africa.  One view on the origin of its name – is  as having come from the word 'Potscherf', meaning a shard of a broken pot, due to the cracks that appear in the soil of the Mooi River Valley during drought resembling a broken pot"!   It is a Golden pot for the Indian Women’s Cricket !! 

These names are to be remembered :  Shafali Varma (Capt); Shweta Sehrawat, Soumya Tiwari, Gongadi Trisha, Hrishita Basu, Richa Ghosh †, Titas Sadhu,  Mannat Kashyap, Archana Devi, Parshavi Chopra, Sonam Yadav

 


Much in the same manner as :  Sunil Gavaskar , Krishnamachari Srikkanth, Mohinder Amarnath, Yashpal Sharma, Sandeep Patil, Kapil Dev (c), Kirti Azad, Roger Binny, Madan Lal, Syed Kirmani † & Balwinder Sandhu  (the playing X1 of 1983 Prudential World Cup finals) 

Gautam Gambhir, Yusuf Pathan , Robin Uthappa,  Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni (c)†, Rohit Sharma, Irfan Pathan    Harbhajan Singh, Joginder Sharma, Sreesanth,  & RP Singh  (the victorious 11 of 2007 inaugural T20 WC) 

Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni (c)†, Yuvraj Singh   Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel  &  Sreesanth (the victorious 11 of 2011 ODI WC) 

Today in the grand finals at Potchefstroom,   ICC Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup splendid bowling performance by the Indians helped restricting England to a paltry 68 and winning with ease.  The scorecard reads : India 69 for 3 (Trisha 24, Tiwari 24*, Baker 1-13) beat England 68 (MacDonald-Gay 19, Sadhu 2-6, Chopra 2-13) by seven wickets. 

The bowling card reads :  Titas Sadhu 4-0-6-2; Archana Devi 3-0-17-2; Parshavi Chopra 4-0-13-2;  Mannat Kashyap 3-0-13-1;  Shafali Verma 2-0-16-1;  Sonam Yadav 1.1-0-3-1 

The 2023 ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup was the first edition of the ICC Women's Under-19 Cricket World Cup, hosted by South Africa.   In April 2021, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that the tournament had been moved from its original slot at the end of 2021 to January 2023 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sixteen teams played in this the tournament.  Players aged 18 or younger on 31 August 2022 were eligible for selection.  



The Cup winning Shafali Verma (28.1.2004) has many accolades.  In 2019, at the age of 15, she became the youngest cricketer to play in a Women's Twenty20 International match for India. In June 2021, she became the youngest player, male or female, to represent India in all three formats of international cricket.  On 8 October 2022 she became the youngest cricketer to complete 1000 runs in T20 Internationals. Before international cricket, she played for Velocity in the Women's T20 Challenge. Ahead of the 2020 ICC Women's T20 World Cup, she was ranked as the number one batter in women's T20I cricket.  She was signed by Birmingham Phoenix for the first season of The Hundred. She played for Sydney Sixers in the 2021 WBBL.    

A long, long wait for a World Cup win in women's cricket finally ended for India. The team’s coach  Nooshin Al Khadeer  was part of India's runners-up finish in the Women's World Cup in South Africa, 18 years ago. An athletic effort on the field,  disciplined bowling, and a canter with the bat helped India defeat England to claim the inaugural Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup in Potchefstroom. Fast bowler Titas Sadhu, offspinner Archana Devi and legspinner Parshavi Chopra picked up two wickets apiece to bowl England out for 68. Soumya Tiwari and G Trisha then saw off the chase to set off celebrations for the Shafali Verma-led side. Chasing 69, Shafali got going with a giant six over long-off off left-arm spinner Sophia Smale.  

Well done Team  India U19 Women !! Congratulations.  

With regards – S. Sampathkumar
29.1.2023 

Saturday, January 28, 2023

Beau calf - (not) - Black & White

 Beautiful kannukutti

 


Bileeeevvv me please – this is a colour photo – not a B&W one !!

Thursday, January 26, 2023

Cow rest - Shadows !! - நிழலும் நிஜமும்

 Shadows !!  -  நிழலும் நிஜமும்



 
In cities, people work hard, travel long distance to workplace ! – return home, to their comfort zone of small apartments, dine and sleep well !!
 
Ever been out at odd hours – this pic was taken this morning at 2.08 am !! – intentionally dark, did not use flash as :  1) it might disturb its tranquilty  2) eyes would appear red in the photo.
 
Work hard – take rest !!
 
Lenser’s life – S.Sampathkumar
26.1.2023

Do you get up to the sound of rooster in the morning ?

 

It dawns every day and we have read that Roosters wake-up people with morning calls ! .. .. ..ever heard them or woken up because of them ?? 

Long ago,  before alarm clocks jolted us awake to greet the morning with bleary-eyed confusion, roosters performed that daily duty!!   Roosters shout upon seeing the light of the dawn ?   Now, a new study shows that roosters don't need the light of a new day to know when it's dawn—rather, their internal clocks alert them to the time. 



சாமக்கோழி ஏ கூவுதம்மா  !  ஆசையுள்ள சேவல் ஊருக்கென்ன காவல் -

என்ற பாடல் 1980களில் பட்டிதொட்டி எங்கும் ஒலித்தது.  இசை - இசைஞானி இளையராஜா; வரிகள் - பஞ்சு அருணாசலம்;  பாடியவர்கள் : இளையராஜா மற்றும் எஸ். பி. சைலஜா.  

கோழி காடுகளிலும், வீடுகளிலும்,   பண்ணைகளிலும் வளர்க்கப்படுகிறது.  பெண்ணினம் பெடை / கோழி  எனவும், ஆணினம் சேவல் எனவும் அழைக்கப்படுகின்றது.  உலகில் உள்ள எந்த ஒரு பறவையைக் காட்டிலும் கோழிகளே   இறைச்சிக்காகவும், முட்டைக்காகவும் அதிக அளவில்  வளர்க்கப்படுகின்றன. தமிழ்நாட்டின் நாமக்கல் மாவட்டம்  கோழிப் பண்ணைகளுக்குப் பெயர் பெற்றது.  

கோழி கூவி பொழுது விடியும் !!  .. .. பொழுது விடிவதை காலம் காலமாக மனிதர்களுக்கு உணர்த்துவது  கோழியின் கூக்குரல் !! சாமக்கோழி எத்தனை மணிக்கு கூவும்  >?    உலகில் வாழும் ஒவ்வொரு உயிரினமும் ஒன்று, மற்றொன்றை சார்ந்துள்ளது.  கடந்த காலத்தில் கிராமப்புறங்களில் சாமக்கோழி கூவும்போது பொழுது விடிவதாக நினைத்து, காலையில் எழுவதை மனிதர்கள் வழக்கமாகக் கொண்டிருந்தனர்.  

சாமம் என்பது ஒரு நேர அலகு.  நடுச்சாமம் என்பது midnight.    சாமக்கோழி, என்பது  பெயர்ச்சொல். நடுச்சாமத்தில் கூவும் கோழியை குறிக்கும். சாமக்கோழி கூவும் நேரம் ஏறத்தாழ அதிகாலை 3 மணியில் இருந்து 3.30 மணிக்குள் இருக்கும். இதற்கு அடுத்ததாக சேவல் அதிகாலை 5 மணிக்கு தொடந்து கூவும். பெட்டைக் கோழி கூவாது.  

தமிழ் மரபுப்படி கோழி என்பது சேவல், பெட்டை என்ற இரண்டு இனங்களையும் குறிக்கும். அதனால்தான் கோழி கூவுது என்ற சொல் வழக்கத்தில் வந்தது. சேவல் கூவுகிறது  என்று கூறப்படுவதில்லை .. ஆனால் கூவுவது என்னமோ சேவல்தான் !!  

Interesting !  

With regards – S. Sampathkumar
26.1.2023 

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

lil Squirrel shows you Health care !

Important Pre-script :  May be you can read the last para, before reading this post !!! 

In Office, you would have observed that during meetings or lectures, often people take notes, i.e. they handwrite in their diaries. This helps people remember more. It means they are focussed and hearing you,  also means that the information has been processed and the process of learning has begun. 

Keeping attentive requires to be healthy !!!  Health is the most important thing in  life.   One has to check on facts & fats.  There are 2 main types of fat: saturated and unsaturated. Too much saturated fat can increase the amount of cholesterol in the blood, which increases your risk of developing heart disease. 

The very mention of health tips brings to mind the regular ideas – drinking hot water, avoiding junk food, sleeping on time and so on.  According to the Japanese,   where people took coffee naps, i.e. by consuming 200 mg of coffee and then take a 20-minute power nap or rest. These people felt more alert and did well on their tests. But all along we have been told that drinking coffee would make it difficult to sleep well !! 

When tired, we jump to energy drinks – there are so many brands these days. An  energy drink has at least five times more caffeine than coffee. The energy boosts they give us are fleeting and passes soon and they have   side effects namely irritability, palpitations, increased heartbeats and nervousness. These drinks also contain very high levels of taurine – a stimulant for the central nervous system and 50 gms of sugar per can/bottle. The sweet juice or aerated drink will spike your blood sugar levels, give you an energy rush but crash soon, leaving you tired and dizzy. 

காலையில் இட்லி, தோசை, இடியாப்பம்  போர் அடிக்குதா? பாதாம், வால்நட், பிஸ்தா, முந்திரி இவை அனைத்துமே சத்து நிறைந்தவை. கலவையாக  கைப்பிடி அளவு எடுத்துக் கொள்ளலாம். மன அழுத்தத்தில் இருந்து ஏற்படும் பாதிப்புகளை தவிர்க்க வல்லது -  மக்னீசியம்!  

எப்போதும் வயிறு புடைக்க, மூச்சு முட்ட உண்ணக்கூடாது. அளவிற்குக் குறைவாக உண்டாலும் உடலில் சக்தி குறையும். எனவே தேவையான அளவு அதாவது அதிகமாகவும் இல்லாமல், குறைவாகவும் இல்லாமல் உண்ண வேண்டும். உடல் உழைப்பின்றி நாற்காலியில் அமர்ந்து பகல் முழுவதும் வேலை பார்ப்பவர்கள் உணவைக் குறைக்க வேண்டும். உடல் உழைப்பு இல்லாததால் உண்ணும் உணவானது உடலில் கசடுகளாகத் தங்கி துன்பம் விளைவிக்கும்.  

வாழைப்பழத்தைத் தயிர், மோருடன் கலந்து சாப்பிடக்கூடாது. வாழைப்பழம் சாப்பிட்ட உடனும், தயிர், மோர் சாப்பிடக்கூடாது.  பழங்களைத் தனியேதான் சாப்பிட வேண்டும். சாப்பாட்டுடன் சேர்ந்து சாப்பிடக்கூடாது. அதன் தாதுச்சத்து உணவுடன் கலந்து பலனற்றுப் போய்விடும்.  

Starchy carbohydrates should make up just over a third of the food you eat. They include potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and cereals.  Choose higher fibre or wholegrain varieties, such as wholewheat pasta, brown rice or potatoes with their skins on. 


The most important health tip of the day :  .. .. don’t take health  tips on social media on its face value .. .. Life is more beautiful eating tastier and living merrier.  Health tips collated only for posting the photo

 
With regards – S. Sampathkumar
25.11.2022 

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Parrots eat ! - rice flies !!

 Count them ! – so many of them at Royapettah near EA Mall (Camera mechanic  parrot feeder Sekar)

 


.. .. and see the foodgrains (rice) fly  - food court or paradise !!

kokku dance !!

 Baratha Natyam : பரத நாட்டிய நிகழ்ச்சியின் முதல் நடனம் அலாரிப்பு. கடவுள், குரு சபையோர் முதலானோரை ஆடுபவர் மதித்து வணங்கும் நிகழ்ச்சி. நிருத்த வகையான ஆடல் இது.

 


தா தெய் தெய் // தத் தா கிட தக // -  தாம் தித்தா ............ தெய்த் தத் தெய்

தா தெய் தெய் // தத் தா கிட தக //  -  தாம் தித்தா ............ தெய்த் தத் தெய்

 

Monday, January 23, 2023

Panama, Paasama ! - Indina jujube - எலந்த பழ, எலந்த பழம் !!

கோடீஸ்வரியின் மகள், வீட்டு வாட்ச்மேனின் மகனைக் காதலிக்கிறாள்.  வாட்ச்மேனின் மகனாக ஜெமினி கணேசன். காதலுக்கு வீட்டில் எதிர்ப்பு இருந்ததால் ஜெமினி கணேசனை அழைத்துக்கொண்டு அந்தப் பெண் தனிக்குடித்தனம் சென்றுவிடுகிறாள். அதைப் பெரிய அவமானமாக நினைத்த அவரது அம்மா, ‘என் மகள் இறந்துவிட்டாள்... நான் அவளைத் தலைமுழுகிவிட்டேன்’  என்கிறார் ... படத்தின் கருவை பற்றி கருத்து ஏதேனும் கூறுமுன், நினைவிய கொள்ள வேண்டியது - இப்படம் 1968ம் ஆண்டு வெளிவந்தது.  கே. எஸ். கோபாலகிருஷ்ணன் இயக்கத்தில்  ஜெமினி கணேசன், சரோஜா தேவி மற்றும் பலரும் நடித்திருந்தனர். இசை கே. வி. மகாதேவன், பாடல்கள் கவியரசு கண்ணதாசன்.  இப்படத்தில் இந்த பாடல் பட்டி தொட்டி எங்கும் இசைத்தது.  

‘பணமா பாசமா’ படம் மதுரை தங்கம் தியேட்டரில் ரிலீஸானது. அந்தக் காலத்தில் மிகப்பெரிய தியேட்டர் என்றால் தங்கம் தியேட்டர்தான். நூறு நாட்களுக்கும்மேல் ஓடி சாதனை படைத்தது.  

Panama Pasama (Money or Affection?) starring Gemini Ganesan and Saroja Devi was released in 1968 ! (many of you were not even born at that time) - directed and produced by K. S. Gopalakrishnan, was a musical hit too.  The film ran for  over 140 days and was  remade the following year in Hindi as Paisa Ya Pyaar.

 

முன்பெல்லாம் எல்லா பள்ளி வாசல்களிலும் தள்ளு வண்டிகளில், இப்பழத்தை விற்பார்கள்.  Bher என்று ஹிந்தியிலும் Regi பண்டு என்று தெலுங்கிலும் அழைக்கப்படும் இது, பெரிய சைஸிலும் கிடைக்கிறது. பெரிய சைஸ் பழம் அவ்வளவு ருசியாக இருக்காது. இலந்தம் பழத்தை சாப்பிடும் முன், பழத்தினுள் சிறு புழுக்கள் இருக்கிறதா என பார்த்து,   சாப்பிடவேண்டும்.  இனிப்பும், புளிப்பும் கலந்த சுவை பிரமாதமாக இருக்கும். சிலர் மிளகாய்த் தூள், உப்பு பிசறி இலந்தம்பழத்தை சாப்பிடுவார்கள். பழத்தை இளம்சூடு வெந்நீரில் நன்றாக அலம்பி சாப்பிடுவது நல்லது.   

Ziziphus mauritiana, also known as Indian jujube is a  tropical fruit tree species belonging to the family Rhamnaceae.  It is a spiny, evergreen shrub or small tree up to 15 m high, with trunk 40 cm or more in diameter; spreading crown; stipular spines and many drooping branches. The fruit is of variable shape and size. It can be oval, obovate, oblong or round. It is fleshy and crisp with pungent smell.  When slightly underipe, this fruit is a bit juicy and has a pleasant aroma. The fruit's skin is smooth, glossy, thin but tight.  

இலந்தை செடி சுமார் 30 அடி உயரம் வரை வளரக்கூடியது. வளைந்த கூர்மையான முட்களுடன் முட்டை வடிவ மூன்று மூன்று பளபளப்பான பச்சை இலைகளும் உடைய சிறு மரம். தமிழகத்தின் வறட்சி பகுதிகளில் தானாகவே வளர்கிறது. உரம் தேவையில்லை. சிறிது மழை போதும். குளிர் காலத்தில் பூத்து காய்விட்டுப் பழமாகும். இலந்தைப் பழத்தில்  பல  சத்துக்களும், மருத்துவ குணங்களும் அடங்கி உள்ளதாம்.    இதில் இருவகையுண்டு. ஒன்று காட்டு இலந்தை. மற்றொன்று நாட்டு இலந்தை.  சீமை இலந்தை நாட்டு இலந்தையின் ஒரு பிரிவாகும்.   

இலந்தம் பழத்தை கொட்டை நீக்கி, வெயிலில் உலர்த்தி, புளி, மிளகாய், உப்பு சேர்த்து விழுதாக அரைத்து, சிறு வடைகளாக தட்டி, மீண்டும் வெயிலில் காய வைத்து எடுத்தால் - ருசியான இலந்தம் வடை கிடைக்கும்;  அம்பிகா அப்பளம்  போன்ற அப்பள கடைகளில் இந்த இலந்தை வடை கிடைக்கும்.   

L. R. Eswari  was not exactly a  melody queen like  P. Susheela and S. Janaki  but was a versatile singer with a different voice.   பணமா  பாசமா படத்தில் LR ஈஸ்வரி பாடிய இந்த பாடல் மிக மிக பிரபலமானது.  

எலந்த பழம், எலந்த பழம், எலந்த பழம் …. 

செக்க செவந்த பழம்; இது தேனாட்டம் இனிக்கும் பழம்

எல்லோரும் வாங்கும் பழம்; இது ஏழைக்கினே பொறந்த பழம்

எலந்த பழம், எலந்த பழம், எலந்த பழம் .. …  

LR ஈஸ்வரிக்கு பேர் பெற்று தந்த மற்றோமோரு பாடல்  : 

செல்லாத்தா செல்ல மாரியாத்தா

எங்கள் சிந்தையில் வந்து அரை வினாடி நில்லாத்தா  !! 

கண்ணாத்தா உன்னைக் காணாட்டா

இந்த கண்களிருந்து என்ன புண்ணியம் சொல்லாத்தா

உந்தன் பெருமையை இந்த உலகுக்கு எடுத்து பாடாட்டா

இந்த ஜென்மமெடுத்து என்ன பயனென்று சொல்லடி நீயாத்தா !!

 

Interesting !
 
With regards – S. Sampathkumar
23.1.2023 

Remembering the greatest leader Nethaji Subash Chandra Bose

History is most important but most history across the world has been written with a strong bias towards the victor and those in power.  The life history of many Indians who sacrificed themselves in freedom movement was not properly portrayed,  in schools, we took pride in memorizing the name of Lord Curzon, Wellesley, Dalhousie, Minto-Morley reforms –  we read about a lot about this glorified clerk of British East India Company. Later it was capsuled that Gandhi got us freedom without drop of blood and Nehru family started ruling the Nation.



Give Me Blood! I Promise You Freedom!!   The British are engaged in a worldwide struggle and in the course of this struggle they have suffered defeat after defeat on so many fronts. The enemy having been thus considerably weakened, our fight for liberty has become very much easier than it was five years ago. Such a rare and God-given opportunity comes once in a century. That is why we have sworn to fully utilise this opportunity for liberating our motherland from the British yoke.  The first phase of our campaign is over. Our victorious troops, fighting side by side with Nipponese troops, have pushed back the enemy and are now fighting bravely on the sacred soil of our dear motherland – thundered this man. 

One man who  was non-submissive, had clear vision and strategy –  made the British fear him, has left the most indelible impression on India – as fighter par excellence, a great martyr, a man who could have shaped the destiny of India -   ‘Nethaji Subash Chandra Bose’ and today is the day when  Nation remembers him.

On 7 December 1941, the Japanese attacked the US naval base at Pearl Harbour and later declared war on Britain and the United States.  .. but we never read about the ‘Battle of Imphal’ – the capital of State of Manipur in 1944 when   Japanese armies attempted to destroy the Allied forces and invade India, but were driven back into Burma with heavy losses. Together with the simultaneous Battle of Kohima on the road by which the encircled Allied forces at Imphal were relieved, the battle was the turning point – a victory could have changed the fortunes of the Nation.   According to a voting in a contest run by the British National Army Museum in 2013, the Battle of Imphal was bestowed as Britain's Greatest Battle.

 


The Battle of Imphal-Kohima March - July 1944: An M3 Lee tank crosses a river north of Imphal to meet the Japanese advance.  Source : www.iwm.org.uk/collections

 

Movie is only a form of entertainment, yet there are some films / some scenes that move us. Shankar directed ‘Indian’ [Bharatheeyudu] was a good film.  To many the hero was not the young Kamal but the older Indian Senapathy. The flashback in black & white was really moving taking us to older days, especially the footage of the great Nethaji Subash Chandra Bose.  The story shows Senapathi as a young valiant fighter joining  Bose’s army with the full support of his wife Amirthavalli. The handful of Nation’s soil to be smeared on forehead daily is poetic.  Senapathi gets captured,  survives the brutalities and comes to back in free India riddled with corruption, and he fights that !!

On Sept 16th, 1985, in a dilapidated house in Faizabad, formerly the capital of Oudh province in India, a reclusive holy man known as Bhagwanji or Gumnami Baba (‘the saint with no name’) breathed his last. Locals had long suspected that he was none other than Subhas Chandra Bose (1897-1945),  the greatest revolutionary  who raised an independent army against the British Empire seeking  total independence for India. The Second World War had enabled him to practise what he preached and his Indian National Army  fought with the Japanese in Burma attempting to drive the British out of the subcontinent.  Sadly, his death has remained mysterious.  Nethaji was reported killed in an air crash in August 1945, while trying to escape to the Soviet Union, many believed then and continue to believe now that, helped by his Japanese allies, he faked his death, reached Russia and returned to India many years later to lead the secret life of a hermit. 

          After their first defeat at the hands of British in 1757, there arose many instances  when Indian patriots formed groups and fought hard and bitter battles exhibiting selfless sacrifice.  Alongside hundreds of Velu Thampi, Peshwa Baji Rao, Sardar Shyam Sing, Rani Laximibhai, Tantia Tope, Maharaj of Dumraon, Nana Sahib, there are many hundreds hidden whose exploits, history did not record or were neglected by the British historians and later partisan historians. .. towering among them all would be ‘Nethaji Subash Chandra Bose’.    


History records that Subash Bose, whose success in Indian National Congress was not accepted by Mahatma Gandhi had their last face-to-face meeting and ‘long conversation’ in June 1940 before Subhas’s imprisonment and daring escape. Subhas made ‘a passionate appeal to Mahatma to come forward and launch his campaign of passive resistance’. Gandhi was ‘ non-committal’ because he felt ‘the country was not prepared for a fight’.

On 5th Feb 1941, the Dy Foreigh Minister of Third Reich, Dr Woermann received in Berlin a coded message from the German embassy in Kabul.  It stated that 3 days earlier, Indian patriot Subhas Chandra Bose had walked unannounced into the Embassy and asked for help in going to Germany.  He had arrived in Kabul after perilous journeys from Calcutta, across the north-western frontier and the tribal areas lying between India and Afganisthan.  He sought protection in German legislation and also help in reaching his destination.  The passage to Berlin necessitated flight over Russian territory, the German Embassy contacted the Russian Ambassador who explained that they could not help the fugitive from India escape secretly from Afghan as that would embroil Russia’s relations with Afganisthan. 

The man was daring and was not afraid to precarious existence; he had started from Peshawar under assumed names, dressed like Pathan, and playing deaf and dumb too.  Subash and Talwar  walked over rocky grounds, climbed mountains, rode mules, faced risk of recognition and arrest – after dithering far too long, Russia yielded to pressure from 3 Axis powers to let Bose pass through Moscow with stipulation that Bose would not stay in Soviet Russia and pass through Moscow in disguise.  Mussolini’s Govt came forward more enthusiastically than others to help Subhas.  History has not probed deep to Bose’s thought, preferences and plans.  While in June 1940, Hitler’s victory had seemed imminent, in Jan 1941, it had become a probability.  When victory was no longer certain for Germany, other considerations came to the fore and led Bose decide in favour of Russia. 

Imphal, the capital of Manipur state, lay in a plain surrounded by hills and was the main British base in the area. It was held by Scoones’ 4th Corps.  In 1944, Imphal was not what it is now, yet some physical features do remain the same.  The main entrance to the valley is by the all-weather road which winds its way northwards through some picturesque natural scenery and narrow tracks. General Mutaguchi had estimated his campaign for occupation of Imphal area would be over in a month or so.  Hence, after Tokyo’s order to march received in Jan 1944, he did not at first have much anxiety about rains – the troops began to arrive piecemeal by roadvehicles and on foot.  Its 15th division was to come from Nanking China, were detained by Singapore’s command ostensibly to construct road and overawe Japan’s unwilling ally, the Thai Govt. All these exasperated the strategy of Mutaguchi. 

Inspite of the questionable wisdom of announcing his timetable to Press, General Mutaguchi’s 15th army had kept the secret about crossing the Chindwin very well and the sudden appearance of 3 divisions of Japanese troops on India’s frontier took the British by complete surprise. Japanese appeared at the door of Kohima in April and occupied it.  In the end Japanese military circles did not appear to credit Mutaguchi with intelligence of high order.  Mutaguchi had been telling Nethaji that INA men could join Japanese army after the latter had broken through the enemy’s defences.  Mutaguchi’s assault on Imphal basin was an action replay of Japanese army trapping 7th division of British in Kaladan valleu, followed by his failure to secure the surrender of the enemy.  Netaji had wanted to drive the enemy out of Imphal rather than hold them captive there – ‘No’ Mutaguchi had exclaimed, - ‘there is a big fish in the tank and I want to catch it’ !!!.  Getting a foothold even without annihilation would have left them much stronger.



Nethaji had clear views that the result of the Battle of Imphal concerned India much more than Japan.  With Imphan in its control, Bose’s provisional Govt could have stirred up an anti-British revolt in eastern India after widespread sabotage of British military installations and means of communication. So significant were these to India, yet, did we ever read these and Battle of Imphal in our school curriculum or in our Nation’s History and who is to blame ???

INDIA did not feature in Second World War, but the turn of events widely impacted it – yet the Historians and politicians chose to ignore and record its impact.  Nethaji was daringly different.  He arrived in Kabul escaping the British.  As he was strategizing to fight the invaders, Gandhi had led campaigns and garnered all attention of freedom struggle.  The non-violent campaigns did not impact and were not powerful enough to dislodge the colonisers.  After failure of 3 such peaceful attempts, the fourth one was launched by Nethaji, an armed assault form outside India in collaboration of Britain’s enemies.  Its aim was either to overcome the power or that the freedom fighters laying down their lives would rouse patriotic feelings in the minds of Indian soldiers serving the British Army.

Even as those efforts went unheralded by the Congress dominated struggle, one influential member of British cabinet, Sir Stafford Cripps, proposed that UK make a precipitated withdrawal from India with all her forces and administrative personnel.  That was the precise moment, Nethaji Subash Chandra Bose had brought freedom within the grasp of people, instilling fear in the minds of colonisers.



The man of this day – NETHAJI SUBASH CHANDRA BOSE – stands tall above Gandhi, Nehru and all others whom we read about.  Nation today remembers and pays homage to the great son of India. 

With regards – S. Sampathkumar
23rd Jan 2023
Biblio : collated from various sources and some excerpted from the Book – : ” Netaji Subash Chandra Bose – from Kabul to Battle of Imphal “ – by HN Pandit. 

Sunday, January 22, 2023

Excelling in life !!

 Where did you sit in your class ? -  back bench, middle or first ! – does sitting matter ??

 


To some life is not mere survival – some aspire for more, go in desperate search, may become lonely,  banished for being an outlier, yet learn  to perfect  skills –live happily having accomplished something in life and also  to love and show kindness

Saturday, January 21, 2023

Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh .......... Michael Bracewell who !>!??

What a capture !  .. .. can you guess, who the bowler is ?? !!  ??

 


After a thrilling last-over finish in Hyderabad, India romped to an eight-wicket victory in Raipur on the back of an inspired performance from their quick bowlers to take the series 2-0 with one match to go. India's domination started with a display of swing and seam with great accuracy to bowl New Zealand out for 108 in under 35 overs in an international debut for the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium.  The reflex return catch taken by Hardik Pandya was real class !! – something on this stadium at Naya Raipur, Chattisgarh.

 


Veer Narayan Singh (1795–1857) inspired the freedom fighters; he hailed   from Sonakhan, Chhattisgarh. He spearheaded the 1857 war of Indian independence in Chhattisgarh. He was hanged by the British  at Jaistambh Chowk of Raipur, Chhattisgarh.  Considered  "The 1st Chhattisgarhi freedom fighter",  his  ancestors were from Gond tribal group. He was thirty-five years old when he became the landlord of Sonakhan, Youngest landlord in the region.  The British arrested him in 1856 for looting a trader's grain stocks and distributing it amongst the poor in a severe famine year. He  escaped from prison, reached Sonakhan and formed an army of 500 men. Under the leadership of Smith, a powerful British army was dispatched to crush the Sonakhan army. Veer Narayan Singh's martyrdom has been resurrected in the 1990s and he has become a potent symbol of Chhattisgarhi pride.  He was executed on 10 December 1857 at Jaistambh Chowk of Raipur, Chhattisgarh

Today’s T20I was played at Naya Raipur in the stadium named after him.

In the first Onedayer at Hyderabad, from  131 for 6, New Zealand mounted a stunning comeback to get close to a target of 350.  Shubman   Gill became the youngest double-centurion in ODIs before Bracewell made a game out of a chase of 350 from 130 for 6 with a sensational 140 off 78 balls. Eventually New Zealand were within two sixes - Bracewell had hit 10 already - of levelling scores when they lost their last wicket with four balls to go.   Bracewell, who ?  

In Dec 2011 -  in a low scoring Test, Aussies had the match totally in their control chasing a modest 241 and cruising at 159/2 – it turned out to be different at Hobart, Tasmania.  Can you imagine a Team getting bowled out for 150 on the first day and still winning the match ? –  James Pattinson’s 5 for 51 pushed down Kiwis without Daniel Vettori and Ross Taylor standing in to a low score; but Chris Martin, debutant Boult and Doug Bracewell with 3 apiece ensured a slender lead for NZ bowling out Australians for a paltry 136.  

We had heard of John Bracewell, the tall spinner who did well in Indian soil, decades back.   After Phil Hughes got out early, at drinks on 4th day, Australia were cruising at 94/1 with Warner making 60 of those.  Khwaja was out at 122 – still the victory very much looked that of Aussies.    At 159 they lost Ponting and Clarke and the 190s was jinxed as they lost Haddin, Siddle, Pattinson, Starc  and suddenly defeat was staring at them.  It was the tall Doug Bracewell who did all the damage which until then was expertly guided by David Warner who made a very good century.  In the end, there were so many referrals, which went against the Black Caps and with less than 10 to score, an Aussie victory looked a reality – then with 8 to be scored, Bracewell cleaned up Nathan Lyon to bring about a New Zealand win after decades.     

The test ever would be remembered for the heroics of Douglas Andrew John Bracewell only 21 years of age who with that lost wicket had figures of 6/40.  it was  only his third Test  after his debut against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo in Nov 2011.  He is the nephew of John Bracewell.  

Brendon Bracewell was one of four brothers who played first-class cricket, and as a right-arm fast bowler he was picked to tour England in 1978 as an 18-year-old on the strength of three first-class matches. He made an immediate impression in his debut at The Oval where he removed Graham Gooch and Mike Brearley in his opening burst.  Years later, played John Bracewell, a  resourceful offspinner with a high action, and a useful, hard-hitting batsman.   He took three six-fors, all of them in New Zealand wins, the most famous of which was at Auckland in 1985-86. Bracewell's 6 for 32 helped the Kiwis to a victory that made them the first side to beat Australia in two series in one winter, and he became the first New Zealand spinner to take a ten-for.  He returned to New Zealand, as the national coach, in September 2003. He guided New Zealand through a moderately successful period and took them to his first World Cup as coach with momentum having won the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy for the first time.  

 


From their family, another - Mark Andrew Bracewell too played first class Cricket in New Zealand and the hero of 1st ODI at Hyderabad was his son.   The latest member of the Bracewell dynasty to represent New Zealand, Michael Bracewell  made a late introduction to international cricket when he was handed his ODI cap in 2022, playing three times against Netherlands. He was subsequently included in New Zealand's squad for their Test tour of England, and won a debut at Trent Bridge after the captain, Kane Williamson, was ruled out by a positive Covid test on the eve of the match.

Nephew of former internationals John and Brendon, and son of Otago first-class cricketer Mark, it should be no surprise that Michael began playing cricket when he was five.    

The Super Smash innings - the highest T20 score in New Zealand - encouraged Bracewell to sign up for the 2022 IPL auction, but his name didn't come up for bidding either then or at the 2023 auction. The Hyderabad special, though, is sure to have made an impression on IPL insiders. Wasim Jaffer, the Punjab Kings batting coach, is one of them - he called Bracewell's six-hitting "mesmerising".  

On that eventful day, Bracewell took the game deep and tense and brought Kiwis almost 2 shots closer to victory but failed so close.  Bracewell has already earned a deal with Worcestershire for the Vitality T20 Blast. The IPL may soon be ready for 'the Beast' too.  He started  as a top-order batter, but has now stepped up as a finisher. He also bowls offspin and can keep wicket if needed.   In July 2022,  playing his 2nd T2oI,  Bracewell became the third New Zealand man to take a T20I hat-trick after Oram and Southee.  

Before  concluding, the photo at the start is :    .. .. John Bracewell delivery way back in 1983 – scanned from a book by Patrick Eagar, Collins Publishers, London.

 
With regards – S. Sampathkumar
21.1.2023