those days !!! ~ cycle-bell was a luxury !!

If you are above 50!  - you may relate to this well !!  ~ the music of a cycle bell ! (did your family own a bi-cycle ! and what age, did you venture out alone on a cycle ?).  It is not self-pity but way back in mid 1970s when we were studying – many of my classmates would walk to school bare-footed – a good slipper was a luxury those days !   .. .. when we finished our College, our dream aspiration was a Bank clerk job of Rs.1000 pm salary and a two-wheeler as a proud possession. 

Most people aspire to become rich ! – and there is no answer to the Q – when would one feel having reached their aspirations !!  In English novels, a person from a poor background would rise to astronomical heights – having reached there – they would buy Private jets !!  [they come down in life  is another story!]

 

Most people here aspire for a Car and a house !  - and perhaps some air travel !!  The price of private jet travel in India varies significantly based on several factors, including the type of aircraft, distance traveled, and the duration of the trip. A light jet like a Citation Mustang or CJ2 could cost ₹2.5 to ₹4 lakh per hour. Private jet ownership is a status symbol often associated with the ultra-wealthy, including celebrities, business moguls, and royalty. Bigtime personalities like Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, and celebrities like Tom Cruise and Jackie Chan are some who own jets.    

Elsewhere, Kim Soo Hyun is believed to have rushed to close a deal for one of his three Galleria Forêt apartments in Seoul’s Seongsu Dong. Speculation has been rife that the K-drama star did this to fund the looming lawsuits filed by former advertisers who dropped him post the Kim Sae Ron case and are now seeking millions in damages. Meanwhile, Soo Hyun’s legal team has challenged the evidence on which the advertisers have based their lawsuit, claiming that the material provided by Garo Sero is fabricated. If that turns out to be true, the advertisers might land in trouble. Hours after the report surfaced, some insiders suggested the news isn’t exactly how it’s being shown, and the sale of the apartment had actually been pre-planned.  

The dictionary meaning of ‘luxury’ is :   

1: a condition of abundance or great ease and comfort : sumptuous environmentlived in luxury

2a: something adding to pleasure or comfort but not absolutely necessaryone of life's luxuries

b: an indulgence in something that provides pleasure, satisfaction, or ease  

In economics, a luxury good (or upmarket good) is a good for which demand increases more than proportionally as income rises, so that expenditures on the good become a greater proportion of overall spending. Luxury goods are in contrast to necessity goods, where demand increases proportionally less than income. Luxury goods is often used synonymously with superior goods. The word "luxury" originated from the Latin word luxuria, which means exuberance, excess, abundance.  

Luxury goods have high income elasticity of demand: as people become wealthier, they will buy proportionately more luxury goods. This also means, however, that should there be a decline in income its demand will drop more than proportionately. Income elasticity of demand is not constant with respect to income, and may change sign at different levels of income. That is to say, a luxury good may become a necessity good or even an inferior good at different income levels.  

For many – a car is luxury – those days, cars with AC were different than its normal ones – now AC in a car is a bare necessity ! A luxury car is a car that provides increased levels of comfort, equipment, amenities, quality, performance, and status relative to regular cars for an increased price. Traditionally, most luxury cars were large vehicles, though smaller sports-oriented models were always produced.   

While the debate around nepotism continues to stir Bollywood, one star kid has silently emerged as the most successful—not just in fame but fortune too. Hrithik Roshan, son of filmmaker Rakesh Roshan, is now reportedly the richest star kid in Indian cinema, with a staggering net worth of Rs 3130 crore, according to a GQ India report.  Hrithik made his iconic debut in 2000 with Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai, which became an instant blockbuster. Over the past two decades, he has delivered multiple hits, cementing his place among Bollywood’s top-tier actors.  Hrithik’s wealth extends far beyond the silver screen. Apart from his acting fees—he reportedly charged Rs 50 crore for Fighter—he earns from brand endorsements, high-value real estate, his production house Filmkraft, and his fitness and lifestyle label HRX, estimated to be worth Rs 7300 crore.  The star owns a sea-facing luxury home in Mumbai and a lavish farmhouse in Lonavala. His luxury car collection includes a Rolls-Royce Ghost Series 2, Mercedes Maybach, and Maserati Spyder.

 

Life may change, people may or may not reach their aspirational levels – for everyone - a healthy life is the ultimate luxury !  - one cannot forget the fact that a cycle and its bell were luxuries for us when we grew up !!

 

Regards – S Sampathkumar
10.7.2025 

அதே கண்கள் ~ Same Eyes

 

அதே கண்கள்  ~  Same Eyes

 

A rich family of brothers and a sister (Kanchana), takes care of a native doctor (vaithian )-cum-musician. On the day one of the brothers is to leave on a holiday with his wife (G. Sakunthala), the wife finds him hanging from the ceiling. He has been murdered, says top cop (‘Major’ Sundararajan). Later, there is a murder attempt on the widow too, but she escapes. However, the incident leaves her mentally disturbed. 

அதே கண்கள் 1967ம் ஆண்டு வெளிவந்த தமிழ்த் திரைப்படம். ஏ. சி. திருலோகச்சந்தர் இயக்கத்தில் வெளிவந்த இத்திரைப்படத்தில் ரவிச்சந்திரன், காஞ்சனா மற்றும் பலரும் நடித்திருந்தனர். 

Athey Kangal (literally - The Same Eyes)   mystery thriller film written and directed by A. C. Tirulokchandar was released in 1967. The film starred Ravichandran and Kanchana.  It focused  on a girl's family being stalked by a masked murderer, and her lover's attempts to apprehend him. The movie was produced by A. V. Meiyappan under Balasubramanian & Co, a subsidiary of his company AVM Productions. It was simultaneously filmed in Telugu as Ave Kallu, with Kanchana reprising her role.   

AVM Productions built a huge house set for Mehrban (1967); however AV Meiyappan felt the richness of the set was never felt in the film so he decided not to dismantle the set. Director AC Tirulokchandar who visited the set felt this house would fit in for a film in the thriller genre and decided to make a film on in this set,  which became Athey Kangal.  A Post graduate [MA] – Thirulokachander was among the most successful film makers.  He  started working   in Newtone Studios under the name A.C.T. Chandar. Then he worked in Citadel Studios  and wrote the screenplay for the hit film, Vijayapuri Veeran, an adaptation of The Three Musketeers .   

Pic taken this morning at  Sri Parthasarathi swami thirukkovil  with kudai jollar masquerading  our friend Prasath Rao

 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
9.7.2025

he black stork (Ciconia nigra)

 

The black stork (Ciconia nigra) is a large bird in the stork family Ciconiidae.

 

It was first described in the 10th edition of his Systema Naturae  of the Swedish botanist, zoologist and physician Carl Linnaeus

[Nikon D70 – F8; Exp 1/1000; ISO 250]

~ அழகான ! எருமை மாடுகள் !!

 

பாதை மாறிப் போகும்போது ஊரும் வந்தே சேராது

தாளம் மாறிப் போடும்போது ராகம் தோன்றாது.. … 

 

~ அழகான ! எருமை மாடுகள் !!

 

Buffaloes – were aplenty and used to roam carefree on the streets of Triplicane; but, somehow, not seeing them on the roads these days.

 

A pic taken a few years ago !!

7.7.2025

 

India thrashes England at Birmingham despite storms !!

As the Indian team set its sail bound for England – critics were vociferous in saying that this was the weakest batting and poor bowling line-up to tour UK.   Happy that this young team has proved them wrong. 

In 4 innings, they have scored very well and today – day 5 at Birmingham in test no. 2591 (after losing the 1^st test of the Series) – England still were speaking about a possible win.  Marcus Trescothick , England's assistant coach   talked about England's situation ahead of day 5 of the ongoing Edgbaston clash against India stating that their side would still probably push for a win when 536 were still needed with 7 wickets in hand.  

This morning it appeared as though rain may play spoil-sport as storms pushed the start time to 12.40 pm – curtailing 10 of allotted 90 overs .. ..  in a test where 1692 runs were scored, India won !    

Sasaram   is a historical city and a municipal corporation region in the Rohtas district of Bihar state. The city served as the capital of the Sur dynasty during Sher Shah Suri's rule over India in the 16th century, and was residence place sub capital of epic monarch Sahastrabahu (Kartivirya Arjuna).  Sasaram and the Kaimur Range contain waterfalls, lakes, rivers and picturesque locations. During the Vedic age, Sasaram was a part of the ancient Kashi kingdom. Sasaram's name derives from Sahastrarama, meaning "one thousand groves".  It is the birthplace of the Afghan king Sher Shah Suri, who ruled over Delhi, much of northern India, present-day Pakistan, and eastern Afghanistan for five years as the Sur Empire, after defeating the Mughal Emperor Humayun. Many of Sher Shah Suri's governmental practices were adopted by the Mughals and later the British Raj, including taxation, administration, and the building of a paved road from Kabul to Bengal, also called the Grand Trunk Road.

 

In Dec 2024, at  Gabba,  Indian fans roared as though the match had been won -  in the dressing room, Virat Kohli shared high-fives and captain Rohit Sharma had a huge smile on his face. "It's always nice to see your bowlers going out there scoring some runs," said KL Rahul. Trailing by 193 runs is little cause for celebration,  yet!!! – for a team that has just lost a Test badly and in dire straits in this – avoiding follow-on was sort of winning a game within the game !  Mind it has been a rain marred game, yet India could have easily lost the plot.  That day,  when Ravindra Jadeja hooked Pat Cummins to deep square-leg,  he was brilliantly caught by Mitchell Marsh, India  needed 33 to avoid the follow-on as Akash Deep (Test average 6.42) walked out to join Jasprit Bumrah (Test average of 6.97).  Akash played a cameo saving the Test is history as he made a bigger history today at Birmingham. 

The score card happily reads :  India 587 (Gill 269, Jadeja 89, Jaiswal 87, Bashir 3-167) and 427 for 6 dec (Gill 161, Jadeja 69, Pant 65, Rahul 55, Tongue 2-93) beat England 407 (Smith 184, Brook 158, Siraj 6-70, Akash Deep 4-88) and 271 (Smith 88, Akash 6-99) by 336 runs.  

At Birmingham, the Captain Shubman Gill and coach Gautam Gambhir started with an existential crisis of leaving out Jasprit Bumrah, conserving him for the later part of the Series, lost the toss, woke up to see storm lashing – yet India beat England by a colossal huge margin of 336 runs in this 2^nd test. 

The man of the match fittingly was Shubman Gill for this 269 & 161 – the unlikely hero was this bowler from Sasaram in Bihar. Akash was initially dissuaded to play cricket by his father, but he left for Durgapur, West Bengal, in 2010 with the pretext of finding a job and found support from his uncle to join a local cricket academy. However, family tragedies  forced him to leave the game for three years.  Today, fittingly, it was Akash Deep, Bumrah's "replacement", who capped off India's dominance. A maiden five-wicket haul of 6 for 99, dismissed England for 271 in their second innings. He took 10 in the match, becoming only the second Indian bowler since Chetan Sharma in 1986, to use English conditions to such devastating effect.  Fittingly, Gill took  the catch for the final wicket, off Akash, both celebrating wildly themselves before meeting for a hug before both were engulfed by gleeful team-mates. 

The scale of defeat made a mockery of the notion England might have fancied chasing a target of 608. At no point were they in with any chance.  Gill is one of nine batters with a century and a double-century in a Test. Among Indians, only Gavaskar had done the double before Gill.

 

Before this match Akash had 15 wickets in 7 matches – now it is 25 ! – he made his debut against England at Ranchi in Feb 2024 and has played against Bangladesh in Chennai & Kanpur; Two tests against New Zealand at Pune & Wankhede, Mumbai; two against Australia at Brisbane and Melbourne … .. and historic at Birmingham.   

 
Well played Team India
 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
6.7.2025 

Expressions of a Nadaswaram Vidwan

Expressions of a Nadaswaram vidwan

  

Even the mighty tumble !! ~ skeletons of JAWA

 

Even the mighty tumble !!  How fond are you of vehicles ! especially two-wheelers.  Cars may be status symbols but a few decades ago, owning a two-wheeler was macho !! 

A few decades ago, there were not so many automobiles on road – two wheelers were few.  There were scooters like Vijay, Bajaj, Vespa and Lambretta. Motor-bikes were considered macho… the brands seen on road were – Rajdoot 175 cc; Jawa [later Yezdi] 250cc with twin silencers; and the most princely Enfield Bullet 350 cc…  A Bullet motorcycle on road was the cynosure of all eyes ~ many would put a rubber mat improperly cut near its silencer that would produce thudding sound as the vehicle went majestically past.. not very fast and it was stated  by people that Bullet can actually cruise at walking speed too….  ~ it was ‘Royal Enfield Bullet’ to be precise – exhibiting its British connection and Enfield Motors was of Madras origin…. a la CSK of yore.  It was the bike used by Police  for patrolling too…… 

In fact in early 1970s there were no mopeds.  Jawa with silencers on both sides was a hit – it was of Chechoslovakian origin, named after its founder, Frantisek Janecek, by concatenating the first letters of Janeček and Wanderer.  In India,  Ideal Jawa (India) Ltd based in Mysore sold licensed Jawa motorcycles beginning in 1960 under the brand name Jawa and from 1973 as Yezdi.  Then 100cc bikes clamoured in and our first love was Ind-Suzuki 100cc, sleek and elegant in metallic colours  - in a Country where people think of ‘fuel economy’ – ‘kithna dethe’ – there is no place of powerful cousins !!

 

This pic may sound melancholic to some who owned such vehicles !!   "Even the mighty tumble" is a common idiom that means that even the most powerful, successful, or impressive individuals or entities can experience failure, decline, or downfall. It highlights the idea that no one is immune to setbacks or defeat.   Jim Collins' book "How the Mighty Fall" discusses the stages of decline that even successful companies can experience. The book details how companies can move from success to decline due to factors like hubris, undisciplined pursuit of more, denial of risk, and grasping for salvation.

In mid 1970s and 1980s – West Indies Cricket team was most feared – but "Even the Mighty Crumble"  and team not declined, deteriorated but shattered.  The phrase advises caution to all those  at the top to remain vigilant and humble to avoid a fall.

 

Regards – S Sampathkumar
5.7.2025
 

Andhaman Kathali !!

Nature’s unbridled beauty – Andaman and its islands !

 

Half a century or so ago, there were so many Sivaji Ganesan fans, who would be exhilarated by every moment of Sivaji.. .. for those and for many this song –lyrics of Kaviyarasu Kannadasan, music of MS Viswanathan, sung by Vani Jayaram and KJ Yesudas would ring a bell !!    

 அந்த மானைப் பாருங்கள் அழகு! இளம் பாவை என்னோடு உறவு!

அந்த தென்னை தாலாட்டும் இளநீர்-இந்த தீவில் பெண் தூவும் பன்னீர்

இந்தமேகக் கூந்தல் கலைகள்-கடல் நீரில் ஆடும் அலைகள்

உந்தன் மோக ராக நாதம்-இந்த  ஏழை பாடும் வேதம்!

The hero is a  millionaire who believes money alone is God and is capable of solving all problems. He is the guardian of his boss' daughter who wants him to buy a statue by a sculptor she is crazy about. She wants him to come to Andaman for the same. However, in the past, Shivaji was an inhabitant of Andaman and was in love  of Sujatha. They had married in secrecy and at a time when she was pregnant, he goes to bring a  doctor who insults them. In a rage, he kills the doctor and in fear, runs away from Andaman. A millionaire hires him as a servant, sees his good heart and after a good many years, leaves all the money to him with the clause that he has to keep his daughter happy. 

Andaman Kadhali -   directed by Muktha Srinivasan, produced by Muktha Ramaswamy and written by A. S. Prakasam starring  Sivaji Ganesan, Sujatha, Chandra Mohan and Thengai Srinivasan, as released on 26 January 1978 and ran full houses. It was  remade in Telugu as Andaman Ammayi

 

            Andaman and Nicobar islands is now named ‘Sri Vijayapuram’ – removal of colonial vestige.  

Port Blair is the capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and also the local administrative sub-division (tehsil) of the islands, the headquarters for the district of South Andaman, and the territory's only notified town.  It is connected with mainland India by both air and sea. It is a two to three-hour flight from mainland India to Port Blair's Veer Savarkar International Airport and three to four days by sea to reach Kolkata, Chennai, or Visakhapatnam from Haddo Wharf in the city. It is home to several museums and the major naval base INS Jarawa of the Indian Navy.

The most important place is the historic Cellular Jail is in the city, and nearby small islands such as Corbyn's Cove, Wandoor, Ross Island and Viper Island were once home to British colonists.  The city was named after Captain Archibald Blair, a British colonial navy official of the East India Company.  

At the start, an aerial photo of Andamans taken by me a few years ago and at the start Ananda Vikadan review of movie Andaman Kathali

 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
4.7.2025 

happiness for Triplicane people is .... Temple festival !!

 

Brahmothsavam is a joyous occasion – it is divine bliss

Enjoy the  happiness through the smiles of the Perumal photographers of Thiruvallikkeni – Azhagiyasingar Aani brahmothsavam 2025

வாழை இலை உனக்குதான ~ Banana leaf

 

Banana leaves are large, flexible, and waterproof.  In South India, traditionally food is served in banana leaf especially the long one.  They impart an aroma to food that is cooked in or served on them.  The leaves are not themselves eaten and are discarded after the contents are consumed. 

Chakravyuham   directed by Balu Mahendra starring Suman, Gautami, and Archana hit the screens in 1992. The music was composed by Maestro Illayaraja.  The film was dubbed in Tamil as Vasanthame Varuga – was not a commercial success. 

Not sure whether you have heard this kuthu pattu – “வாழை இலை உனக்குதான”   - from the movie Vasanthame varuga – sung by SPB, Mano, Chitra, SP Sailaja, lyrics Muthulingam and music of Illayaraja

 

Here are plantain leaves transported to retail shops .. ..

 

3.7.2025

Wall hanging !!

 

Wall hanging

 

Often in tough times (especially those like Covid) - people just hang on. Sometimes the thread is invisible but the hope is always strong !

On offer, on Sale !!!

 

People (read women) halt at shops with board ‘on Sale’ !  Discount sales techniques involve various strategies to lower the price of products or services temporarily, aiming to boost sales, move inventory, and attract customers. These strategies include offering percentage-based discounts, buy-one-get-one-free deals, tiered discounts based on spending, flash sales, and more.

 

What your read on the  board is incidental and irrelevant - don't trouble them calling for retail or bulk supplies !!

 

Horse-power ! ~ குதிரை தண்ணி அடிக்குமா !

 

Horsepower measures the rate at which work is done. It indicates how much force can be applied over a distance in a given amount of time.  James Watt, inventor of the steam engine, coined the term "horsepower" to compare the power of his engines to the work that horses could perform.

 

Horsepower (hp) is a unit of measurement for power,   initially defined as the power of a horse, specifically the rate at which a horse could lift 33,000 pounds one foot in one minute. One horsepower is approximately equal to 746 watts.  Horsepower is used to rate the power output of engines in various machines, including cars, motorcycles, lawnmowers, and even jet engines.  The Q here is : 

குதிரை தண்ணி அடிக்குமா !

Scientific Sales !! ~ techno marketing !!!

 

Scientific Sales !!  ~  techno marketing !!!

The commodities were being bought as hot cakes !

 

Barometric method of forecasting ! ~ what will be future of products sold like these ?   Will Delphi method or any Demand forecasting work ?? – confused !!

The Seller would not be – for they don’t realize on marketing tools and techniques but tries to read their market  .. .. simple logic of doing  what their customer want !!!

buzzing bee and flower

 

பூவில் வண்டு கூடும் கண்டு - பூவும் கண்கள் மூடும் !
பூவினம் மாநாடு போடும் - வண்டுகள் சங்கீதம் பாடும்

Two-legged standing Squirrel - no effort Corn !!

Squirrels are members of the family Sciuridae, a family that includes small or medium-sized rodents.  Squirrels are four-legged animals. Like all mammals, squirrels have four limbs (two forelegs and two hind legs) that they use for walking, running, climbing, and jumping. Their strong limbs and flexible ankles allow them to navigate trees and other surfaces effectively. In most squirrel species, the hind limbs are longer than the forelimbs, while all species have either four or five toes on each foot. 

மந்திரத்தால் மாங்காய் விழுமா !  நம் கண்கள் நம்மை ஏமாற்றுமா !! 

மந்திரத்தில் மாங்காய் விழாது.  அது  வெற்றியை அடைவதற்கான குறுக்கு வழி. எல்லா குறுக்கு வழிகளும் நேர் பாதையைவிட துன்பம் தரக்கூடியவைதான். நமது அற்புத சனாதன தர்மம் - ஒருவன் தன் கடமைகளை சிறப்பாக செய்தால் அதுவே சிறந்த ஆன்மீக முயற்சி என்கிறது. தியாகம், தியானம், தவம், பக்தி, யோகம்… இவ்வாறாக பல ஆன்மீக முறைகளை முன் வைக்கிறது. இவற்றில் அவரவர்க்கு பொருத்தமானதை அவரவர் எடுத்துக் கொள்ளலாம்.

 

இங்கே இந்த அணில் கண்மூடி - இரண்டு கால்களால் நின்று, வாய் திறந்ததும், தரையில் கிடந்த சோளம் தானாக சென்று - அதன் வாயில் அமர்ந்தது என்னே விந்தை. 

Sunday wisdom from someone who tries to specialize in doing  nothing !

 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
29.6.2025 

Maruthani / மருதாணி . .. ... @ Kairavini Pushkarini Triplicane

 

One may not know - Lawsonia inermis, a flowering plant and the sole species of the genus Lawsonia. It is ‘Henna / Mehndi / Maruthani / மருதாணி .. .. we are used to hearing that common sparrows are not found, due to cellphone towers ! .. .. here is a henna shrub inside Kairavini thirukulam – and there were than 20 perched on it .. in the photo you can perhaps spot more than a handful !  (2019 photo)

skillful driving in a small lane !!

 

Driving is a great skill .. see the lorry in a small lane in Sowcarpet area – literally no place on left or right even for a pedestrian and the driver could still maneuver the big vehicle on that lane.  I would faint doing this even  on a two-wheeler  !!

மாதுளம் பூ (pomegranate)

 

Flower of Punica granatum - மாதுளம் பூ (pomegranate)

Night flight ~ photo shoot !!

It was around 8.15 pm – visibility was low – sky was dark – at a far distance, appeared an aeroplane .. .. could see some lights with eye but was not able to spot it on camera.

 

With some difficulty took a photo, then increased ISO manifold and took another – in a few minutes another one came along ! – not great photos but considering the darkness !! 

 

In South America, the daunting mountains and dangerous weather have hampered the operations of Trans-Andean European Air Mail, a 1930s-era airline. Charged with delivering a serum to stem an outbreak of infantile paralysis in Rio de Janeiro, Auguste Pellerin conquers his fears, but is reprimanded by the airline's stern director, A. Rivière for coming in late.  

Determined to make the night flight program work, Rivière sends pilot Jules Fabian and his wireless operator on another dangerous flight. The pair are caught in a torrential rain storm and when Madame Fabian comes to the headquarters, she realizes that her husband is overdue. The two airmen, flying blind over the ocean, run out of fuel and choose to jump, but drown. Rivière refuses to quit and orders a Brazilian pilot to take the mail to Rio, but the pilot's wife   pleads   him not to go. Despite the dangers, the night mail is delivered on time.  

The plot of - Night Flight (also known as Dark to Dawn),  a 1933 American pre-Code aviation drama film produced by David O. Selznick, distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, directed by Clarence Brown and starring John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore, Clark Gable, Helen Hayes, Robert Montgomery and Myrna Loy.  The movei was  based on the 1931 novel of the same name, which won the Prix Femina the same year, by French writer and pioneering aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Based on Saint-Exupéry's personal experiences while flying on South American mail routes, Night Flight recreated a 24-hour period of the operations of a fictional airline based on Aéropostale, Trans-Andean European Air Mail.  In 1942, Night Flight was withdrawn from circulation as a result of a legal dispute between MGM and Saint Exupéry. The film was unavailable for 69 years and could not be seen until 2011, when the legal obstacles were finally settled.

Interesting !

 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
28.6.2025
  

sighting moonram Pirai

 

Moon has enamoured mankind from time immemorial.  It is always pleasant to look at the sky and sight Moon especially ‘Moonram pirai’ – the third day after New Moon.

 

Chandra Darshan is the observance of sighting the moon after the Amavasya (the new moon). In Hinduism Chandra Darshan or Moon Sighting holds immense religious significance. Devotees on this day worship Chandra Dev and offer special prayers. It is believed to be very auspicious to see the moon just after the Amavasya. 

ஒவ்வொரு அமாவாசைக்கு பிறகு வரும் மூன்றாவது நாள் மூன்றாம் பிறை.  அமாவாசைக்கு மறுநாள் சந்திரன் தெரியாது. ஆனால், மூன்றாம் நாளான துவிதியை திதியில் தெரியும் நிலவு அழகாகவும், பிரகாசமாகவும் இருக்கும். மூன்றாம் பிறையானது இரவு வருவதற்கு முன்னே 6.30 மணியளவில் தோன்றும் பிறையாகும். 

வானில் தோன்றும் மூன்றாம் பிறை நிலவைத் தரிசிப்பதையே, ‘பிறை காணுதல்’ என்று கூறுகின்றனர். பஞ்சாங்கத்திலும் மக்கள் மூன்றாம் பிறையை பார்க்க வேண்டும் என்பதற்காக சந்திர தரிசனம் குறிப்பிடப்பட்டுள்ளது. மூன்றாம் பிறை   சந்திர தரிசனம் காண்பவர்களுக்கு ஞாபக சக்தி அதிகரிக்கும். மனக்குழப்பம் நீங்கும். கண் பார்வை தெளிவாகும்.

 

Today took couple of photos of Crescent moon in its waxing phase (One over the Rajagopuram of Sri Parthasarathi swami thirukkovil)  – though it is day 3 (Wednesday being Amavasai) – understand that today it is 4^th crescent and not Moondram pirai.

 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
27.6.2025

stubborn Donkey !!

 

When horses are scared they often will jump or bolt. When Donkeys are scared they will freeze and investigate whatever scared them, which has given them the reputation of being stubborn.

A Sea-gull

 

It was morning, and the new sun sparkled gold across the ripples of a gentle sea. A mile from shore a fishing boat chummed the  water.  and  the word for Breakfast Flock flashed through  the  air,  till  a  crowd  of  a  thousand seagulls came to dodge and fight for bits of food. It was another busy day beginning.  Seagulls, as you know, never falter, never stall.  

Words - the starting lines of the famous “Jonathan Livingstone Seagull”     about a seagull who is trying to learn about flying, personal reflection, freedom, and self-realization.  

Gulls, or colloquially seagulls, are seabirds of the family Laridae in the suborder Lari.

Good morning message with a Seagull picture !

27.6.2025

Remembering that Spinner who debuted at Chepauk in Sept 1979

Unlikely you may identify this Indian spinner who took more than hundred Test wickets.  Remember Dec 6, 1980 – on that day - Intelsat V F-2, then named Intelsat 502, was successfully launched but back home we followed on radio the 3^rd match of  Benson & Hedges World Series Cup  !!

 

September 1979 was a month of significant events, including the Pioneer 11 spacecraft's visit to Saturn, the launch of the ESPN network, and a nuclear flash detection by a US satellite. Domestically, it was a time of political instability in India, with unrest and extremist violence in several states. 

Not sure whether to call a bespectacled spinner who made debut at ripe 32 lucky – in someways yes, considering the dominance of the famous quartet – Bishan Bedi, Erapalli Prasanna, Bhagwat Chandrasekhar and Srinivasan Venkatraghaven, though Venkat himself suffered.  It was an era when the great left arm spinners – Padmakar Shivalkar, Rajender Goel, Rajinder Singh Hans, B Vijayakrishna, S Vasudevan were unable to break into the National Team.   After him, so many left arm spinners have played for India - Dhiraj Parsanna,  Dilip Doshi, Raghuram Bhat, Maninder Singh, Ravi Shastri, WV Raman, Venkatapathi Raju, Sunil Joshi, Nilesh Kulkarni, Rahul Sanghvi, Murali Karthik, Pragyan Ojha, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadhav and quite a few more in Ranji circuit .. ... 

Looking back, this  bespectacled man debuted in the 1st Test of against Australia at this same venue,  Chepauk.  It was Test no. 855 played in Sept 1979.  Kim Hughes and Sunil Gavaskar were the Captains. Playing first Australia made 390, thanks to centuries by Alan Border [162] and Kim Hughes [100].  From 2 for 75, they had a 222 run partnership.  Kapil Dev bowled well taking 2 wickets; it was the debutant Dilip Doshi who stole the show taking 6 for 103 off his 43 overs.  India replied soundly making 425 ~ surprisingly no centuries but 50s by Gavaskar, Kirmani who came in as nightwatchman, Vengsarkar, Yashpal Sharma and 83 by Kapil Dev.  John Higgs, a leg spinner took 7 wickets.   Australians started their 2nd innings towards the end of the 4th day and ended up making 212/7 with half centuries by Hilditch and Border.  Venkatraghavan took 3 and Doshi got 2 wickets.  The match ended in a tame draw…… that was a 6 match series.   In the next test another good spinner, Shivlal Yadav debuted. 

Doshi is one of only four Test bowlers who  played their first Test after the age of thirty, yet went on to take more than 100 wickets, the other three being Clarrie Grimmett, Saeed Ajmal and Ryan Harris. ‘Spin Punch’ was his auto-biography. Doshi is probably one of the few cricketers who after retiring from the game chose an entirely different playing field.  He was the Managing Director of Entrack India, a firm that marketted Montblanc pens in India.  

 

Dilip Doshi, the former India left-arm spinner,  passed away on 23.6.2025 at  77, reportedly due to heart issues in London, where he was living for several decades.  The classical left arm spinner   took 114 Test wickets in 33 appearances, including six five-wicket hauls. He also picked up 22 wickets in 15 ODIs at an economy rate of 3.96. Doshi also played first-class cricket for Saurashtra, Bengal, Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire. 

In modern Cricket, Doshi may never be picked for ODI or T20I considering his batting skills and more so, his slow movement and lack of throwing arm. He would gently lob the ball – in fact sending it in an arc with bowling style and batsmen would steal another single for the throw.  Yet he made his debut on 6.12.1980 at Gabba against New Zealand in Tri-series.

 

Interestingly alongside Doshi, - 4 other Indians too debuted – Kirti Azad, Roger Binny, Sandeep Patil & Thirumalai Echampadi Srinivasan  India won that match by 66 runs.   

At Melbourne, Australia"s batsmen were stifled by a slow, uneven pitch on which the Indians, particularly Patil at medium pace and Doshi, bowled extremely well. Chasing 208, the Australians were given a promising start by Hughes and Dyson, who put on 60 from the first nineteen overs. India, on the other hand, having been put in, had begun disastrously. With half their overs used up they were 73 for five. But Man of the Match Patil, with a furious 64 off 67 balls, and Kirmani, with 48 not out from 53 balls, brought the innings to life.  

In domestic Cricket, Doshi made his first-class debut with Saurashtra, but played most of his Ranji Trophy cricket with Bengal. It was for Bengal that he achieved the remarkable figures of 6 wickets for 6 runs against Assam in 1974. He ended up with  318 wickets at an impressive average of 18.33. He also played first class cricket for Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire in the English midlands. Overall, his first class career had  898 wickets He was heavily influenced by West Indies legend Garfield Sobers at Nottinghamshire. Doshi made a quick and silent exit from international cricket in the 1980s as he did not agree with the way Indian cricket was being run at the time. Doshi also wrote a honest and compelling account of his cricketing days in a revealing autobiography Spin Punch. 

A story of a great spinner who got his chances very late yet proved his mettle.

 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
26.6.2025