Auto Mantra : சுக்குக்கு மிஞ்சிய வைத்தியமும் !!!!

சீறும் பாம்பை நம்பு !!  சிரிக்கும் பெண்ணை நம்பாதே !

 

இது ஏதோ முதுமொழியோ அல்லது சங்க இலக்கியத்தில் சொல்லப்பட்ட கருத்தோ அல்ல ! -  இந்த சென்னை மாநகரத்தில் நம் கண்ணில் பளிச்சென்று பட, ஆட்டோக்களின் பின்புறத்தில்   பொன்மொழிகளையும், தத்துவங்களையும், கவிதைகளையும்கூட எழுதி வைத்திருப்பார்கள்.  இவற்றின் மூல படைப்பாளி யார் என்பது தெரியாது !!  இதோ இங்கே சங்க பாடல்

 

நளிந்து பலர் வழங்கா செப்பம் துணியின்

முரம்பு கண் உடைந்த பரல் அவல் போழ்வில்

கரந்து பாம்பு ஒடுங்கும் பயம்புமார் உளவே

குறி கொண்டு மரம் கொட்டி நோக்கி . .

 

மரமடர்ந்த காட்டில் ஆள் நடமாட்டம் இல்லாத வழியில் செல்லக் கூடாது. அங்கு வெடிப்பு நிலங்களில் பரல் கற்கள் மூடிய வளைக்குள் பாம்பு இருக்கலாம். பின்னே வருபவர்களுக்கு வழி தெரிவதற்காக மரத்தைக் கல்லால் கொட்டி அடையாளம் செய்து வைத்துவிட்டுச் செல்லுங்கள். அப்படிப்பட்ட இடங்களைக் காணும்போது விறலியர் அதனைச் சுற்றிவந்து வாழ்த்துவர். அவ்வாறு செய்துவிட்டுச் செல்லுங்கள்.  விறலியர் என்பவர்கள் சங்ககாலப் பெண்குரல் இசைக் கலைஞர்கள். விறலியர் இசைக்கருவிகளுடன்  பாடி, பண்ணிசைக்கேற்ப ஆடுவர்.   பாணர்களுடன் இணைந்து கலைகளை நிகழ்த்தியவர்கள் என குறிப்பிடப்படுகிறார்கள்.

 

இந்த பாடல் உள்ள நூல் - சங்க இலக்கியத் தொகுப்புகளுள் ஒன்றான பத்துப்பாட்டு நூல்களுள் ஒன்று மலைபடுகடாம். இத் தொகுப்பிலுள்ள நூல்களுள் இரண்டாவது பெரிய நூல்.  583 அடிகளால் ஆன இப் பாடலை இயற்றியவர், இரணியமுட்டத்துப் பெருங்குன்றூர்ப் பெருங்கெளசிகனார்; பாடப்பட்டவன்:- நன்னன் வேண்மான்; திணை:- பாடாண் திணை; துறை:- ஆற்றுப்படை.    இந்த நூலைக் கூத்தராற்றுப்படை எனவும் குறிப்பிடுவர்.

 

Here is another captivating Auto mantra

 

சுக்குக்கு மிஞ்சிய வைத்தியமும் இல்லை

சுப்ரமணியர்க்கு மிஞ்சிய தெய்வமும் இல்லை !

 

நன்றாக காய வைக்கப்பட்ட இஞ்சியை சுக்கு என அழைக்கிறோம். சுக்கு எளிதில் கெடாது. இதனால் உலர்ந்த இஞ்சியான சுக்கு என்பது இஞ்சியை விட அதிக நாட்களுக்கு வைத்திருந்து பயன்படுத்தலாம். சுக்கை மசாலாப் பொருளாகவோ மருந்தாகவோ அனைத்து பருவங்களிலும் பயன்படுத்தலாம்.

 

Auto mantra : * there is no other better medicine than dry ginger

~ and there is no God other than Lord Subramaniya **

 

Morning wisdom from  தெருவோர பொழுதுபோக்குவான்

 

Regards – S Sampathkumar
30.11.2025 

Sleep !! ~ cat-nap and bull-dozer !!

One thing every human loves is – deep comfortable sleep ! – there are some who enjoy the luxury of a short nap in the Afternoon.  It is known as ‘cat-nap’ !  - ~ what is it for cattle ??  the sleep of a bull is called ‘Bull-dozer’  ??     

The sleep of cattle is called polyphasic sleep, meaning they sleep in short intervals throughout the day and night, and they do not have a specific name for their sleep like "siesta". While they can doze while standing, cows must lie down for deep sleep, including REM sleep. 

Interestingly - Cows can rest in a light, "dozing" sleep while standing up. They can also stand for periods of "power naps" where they are resting but still somewhat aware of their surroundings. This is because their legs are able to lock into place, allowing them to rest without fully collapsing.  For deeper sleep and to enter REM sleep, cows must lie down on their chests with their legs tucked under them, known as sternal recumbency.  The total sleep time for a cow is about 4 hours a day, often split between day and night, though most REM sleep occurs at night.

 

Here are some Cows enjoying their mid-afternoon sleep in front of Sri Parthasarathi Swami temple

 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
29.11.2025 

Angry Birds !! ~ பச்சை கிளிகள் - அழகானவை, அன்பானவை !!

 

பச்சை  கிளிகள் - அழகானவை, அமைதியானவை, அன்பானவை !! .. .. .. இதுதான் நாம் அனைவரும் நினைப்பது !  இல்லாரை எள்ளி நகையாடுவதும் செல்வரைச் சிறப்புச் செய்வதும் உலக இயல்பு !!!  கோபம் (Anger) என்பது மனிதர்களுக்கும் இன்ன பிற உயிரினங்களுக்கும் தோன்றும் கடுமையான உணர்ச்சி.

Anger is “an emotional state that varies in intensity from mild irritation to intense fury and rage.” Anger is one letter short of Danger –  : Whether as a fleeting annoyance or as full-fledged rage, Anger is a completely normal, usually healthy, human emotion. But when it gets out of control and turns destructive, it can lead to problems—problems at work, in your personal relationships, and in the overall quality of your life. Anger can make you feel as though you’re at the mercy of an unpredictable and powerful emotion. Anger can be suppressed, and then converted or redirected. This happens when you hold in your anger, stop thinking about it, and focus on something positive. 

கோபம் (Anger)   சிறிய எரிச்சல் அளவில் இருந்து கடுமையான வெறி கொண்டதாக இருக்கலாம். சங்க இலக்கியத்தில் கதம், சீற்றம், சினம், வெகுளி முதலிய சொற்கள் கோபத்தை உணர்த்தும் சொற்களாகப் பயின்று வந்துள்ளன.  கோபம் என்பது ஒரு ஆக்கிரமிப்பு உணர்ச்சி. இது ஒருவருக்கு மன ரீதியாகவும், உடல் ரீதியாகவும், நடத்தையிலும் மாற்றங்களை ஏற்படுத்தக்கூடியது. கோபத்தை கட்டுப்படுத்துவது முக்கியம் 

அழகான பச்சை கிளிக்கு கூட சிவப்பு மூக்கின் மேல் கோவம் வரும் என்பதே உண்மை இயல்பு நிலை.  

பொன் மானே.. கோபம்.. ஏனோ

காதல் பால் குடம் கள்ளாய்ப் போனது

ரோஜா ஏனடி முள்ளாய்ப் போனது

 

பூக்கள் மோதினால் காயம் நேருமா

தென்றல் கிள்ளினால் ரோஜா தாங்குமா

 

திரைப்படம்: ஒரு கைதியின் டைரி (1984)

இசை:  இசைஞானி  இளையராஜா

பாடியவர்கள்: உன்னி மேனன் & உமா ரமணன்

 

Humans of all age enjoy playing games ! be it physically, on computer and most on Phones.  In  one of the most popular games - players use catapults to fire infuriated birds at pigs hiding inside buildings made of planks. It is a smash hit literally – ‘Angry Birds’ – (how many levels have you cleared !)

 

ஒன்று ஒரு காலில் மற்றொன்று இரண்டு காலில் !!

~   கோப தாக்குதலும் அஞ்சி ஓடுதலும்.

 

- You are given a slingshot to fire your angry birds at pigs who are placed within different variations of structures (such as wood, ice and stone) which progressively get harder and retrieve the eggs that those pesky pigs stole!.... as you advance, you get chance to use varied birds with special abilities.  A blue bird when clicked will split into 3 – there are birds which will explode – some which can drop explosive eggs … there are smaller and larger pigs – the challenge is to destroy all pigs with the available birds – if you use less, you get bonus points … some pigs wear helmets as armor, making them even more resistant to damage, while pigs with crowns can take the most damage. 

The popular ‘Angry Birds’  is a strategy game developed by Finnish computer game developer Rovio Mobile. Inspired primarily by a sketch of stylized wingless birds, the game was first released for Apple's iOS in December 2009.

Interesting !

 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
29.11.2025

a small insect - resilience - Sialkot ODI and an event that shook the Nation

 

Resilience -   the ability to adapt well and recover quickly from difficulties, trauma, or significant sources of stress learnt from a small insect. 

ஒரு கழுதை,  அதன் பின்னால் மற்றோரு கழுதை - கழுதைகளுக்கு பின்னால் நான் - எங்கள் பின்னால் தேசம் !! -  இது என்ன ??

 

This pic taken a few years ago on a rainy day - many of us feel n inconvenienced when it rains, when you find stagnant water !!  .. .. a little insect –  which could not  fly as its wings were  damp, raindrops falling like a bomb nearer – showed resilience, the fighting spirit of  never say die – not giving up attitude – survival instincts are stronger. 

To many of Cricket fans – it would be a news that Mohinder Amarnath, the gritty batsman allrounder, Vice-captain of famous World Cup 1983, did captain India in an ODI.  That was ODI no. 273 – 2nd  ODI against  Pakistan at Sialkot.  It was not exactly bonhomie. After the first Test in Lahore, which the home side had dominated, Gavaskar lashed out at the officiating, saying, "despite the best efforts of the Pakistan umpires to favour the home team, we have managed to draw the Test and that is a miracle. Before embarking upon the tour of Pakistan we expected close decisions, but what happened in the Lahore Test was pre-planned and predetermined."  At Sialkot at Jinnah Stadium, Indian Captain Mohinder Amarnath won the toss - Gavaskar sat the game out with an injury - and decided to bat.  India was 210/3 after 40 overs ~ a good score those days ..   Anshuman Gaekwad and Ghulam Parkar failed; Sandip Patil made 59;  Dilip Vengsarkar was all set to make his maiden century at 94 but came the unusual stoppage.  

From web search understand that the one featured here is ‘Assassin bug’ -    likely a species within the Rhynocoris genus, such as Rhynocoris iracundus. These insects are part of the Reduviidae family and the Harpactorinae subfamily.   Assassin bugs like Tapeinus fuscipennis are voracious predators that help control pest populations in various ecosystems.  They  are characterized by a thin necklike structure connecting the narrow head to the body. Members of the family are notable for their diverse predatory habits, and many use piercing-sucking mouthparts to inject enzymes that liquefy prey tissues. Most live outdoors and prey on other insects.  

Do you know or remember this case - Kehar Singh & Ors vs State (Delhi Admn.) decided by Apex Court on  3 August, 1988 pertaining to a tragic event that shook the Nation - it was a legal battle even when it was seemingly an open-and-shut case, it soon became obvious that every rule in the book would be explored by both sides, and unprecedented arguments and procedures used where necessary. All of 73 witnesses deposed for the prosecution during the 110 hearings spread over 247 days. The defence could only muster three witnesses. Nor did witnesses have an easy time. Every point was contested and every bit of evidence subjected to the minutest scrutiny.  

You may or may not like her – but certainly would feel very anguished by the way she was eliminated.  Indira Gandhi,  charismatic ‘Iron Lady’ of India, was assassinated on the morning of October, 31, 1984.   She was the Prime Minister of India on that bloody day too. The assassination was carried out by her ‘Sikh Bodyguards’ Satwant Singh and Beant Singh. The assassination was reportedly  the aftermath of the ‘Operation Blue Star’ carried out by the Indian Army at her behest.   The Indian Army’s June 1984 assault on the Golden Temple in Amritsar left the Sikh temple heavily damaged. Hundreds of people lost their lives and this included both the militants and the Army. However, what followed the assassination was brutal, the recuperations were massive. For the next four days, the country was engulfed in the fire of riots. The country’s capital bore the most of its brunt.

 
The second para :  - கழுதை an ingenuous attempt to teach ‘Assassination’ to students !!  (Ass + ass + I + Nation).  Do you find this post interesting ! – do leave your feedback !
 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
24.11.2025

 

Albizia lebbeck ! ?? !! ~ வாகை சூடிய எருமை !

வாகை சூடிய எருமை ! ... Sometimes recognitions come on their own ~ while some struggle for visibility.

Albizia lebbeck  may not strike a chord – it is a species of plant in the family Fabaceae, native to the Indian subcontinent and Myanmar. Lebbeck is an astringent, also used by some cultures to treat boils, cough, to treat the eye, flu, gingivitis, lung problems, pectoral problems, is used as a tonic, and is used to treat abdominal tumors.  An astringent  ) is a chemical that shrinks or constricts body tissues. The word derives from the Latin adstringere, which means "to bind fast". 

வாகை, (Albizia lebbeck) என்பது பபேசியே குடும்பத்தைச் சேர்ந்த ஒரு மரமாகும். "வாகை சூடிய" என்றால்  "வெற்றி பெற்ற" அல்லது "வெற்றியைத் தன்வசப்படுத்திய" என்பதாகும்.  பண்டைய தமிழ் வீரர்கள் மற்றும் மன்னர்கள் தாங்கள் போரில் வெற்றி பெற்றதைக் கொண்டாடும் வகையில் வாகை மலர்களை சூடிக்கொண்டனர். ‘போரில் வெற்றிவாகை சூடினார்கள்’ என்ற சொற்றொடர் மிகவும் பிரபலம்.   மருத நிலப்பரப்பிற்கு சொந்தமான மலர் வாகை.  மருதம் விவசாயம் மற்றும் மேய்ச்சல் நிலப்பரப்பை குறிக்கிறது.  மருத நிலம் போரின் சூழலில் வெற்றியைக் குறித்தது. அந்த  நிலப்பரப்பிற்கு சொந்தமான வாகை மலரை வெற்றியின் அடையாளமாகக் கருதி, அதை சூடியிருக்கலாம்.  பூவை அணிவது என்பது ஒருவரின் சாதனைகளை பகிரங்கமாக அறிவிப்பதற்கும் சமூக படிநிலையில் ஒருவரின் இடத்தை உறுதிப்படுத்துவதற்கும் ஒரு வழியாகும். 

ஆக்கையின் வழி உழலாமல் - கடைசியிலே ஒரு (இரண்டு !!) எருமை பின்னாடி ஓடிண்டு இருக்கின்றேனே ! அய்யகோ !!

 

Regards – S Sampathkumar

28.11.2025

Sorry for the picture quality – unable to lay hands on the original of this pic taken a few years ago !  As  I was taking photo of this buffalo, the Owner intervened and asked why ? – I pointed out the leafy garland, he burst into laughter, yet said, will anyone take photo of Erumai ?

 

Not a bed of Roses ! managing transition !!!

The other day a group of people in their mid  50s were discussing – and it was not on how much they have risen in life, or what they have earned or saved – more on how calm they are [if at all !] – on work life balance and how not to carry tensions home !! - do people become rich and wealthy ! – how many of your classmates have struck a big fortune and now live a happy calm retired life ! – is that simply a state of mind or something well planned backed up by good enough fortune ! 

A few decades ago,   most people were happy  doing clerical / administration work in Offices – they worked  overtime – stretch their working hours and got paid - Overtime pay. Most nations have overtime labour laws designed to dissuade or prevent employers from forcing their employees to work excessively long hours. In recent times, work from home, idling and not doing work during office hours, able to do all household chores during office hours, work stretching beyond permissible time limits – all are heard and seen. 

 

Now many people of mid 40s appear far too stressed and carrying lot of tension, and sometimes ill-health. From times, when people lived happily working in small office and earning little, the modern day man earns lot but feels isolated or lonely at work and at Society.  He is constantly worried about losing job or being sidelined in Office.  He no longer feels that he is Senior and commands control over the work environ – always under constant pressure and threat that he would be overtaken by a novice and would lose respect in work place – why !?!? 

In life, often we hear people say that they performed so well, but had no luck or were overshadowed by the efforts of somebody else.  One of my bosses used to say, that even for regular things he had to struggle, while others got them so easily – is life cruel to some !  is not the Q of the day .. .. at times life throws a bounty  - not for all, as some continue to suffer at the anvil. 

Balancing life, often referred to as work-life balance, is an ongoing effort to manage professional responsibilities and personal commitments to promote overall well-being, reduce stress, and prevent burnout. It involves setting boundaries and prioritizing time for work, family, self-care, and personal interests. Well, there would never be an end, it is not a destination, the act requires continuous effort and lot of adjustments.  Sometime they could be too focused, while people around happily prioritize personal life.   If you are struggling with chronic stress or burnout, consider seeking help from a good friend, Senior or  professional or therapist. Never carry the burden in your mind all the time. 

Today it was a bit irritating to hear Gautam Gambhir talk about transition and speak as if India is suddenly undergoing a change to youth brigade – all the present players are young and lack experience and that is the reason for the recent debacle.  He wants time to be given .. .. .. every team undergoes transition, some manage them well.   

Australians are successful in Cricket because they are well-known strategists and use the technology to the hilt – off the field too.  They have a good support system.  40 years ago in Jan 1984,   Australia bade farewell to Dennis Lillee, Greg Chappell and Rod Marsh in the same match. Obvious it was too big a void;   it was rather more haphazard, and the final Test of the summer was into its second day before Greg Chappell made his announcement, a day during which he equalled Colin Cowdrey's record of 120 catches by a fielder. His interest in the game had, The Times reported, "been on the wane since 1981", and he had hinted throughout the summer that he was ready to quit. •       The timing surprised the media, as Chappell had gone into the match with 6928 runs, 68 shy of Don Bradman's then-record aggregate by an Australian. "If you're playing for records then you shouldn't be playing," he told them. "Catches and runs are not that important." The timing came as something of a surprise to Lillee. He had told Chappell on the eve of the match that it was to be his last Test, and said that he would tell the media at the end. "He promptly went out and, without telling me, announced he was going to retire," Lillee recalled. "That was fine by me because, as a former captain, he deserved the first announcement."  

Years later, in Jan 2007 -  Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, and Justin Langer—retired together after the fifth Ashes Test against England in Sydney. This marked the end of the careers of the three players, who each had played over 100 Tests, and occurred after Australia had secured a 5-0 Ashes whitewash. Australia is a formidable force and every season, we see couple of young players cropping in.  

From the time we started following Test Cricket closely, Sunil Gavaskar retired scoring more than 10000 runs, Kapil Dev retired after becoming the highest wicket taker, Sachin Tendulkar retired after playing 200 tests; when we were eagerly awaiting milestone after milestone, Ravichandran Ashwin chose to retire ! – there have been many many more !! Dravid was the wall, then came Chetehswar Pujara ! 

At this juncture, more than managing the transition – it appears to be blatant mismanagement of resources – a Test team ideally should have Two regular openers, 3 or 4  pure middle order batsmen, one regular wicke-keeper, two pacers, two spinners and if you play with 3 batter, one all-rounder ! – the roles should be clear – pick them, give them a fair chance and if not performing, don’t go by the names, sack them ! – here we are playing with makeshift openers, two wicket-keepers, three allrounders and .. .. if your no. 3 plays 139 deliveries and could make only 14 – either he is not capable enough or his confidence is shattered by lack of support from Team management.

 

Don’t blame the situation ! – it is for the highly paid professional management to come out proper strategy. The fact that South Africa sealed their first series win in India in 25 years and India's second series defeat in 12 months after 12 years of spotless record is hurting Indian fans. 

Life is not smooth, not a bed of roses, not everyone gets paid high for their acts!

 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
27.11.2025 

Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa

 

Swamiye  Saranam Ayyappa

 

Horn !! ~ "உனக்கென்ன கொம்பா முளைத்து இருக்கு"

A horn is a permanent pointed projection on the head of various animals that consists of a covering of keratin and other proteins surrounding a core of live bone.  This post has nothing to do with Horn, the sound making device on vehicles that alert others on the vehicle’s presence, signal a hazard or communicate with the other road users !

 

கொம்பு (Horn) என்பது இரட்டைக் குளம்புள்ள ஆடு, மாடு, மான் முதலிய விலங்குகளின் தலையிலிருந்து முளைக்கின்ற வளர்ச்சி.   கொம்பு என ஒரு தூம்பு வகை  காற்று இசைக்கருவியும் உண்டு. . 

"உனக்கென்ன கொம்பா முளைத்து இருக்கு" என்பது ஒரு பொதுவான கேள்வி -  இதன் பொருள் "உனக்கு என்ன தனி அல்லது சிறப்பு  அதிகாரம் இருக்கிறது?"   "நீ என்ன பெரிய ஆளா (அப்பாடக்கரா)?" என்பதாகும். இது கேட்பவரின் பெருமையை அல்லது அதிகாரத்தை கேள்வி கேட்கும் விதமாக, கொஞ்சம் நக்கலான தொனியில் கேட்கப்படும் ஒரு சொற்றொடராகும்.  

Horns are distinct from antlers, which are not permanent. In mammals, true horns are found mainly among the ruminant artiodactyls, in the families Antilocapridae (pronghorn) and Bovidae (cattle, goats, antelope etc.). Cattle horns arise from subcutaneous connective tissue (under the scalp) and later fuse to the underlying frontal bone. 

One pair of horns is usual; however, two or more pairs occur in a few wild species and in some domesticated breeds of sheep.  Bighorn sheep have backward-sweeping, forward-curving horns. Bison have upward-curving horns that grow from the sides of the head. Horns usually have a curved or spiral shape, often with ridges or fluting. In many species, only males have horns. Horns start to grow soon after birth and continue to grow throughout the life of the animal   

Animals have horns … Horny, adjective would mean – of or resembling horn.  However, in an informal context – ‘horny’ would mean -  feeling or arousing sexual excitement.

 

Animal "horns" can be classified into true horns (bony core with permanent keratin sheath, found in bovids like cattle and goats), antlers (shed and regrown annually, made of bone, found in cervids like deer), and other similar structures like rhino horns (keratin without a bone core), ossicones (bony protrusions covered in skin, found in giraffes), and tusks (oversized teeth, like those of elephants and walruses).

 

There are a few rare breeds of naturally hornless cows, such as the Aberdeen Angus breed but in some countries, they lab-breed cattle without horns so that there would be no in-fighting !!  In some places, horns are removed cruelly - It’s a process called “disbudding”. It involves the horn buds being removed before they grow and attach to the cow’s skull. It’s a process that happens on the majority of dairy farms in Australia. The Cattle for sure would not like that, but who really cares !!

 

Here are some photos of Cattle with different horns !!  Interesting !
 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
27.11.2025

  

Ignominy at Guwahati - what ails Indian team - the grovel remark !!!

At a time, when we started watching Cricket in mid 1970s, India was a formidable bowling Team – no pacers, but quality Spinners – the quartet of Bishan Bedi, Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, Erapalli Anandasundara Prasanna & Srinivasan Venkatraghavan that could win matches – yet the batting was very weak – over dependent on Sunil Gavaskar and Gundappa Viswanath – later when the middle order became strong and with emergence of Kapil Dev – India became a force to reckon with in Tests too.  What ails the Indian Test team now?

 

The scorecard is ignominy !!  South Africa 489 (Muthusamy 109, Jansen 93, Kuldeep 4-115) and 260 for 5 decl. (Stubbs 94, de Zorzi 49, Jadeja 4-62) beat India 201 (Jaiswal 58, Washington 48, Jansen 6-48) and 140 (Jadeja 54, Harmer 6-37) by 408 runs  ~ coming as it does after the loss in First test and a 3-0 drubbing in the hands of New Zealand, it is indeed very depressing for the ardent Indian fan. 

In front of empty stands in India's newest Test venue - Guwahati, South Africa competed their utter domination of the hosts with a whitewash and their heaviest Test defeat in terms of runs. More than just the order of session breaks was turned upside down in India's eastern-most Test ground where South Africa sealed their first series win in India in 25 years and India's second series defeat in 12 months after 12 years of spotless record. Simon Harmer out-bowled by miles the home spinners in a country, whose ordinary tour in 2015 resulted in a seven-year hiatus for him in Test cricket. No one has now taken more wickets at a better average in a series in India than his 17 wickets at 8.94. Marco Jansen was a little behind with 12 at 10.08. 

At the start of 2025, South Africa coach Shukri Conrad encouraged his team to "just dream a bit" because "some of the best things happen in dreams" and they ran with it. They had already qualified for the World Test Championship final and dreamt of winning it. But even after that, even in their wildest dreams, they didn't go as far as thinking they would sweep a series in India, nevermind subject them to their worst home defeat. That was something they only believed when it became reality. 

After a 12-year period in which India won every Test series they played at home, they have now lost two out of three in the space of just over a year: 3-0 last year to New Zealand, and now 2-0 to South Africa. These results have coincided with the tenure of Gautam Gambhir, who took over as India head coach in July 2024. Asked whether he still believed he was the right man for the job, particularly in Test cricket, Gambhir said he wasn't the man to take that call. 

All the focus on the home defeats to New Zealand and South Africa, Gambhir suggested, was taking away from his achievements as head coach, including a 2-2 Test-series draw in England and white-ball victories in the Champions Trophy and Asia Cup this year. "I'm the same guy who got results in England as well, with a young team," he said.   

India's batting, in particular, has been manned by a number of young, inexperienced players. "I don't give excuses. I've never done that in the past. I will never do it in the future as well. But four or five batters in this top eight have literally played less than 15 Test matches [each], and they will grow. They're learning on the job. They're learning on the field. The defeat in Guwahati was India's heaviest by a runs margin in Tests. 

If one were to ask what ails the Test team – it is lack of order in the middle – a line up of Sai Sudarshan, Dhruv Jurel, Rishab Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar + Shubman Gill is not at all  inspiring – in India – against regular Spinners, this team is unable to fight / play out 100 odd overs and is getting bowled out for sub-par scores !  ~  when a Team loses so badly, no point in continuing with the same players and getting the same result.  Though it may sound harsh, chop many / change the Coach and support staff / change the team that selected them too !! 

Gautam Gambhir is a seasoned campaigner – he made his bat talk during his hay days.  58 Tests 4154 runs 9 tons; 147 ODIs 5238 runs; 11 tons; 37 T20Is 932 runs all speak – on the other side is Shukri Conrad, relatively not a great talent but highly successful as coach. 

Shukri Conrad   led the team to victory in the 2025 ICC World Test Championship final. Conrad played first-class cricket for Western Province teams both before and after the end of racial segregation. He was later a long-serving coach of Cape Cobras and also coached Gauteng and Highveld Lions. He was briefly coach of the Uganda national cricket team.  When South Africa coach Conrad was asked for a reason they had persisted to bat on despite having a sizeable lead on board, he had said with a smile: "We wanted the Indians to spend as much time on their feet out in the field, we wanted them to really grovel.".. .. and it has caused flutter across !! 

The use of the word—made infamous in cricketing folklore when it was used by England’s Tony Grieg before a series against West Indies in 1976, which led to the team from the Caribbean sweeping England in England by a 3-0 margin in a five-match Test series—did not sit right with the local broadcaster’s panel of former cricketers.   This  has triggered a major racism row, with fans and former players calling the phrase historically loaded and offensive. The comment has sparked heated debate across social media and the cricketing community. 

The comment came after the conclusion of Day 4 of the second Test in Guwahati, where South Africa, in a commanding position, prolonged their second innings to set India an unattainable target of 549 runs. While Conrad appeared to use the term—which means to crawl or lie abjectly on the ground—in the context of making the Indian players physically toil, his admission that he was "stealing a phrase" immediately triggered the historical parallel that has led to the current racism row. The controversy stems directly from the infamous statement made by then-England captain Tony Greig—a white South African-born cricketer—in 1976 before his team’s series against the West Indies. Greig declared he intended "to make them grovel" before his side.  In the racial and colonial climate of the 1970s, Greig’s comment was widely condemned as demeaning and racially insensitive. The word, used by a figure with roots in apartheid South Africa against a team predominantly comprising descendants of slaves and indentured labourers, was interpreted as a slur against the dignity and pride of the Caribbean people. The remark served as an emotional rallying cry for the West Indies, led by Clive Lloyd, who went on to crush England 3-0 in the series. The term is now etched in cricketing history as a stark example of racial arrogance.  

Former India cricketer Parthiv Patel had slammed South Africa coach Conrad. "There’s history attached to this. Fifty years ago, an England captain used the same phrase... humility is most important when you’re on top," Kumble stated, urging the coach to show restraint. South African great Dale Steyn also distanced himself from the remark, calling it "disappointing" and a word that should never be uttered on a cricket field.  

Despite Conrad being a person of colour himself, critics argue that the term’s explosive historical context makes its usage unacceptable, regardless of the speaker’s intent or background. While the coach's objective was clearly psychological warfare, the choice of a phrase indelibly linked to one of the sport's most significant racial episodes has overshadowed South Africa's dominant performance. 

Moving away – the Q prominent in the minds of ardent Indian fan is – what ails Indian Team and what would be the remedial measures ?.  Continuing with the same strategy for the problems is likely to give the same results is History !

 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
27.11.2025 

Nation remembers with pain the Siege - and salute the valiant soldiers who saved !

  

How much of respect do you give to a Police Constable on the streets – mostly unarmed, or carries a woodenstick (lathi) and tries law enforcement !! - heart would bleed for Tukaram Omble !:  India has had its deep impact because of this terror attack but still once a while some would rise their voice for the neighbouring terror abettor, stating that Sports are different and people must learn to forget ! – forget what.   26^th Nov is a day of great importance in History. 

Ever read about -  Sachchidananda Sinha ?    Today is the Constitution Day in India  also known as National Law Day, is celebrated in India on 26th day of November every year to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India. On 26 November 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted to the Constitution of India, and it came into effect on 26 January 1950 ( Purna Swaraj first independence day on 30 January 1930 declared by Indian National Congress) 

                 The Jilava massacre occurred on the night of November 26, 1940, at Jilava Prison, near Bucharest, Romania. Sixty-four political detainees were killed by the Iron Guard (Legion), with further high-profile assassinations in the immediate aftermath.   

Nothing of anything else - 26^th Nov is etched in our memories as the time when the Nation was under siege !!

 

 

In the beautiful motherland, there have been debates on surgical strikes with politicians calling for proof !! -  Nation can never forget this day  26/11 when it was  under siege by militants from across the border.  How many felt sorrowed and spoke for those martyrs of Police and jawans of the motherland ??  .. .. and blatant media who were for ratings showing all the plan and movement of Army jawans !! – how mindless it was.  

We see them in every street corner, at busy traffic intersections, some movies come ridiculing their efforts,   RED SALUTE  to them – the Army and Police are the real protectors and WE live happily and peacefully because of their sacrifices. The statue at the start is that of  Tukaram Omble, who died this day 17 years ago ! – must have been part of our history and school curriculum .. .. were you able to recognize him ?

The historic Taj Mahal Palace hotel first opened its doors to guests   on December 16, 1903. Located in Colaba, Mumbai, the Taj Mahal hotel, or the Taj Palace hotel, was the country's first ever harbour landmark.   A popular theory states that Jamshedji Tata built the hotel because he was refused entry at Watson Hotel, one of the grandest hotels of that time, which was for 'whites only. It was the first Indian hotel that had electricity, American fans, Turkish baths, German elevators, and English butlers. Later, it became the first ever hotel in the city that had a licensed bar and India's first discotheque, called Blow Up. It was also the first Indian hotel to have an air-conditioned ballroom and an all-day dining restaurant.  In 1903, when it first opened to guests, a room with fans and attached bathrooms would cost ₹13.  

 

On the night of 26 November 2008, ten Kalashnikov-wielding terrorists attacked Mumbai. They stuck simultaneously at five locations, shooting dead 140 Indians and 25 foreign tourists. American and British passport-holders were executed in two luxury hotel complexes. At a Jewish cultural centre, Israeli nationals were tortured before being killed. A fourth location, a café frequented by Western backpackers, was enfiladed with automatic fire.  At the ever crowded  city’s main railway station, the site of the largest number of deaths,  all the victims were Indian.   

Treacherous cowardly terrorists waging war with the Nation killing innocents.  In the history of terrorism, the Mumbai 26/11 terror attacks were as innovative as the 9/11 attacks on the US. While passenger airplanes were used for the first time as weapons of destruction during 9/11, the Mumbai attacks saw an unprecedented feature of live operational control of terrorist acts from foreign soil. 

.. .. and how shameful was the response of Indian press and to a large extent the then Government – there were live shows depicting the operations of the Commandos providing live data feed to terror handlers elsewhere !  they utilized  India’s  free electronic media for further killing and live feedback. Competitive Indian visual media covering the Mumbai attacks beamed minute-to-minute details to the domestic audience which served as a barometer of the damage inflicted on the Indian psyche and resultant panic, the two vital aims of any terrorist group. It enabled the Pakistani handlers to calibrate attacks using the cell phones of ground-level terrorists.  

Dr Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister when these attacks took place, Shivraj Patel was the Home Minister, who resigned following widespread criticism of inept handling  by the Govt, he took moral responsibility for the security lapse and P Chidambaram took over as Home Minister.

In case you remember the Q on SAchidananda Sinha ! at the start -  the  Constituent Assembly of India was the legislature of the Dominion of India from its independence in August 1947 until 1950, when India became a republic. Best known for its creation of the Indian constitution, its members were mostly elected from the provinces of British India—with a third being nominated by princely states. 

First formed in December 1946 as an advisory body aimed at drafting a constitution for a united and independent India eighteen months before the original June 1948 deadline for independence, it was given sovereign powers to legislate for the Dominion of India (excluding princely states that refused to accede to the Dominion) following partition and independence on 15 August 1947 and the abolition of the Imperial Legislative Council under the provisions of the Indian Independence Act 1947. 

Sachchidananda Sinha (10 November 1871 – 6 March 1950) was an Indian lawyer, statesman, administrator and educationist. He was the first President of the Indian Constituent Assembly which drafted the Constitution of India. He also served as the vice chancellor of Patna University, secretary of the Indian National Congress, and deputy speaker of the Indian Legislative Assembly. He, along with Mahesh Narayan, is considered to be the main architects of the modern state of Bihar. On 9 December 1946, after the first Constituent Assembly election, the first meeting of Constituent Assembly was held in which Sinha was appointed as the temporary President of Constituent Assembly as he was the eldest member,  following the French Practice.   

 

Nation still nurses its wounds of that unfortunate day in 2008 when  10 Pakistani terrorists arrived by sea route and opened fire indiscriminately at people killing 166, including 18 security personnel, and injuring several others, besides damaging property worth crores.  The attack began on 26 November and lasted until 29 November. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Oberoi Trident, the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital, the Nariman House Jewish community centre were some of the places targeted by the terrorists. Ajmal Kasab was the only terrorist captured alive. He was hanged four years later on November 21, 2012. 

26.11.2008  – a sad day it was for the Nation.!

 
High respects and regards to our heroes – S. Sampathkumar
26.11. 2025