free-time !! leisure !! - relaxing !!!

 

Situationist International proposes that leisure does not evolve from free time, and free-time is an illusory concept that is rarely fully "free"; economic and social forces appropriate free time from the individual and sell it back to them as the commodity known as "leisure". ..

 

.. why to be so complicated - simply idle and relax !! – “Summa irukkarathu”!!

getting under the train - escape without a scratch ... cellphone speaking !!

Volumes are being written on the ‘cell phone speaking’ madness of people – while on road, walking, driving and unconcerned of whatever is happening around them.  The other day, the vehicle driver halted hurriedly as a man with ears plugged crossed the road unmindful of the passing vehicles. More than couple yelled and shouted expletives in anger – yet, the man crossed unhurriedly virtually not knowing that he was the centre of distraction ! – such things are not rare and are becoming daily routine in many places. Worse is the railway crossings at suburbs – people cross the track not caring to look before you cross, engrossed in talking  or listening to music.  There have been accidents, some have lost their lives too….yet, nobody listens.

The other day, when a biker almost rammed on to a girl crossing the road speaking on a telephone – she replied – ‘it was an important call, and I had to take’ !!  In July 2011 I had posted the luck of a young software professional who went under a suburban train – despite six compartment rakes passing over her at Saidapet, she escaped without bruises.   It was reported that in noon, at the the platform, her bag fell on the floor and in bending to pick up with one hand (with the other she was till talking on mobile), she slipped and fell on the track – Tambaram bound EMU ran over her – but she could lie flatly on the track and escaped unhurt.  Seemingly unbelievable but true story…..

Now a very similar one – this time off an Italian teen ager as reported in mail online on 14^th Oct 2014.   If you've ever wondered whether you can lie beneath a train and let it rumble over you, here is your answer. An Italian teenager filmed himself lying down between the rails of tracks in Perugia, Umbria, as a diesel train hurtled over him at high speed. He then stood up and, clearly in the throes of an adrenaline rush, raised both arms in triumph and punched the air.

 The teenager's name is not known, and it is not known if he faced any consequences for his plainly illegal stunt. His brazen attitude towards the potential lethal situation is remarkable. It was not even an accident as it is reported that he laid down on the  track mere seconds before the train hurtled past, flicking his hands in a 'come on' gesture.  What do you say of such people ? – misplaced adventurism !!

In another incident an incredible moment was captured at the Grand National Cross Country event in Ohio – when a man who was about to be struck by crashing motocross rider jumped over bike and carried on talking on his cellphone like nothing happened.  Footage of the event posted on Facebook showed the driver making a jump and then landing on the other side of a creek bank, where they begin to slide on the wet mud. The busy man was shown stumbling  after the jump but quickly putting  himself together and continuing to talk on the phone without so much as a 'phew'.

Strange are the ways of people

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

cattle menace in Triplicane, Mylapore and ... UK too........

At Thiruvallikkeni it is a common scene – cattle freely roaming in the narrow streets – cows being more aggressive – while buffaloes are docile. As they roam freely, residents find it difficult ….roads are nasty, animals many a times threaten the old people….there are cases of cattle causing grievous injuries to walkers, cyclists and two wheeler riders…  their formidable presence is feared -  the mortal fear imposed by the animal chasing people carrying bags checking on green leafs, vegetables and other eatables.  Perhaps Triplicane is not alone …..

A recent  TOI report mentions ‘Cows, dogs taking over Chepauk MRTS station’ – this is a station situate closer to famous Chepauk stadium and benefits Govt employees of Ezhilagam and Madras University.  The news items says -  Women employees deployed to scrub the floor and remove garbage from Chepauk MRTS railway station are seen patrolling the station armed with sticks these days. It is not just washing floors or picking up discarded plastic but also chasing away stray cows and dogs that stroll inside the station complex. Public want the Railways to do something to keep stray dogs and cows the station.  There are four women employed on contract basis at the station to clean the complex. The cleaning women complain that walking around with a bucket and removing cow dung at regular intervals have become part of their daily routine.

Miles away in UK – the cows were handled very differently – we may feel it too inhumane though ! …….. the report appearing in Daily Mail of 12^th Oct 14 state that Police snipers shot dead two cows which had escaped from a nature reserve after going on a five-hour rampage. A helicopter and armed police were deployed to mobilise the cattle, which had escaped from Marston Marsh in Norwich, Norfolk, before running amok  and two of the animals were shot in the 'interests of public safety' while  a third managed to escape.

Officers from Norfolk Police were forced to close roads around the city, including the busy A140 Ipswich Road, in a bid to air their search - causing traffic chaos. Search attempts were hampered by a severe lightning storm but after five-hours the third cow, which police described as 'very angry', was found dead in nearby woodland just after midnight.

The cattle are believed to have escaped while being loaded onto a lorry by their owner.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

13^th Oct 2014.

Queen Corgis - fading their way out !!!

Dogs are considered man’s best ally and among the most sought after pets ~ to some they bring endless joy and fun. For some they are too scary….  There are hundreds of breeds ~ Afghan Hound, American Blue Lacy, Bearded Collie, Beauceron, Berger Picard, Border Collie, Corgis, Fila Brasileiro, Koolie, Mountain Cur, Norwegian Elkhound, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Rottweiler, Swedish Vallhund, Texas Heeler, Tibetan Spaniel ~ some names out of a group – can you identify what ?

Some from the list of ‘Shepherds’ – German Shepherd [Alsatians !] is perhaps better known to us.  They are herding dogs - a type of pastoral dog that either has been trained in herding or belongs to breeds developed for herding. Their ability to be trained to act on the sound of a whistle or word of command is renowned throughout the world.  Among them, the Welsh corgi is a small type of herding dog that originated in Wales. Two distinct breeds are recognized: the Pembroke Welsh corgi and the Cardigan Welsh corgi, with the Pembroke being the more common. Cardigans are the larger of the two breeds.  Pembrokes feature pointed ears, and are somewhat smaller in stature than the Cardigan. Considered a practical dog, they are low-set, intelligent, strong and sturdy with stamina sufficient to work a day on the farm.

Corgis perform their herding duties by nipping at the heels of cattle; the dog's low height allows it to avoid being kicked in the process. As herding dogs, corgis work livestock differently than other breeds. Instead of gathering the cattle the way a collie would, by running around the livestock, corgis drive the herd forward by nipping at their heels and working them from behind in semicircles. They are also one of the few breeds able to herd geese.

Corgis often compete in dog agility trials, obedience, showmanship, flyball, tracking, and herding events.  Corgis are very active and energetic. Outside Wales, corgis have been made popular by Queen Elizabeth II who has at least four in her retinue at all times. Her first corgi was called Susan. She currently keeps two corgis and two Dorgis (corgi/dachshund cross).  Queen Elizabeth's corgis are the Welsh Corgi dogs – fond of corgis since she was a small child, Elizabeth II has owned more than 30 corgis since she became Queen of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms in 1952.

The Queen Mother introduced a disciplined regimen for the dogs; each was to have its own wicker basket, meals were served for each dog in its own dish, the diet approved by veterinary experts with no titbits from the royal table. The corgis thus enjoy a privileged life at Buckingham Palace.  The royal corgis are known all across the world and have been portrayed in many ways such as statues and works of art.

All this would become a thing of the past as now the Queen - who is known to be inseparable from her beloved Corgis - has decided against introducing any new dogs to Buckingham Palace.  It is reported that she no longer replaces the pets as they die and, as she gets older, she is worried about tripping over the small dogs.

The Queen's Corgis have been a regular sight during her rule  even on tours but she has ruled out introducing any new dogs.  MailOnline reports that the Queen declined the offer of two puppies from her granddaughter Princess Beatrice.  A senior courtier told the Daily Express: 'The Queen thought it was a lovely offer but she politely declined. 'The fact is she worries about too many dogs around her feet and the danger she will trip up and hurt herself badly. She is after all 88 and not getting any younger. Her corgis are getting on a bit and move along at a sedate speed but a young dog would obviously be very lively and much more active. Her main fear is that if she fell and broke her arm or even a leg she would not be able to perform her duties for many weeks if not months, and that would upset her greatly.'

While she has a reputation for being rather firm and fierce in other matters, the Queen is ridiculously soppy over her corgis. Over the years, the Royal Family seem to have embraced dogs as their favoured pets. Formal portraits from the 17th century onwards show them posing with dogs, from pugs to greyhounds, King Charles Spaniels to Corgis. Corgis were first introduced to the royal circle by King George VI in 1933 when he bought a Corgi called Dookie from a local kennels.  For her eighteenth birthday, The Queen was given a Corgi named Susan. She became the matriarch of the royal Corgi line and it was the beginning of a 70-year love affair.  Some Corgis were mated with dachsunds to create 'Dorgis', two of which, Candy and Vulcan, still survive, along with the two Corgis Willow and Holly. 

The Corgis have hit the headlines before - in 2004 one had to be put down after being savaged by an English bull terrier owned by Princess Anne when they ran out to greet her as she arrived at Sandringham for Christmas.  The Corgis have enjoyed life as Britain's most privileged pets. They live in palaces and castles, travel in chauffeur-driven limousines, fly by private plane or helicopter and are carried down aircraft steps by aides.

So, things change ~ old order changeth, yielding place to new !

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

3^rd Feb 2015.

Send e-mails - communicate through telepathy...

There are often things, which you wonder whether ‘can happen’ ? Iyer the Great released in 1990 in Malayalam, directed by Bhadran and starring Mammootty, Geetha was an interesting movie.  The hero, Vaikundam Soorya Narayana Iyer (Mammootty), a normal business executive leads a normal family life along with Veni Geetha, his wife and his mother Sukumari. One day, up on climbing a tall tree in order to capture an escaped pet parrot, Iyer undergoes (fear of heights) giving him the power of ‘clairvoyance’. His mind undergoes severe strain after this opening a new revelation.  He is able to predict many things which taken him to stardom and makes him famous …

One similar thing is Telepathy – (tele meaning "distant" and pathos meaning "feeling, perception, passion, affliction, experience") - the purported transmission of information from one person to another without using any of our known sensory channels or physical interaction. The term was coined in 1882 by the classical scholar Frederic W. H. Myers and has remained more popular than the earlier expression thought-transference.  Telepathy is a common theme in modern fiction and science fiction, with many extraterrestrials, superheroes and supervillains having telepathic ability.

It is not in fiction in movies alone – as proved by these researchers. With a blindfold covering his eyes, and earplugs cancelling out almost all sound, Dr Michel Berg sat in a state-of-the-art laboratory at the University of Strasbourg in north-eastern France, and began to think. Nearly 5,000 miles away, at a research facility in the Indian city of Kerala, a young Spanish man called Dr Alejandro Riera pulled on a tightly fitting hat, placed a laptop computer on a white table, and also began to think. The two men aimed to send a simple message between each other, across the continents, without using any of the five senses that human beings — and indeed animals — have for millennia used to communicate. They instead hoped to achieve what scientists call ‘mind-to-mind direct technological communication’ — and the rest of us would recognise by a single, tantalising word: telepathy.

The experiment in speaking via ‘thought’ happened in conditions of absolute secrecy. Until recently, only a small team numbering a dozen researchers (including Dr Berg and Dr Riera) were even aware of its existence.  That all changed a few days ago (in Aug 2014)  when PLOS ONE, a website little known outside academia, published a peer-reviewed scientific paper detailing its outcome.  Daily Mail reports that the report is lengthy and jargon-ridden. But to a layman, its findings seem little short of sensational. For on that afternoon in March, Dr Berg and Dr Riera were indeed able to achieve ‘conscious brain-to-brain communication’.

With Scientists being able to transmit message into the mind of a colleague 5,000 miles away using brain waves – perhaps a day would soon come when we can send even emails 'telepathically'?  The Scientists used EEG headsets to record electrical activity in the brain and it is reported that electrical activity from words ‘hola’ and ‘ciao’ were converted into binary.  The greeting was sent from Thiruvananthapuram, India to Strasbourg. A computer translated the message and then used electrical stimulation to implant it in the receiver’s mind, appearing as specific flashes of light.  According to the researchers, this is the first time humans have sent a message almost directly into each other’s brains.

Brain-wave sensing machines have been used to ‘telepathically’ control everything from real-life helicopters to characters in a computer game. Now the technology has gone a step further by allowing someone in India to send an email to his colleague in France using nothing but the power of his mind. The researchers used electroencephalography (EEG) headsets to record electrical activity from neurons firing in the brain, and convert the words ‘hola’ and ‘ciao’ into binary.  In EEG, electrical currents in the brain are linked with different thoughts that are then fed into a computer interface.

There, a computer translated the message and then used electrical stimulation to implant it in the receiver’s mind.  This message appeared as flashes of light in the corner of their vision. In France, a computer translated the message and then used electrical stimulation to implant it in the receiver’s mind that appeared as flashes of light in the corner of their vision. The light appeared in sequences that allowed the receiver to decode the information in the message. Researchers then conducted a similar experiment in which thoughts were successfully transmitted from two participants, one in Spain and one in France.

The human brain is made up of billions of active neurons that have around 105,600 miles (170,000 km) of combined length. Every time you have a thought, your brain produces weak but distinct electrical signals corresponding to it. The electrical impulse is generated by the chemical reaction between neurons, which can be measured. According to the researchers, this is the first time humans have sent a message ‘almost directly’ into each other’s brains. The evolution of civilization points to a progressive increase of the interrelations between human minds, where by “mind” we mean a set of processes carried out by the brain.  The computer-mediated brain-to-brain transmission from Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala state, India) (BCI side) to Strasbourg, France (CBI) was realized using internet-linked EEG and TMS technologies respectively. The power of mind and the Scientific research is amazing indeed.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

4^th Nov. 2014.

face-to-face at Triplicane

"Face-to-face"  is  direct, in-person interaction where people are physically in the same place and looking at one another.  If can be pleasant and sometimes conflicting too  !  Face-to-face conflict is best managed through immediate, respectful, and calm, in-person dialogue !! 

At Triplicane, residents are worried about Cattle on road – there have been some bad incidents too !!

 

A moment during today’s purappadu beautifully captured by MA Parthasarasthi [MAPs].

மந்திரமாவது திரு நீறு வானவர் மேலது நீறு

 

பூச இனியது நீறு புண்ணிய மாவது நீறு

பேச இனியது நீறு பெருந்தவத் தோர்களுக் கெல்லாம்

ஆசை கெடுப்பது நீறு வந்தம தாவது நீறு

தேசம் புகழ்வது நீறு திருஆல வாயான் திருநீறே. 

 

மந்திரமாவது நீறு வானவர் மேலது நீறு - திருநீற்றுப் பதிகம் என்பது பாண்டிய மன்னன் கூன் பாண்டியனின் வெப்ப நோயை நீக்க சிவபெருமானை நினைத்து திருஞானசம்பந்தர் பாடிய பாடல்கள்

 

A Sivanadiyar applying vibuthi (thiruneeru) to a boy at Thirumylai during Arubathi moovar uthsavam 2026

Crazy ! Crazy !! - Cricket Crazy !!! - cric maniacs

 

Crazy !  Crazy !!  -  Cricket Crazy !!! - cric maniacs

 

Are you Cricket Crazy – watching all IPL matches – more !!  .. .. 

Tomorrow April 2026  will be born - Chennai is reeling under hot weather ~ people have already started saying – this year is too hot ! hotter than last year !! 

We belong to a generation that played Cricket in mid noon at the hot Marina beach sands !!  - would you allow your son to go out and play in the ground.

 

Here is a hot day in Soma Sundaram Ground, T Nagar, Chennai 600017 taken from a nearby building in 2019.  : https://youtu.be/2N4ab_oozOE

 

vegetable market ... in your locality !!

 

Scene of a local  vegetable market  

 

Those used to buying groceries and vegetables in Super market will never get to admire these !!  

A bustling vegetable market pulses with life early each morning. Vendors artfully pile vibrant greens like Cabbage,  spinach and fenugreek, ruby tomatoes, sunny marigold carrots, and knobby potatoes into neat pyramids, their colors popping under the sun.

 

The air carries earthy scents of fresh soil and herbs mingling with shouts of "Fresh curry leaves, madam!" as shoppers haggle good-naturedly. It's a symphony of activity—baskets clinking, weighing scales creaking, and smiles exchanged over the day's best deals.

common man ......... ......... and news !!

 

ஹல்லோ !!!  சார் !  -  ஹோர்முஸ் ஜலசந்தி  எப்ப முழுசா திறப்பீங்க !!

 

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow channel, approximately 30 miles wide at the narrowest point, between the Omani Musandam Peninsula and Iran. It connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. The Strait is deep and relatively free of maritime hazards. Its depth is greatest near the Musandam Peninsula and tapers as you move north toward the Iranian shore.

 

there are 3 seen - one who reads print media, one who perhaps is looking at social media and another super dreamer who can blame everything and has fears in his mind - even on midday not awake to the reality. [i am only explaining my photo]

A goniometer – what ? பாகைமானி !!

 

A goniometer – what ?   பாகைமானி என்றால் என்னவென்று தெரியுமா ! 

We can measure Angles in Degrees.  There are 360 degrees in one Full Rotation (one complete circle around). Perhaps the first knowledge prize that we got in our school days was a Geometry box !  it was a set of basic equipment required for regular use in Schools in doing  diagram and graphs. The box usually consisted  of a compass, a 15cm ruler, a divider, 2 set squares and a protractor.  Protractors usually have two sets of numbers going in opposite directions. The outer scale starts from 0° and goes up to 180° in a clockwise direction, and the inner scale has the same range in the counterclockwise direction.  

பாகை என்பது கோணத்தை அளப்பதற்குரிய ஒரு அலகு ஆகும். இது 60 கலைக்குச் சமனானது ஆகும். இது ° என்னும் குறியீட்டினால் குறிக்கப்படுவது வழக்கம். 60° என எழுதும்போது அது 60 பாகை என்பதைக் குறிக்கும். ஒரு தளத்தில் அதிலுள்ள ஒரு புள்ளியை முழுவதுமாகக் சுற்றி அமையும் கோணம் 360 பாகை (360°) ஆகும்.  

வடிவவியலில், பாகைமானி அல்லது கோணமானி (Protractor) கோணங்களை அளவிடும், பொதுவாக ஊடுபுகக்கூடிய பேர்பெக்சாலான, ஒரு சதுர, வட்ட அல்லது அரை வட்டக் கருவியாகும்.  

A goniometer is an instrument that either measures an angle or allows an object to be rotated to a precise angular position. The term goniometry derives from two Greek words, γωνία (gōnía) 'angle' and μέτρον (métron) 'measure'.  Better known as the  protractor, it  is a commonly used type in the fields of mechanics, engineering, and geometry.   The first known description of a goniometer, based on the astrolabe, was by Gemma Frisius in 1538.

A protractor,  a measuring instrument, is  typically made of transparent plastic or glass, for measuring angles. Some protractors are simple half-discs or full circles. More advanced protractors, such as the bevel protractor, have one or two swinging arms, which can be used to help measure the angle.  Most protractors measure angles in degrees (°). Radian-scale protractors measure angles in radians. Most protractors are divided into 180 equal parts. Some precision protractors further divide degrees into arcminutes. A protractor divided in centiturns is normally called a "percentage protractor".

 

Interesting !

 
With regards – S Sampathkumar
28.3.2026

Kumbakonam Temple Elephant ~ Mangala !

கண்ணாரும் அருமணியைக், காரோணத் தாரமுதை

நண்ணாதார் புரமெரித்த, நான்மறையின் பொருளானைப் .. ..

கண்ணகத்தே நின்று களிதரும் அரிய மணி போன்றவரும், திருக்குடந்தைக் காரோணத்தில் எழுந்தருளியிருக்கும் அமுதம் போன்றவரும், பகைவரின் முப்புரங்களை எரித்த நான்மறைகளின் பொருளாக விளங்குபவருமான - 

ஆதிகும்பேஸ்வரர் எழுந்தருளி இருக்கும் திருத்தலத்தில்,

புண்ணியம் செய்த மங்களா யானை

 

Profile pic of Sri Adhi Kumbeswarar temple (Kumbakonam) temple elephant *Mangala* - taken in 2023

face found on a city Auto-rickshaw

In Chennai city roads (as also in many other cities) there is this ubiquitous transport vehicle – Auto rickshaw.  The hero is an auto-driver in some movies (esp Rajini / Ajith).  In many autos, one can see the pictures of MGR, Rajinikanth, Ajith, as also some political leaders including Thiru. Annamalai. Never imagined that one auto could have this person’s picture on its front wind-shield glass !! No not this picture of Virat Kohli ….. it is  far, far different !!

 

North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is an East Asian country occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. It is a highly centralized totalitarian state  - its Supreme leader is - Kim Jong Un, a position he has held since the death of his father, Kim Jong Il, in December 2011. He is the third leader in the Kim dynasty, which has ruled the country since its founding by his grandfather, Kim Il Sung, in 1948.   Ri Sol-ju  is the First Lady of North Korea and the wife of Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un. Since 2018, she has held the official title of "Respected First Lady," a significant elevation in status compared to previous leaders' spouses.

 

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has formally designated South Korea as the country’s “most hostile state,” marking a definitive legal and ideological break in inter-Korean relations. According to the North’s state-controlled Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim codified a permanent state of enmity while signaling a “ready for any choice” posture toward the United States in his speech delivered on March 23 during the first session of the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA). The declaration represents the final institutionalization of the “two hostile states” doctrine Kim first introduced in late 2023. By addressing the rubber-stamp parliament, Kim effectively elevated the exclusion of South Korea from a partner for reconciliation to a matter of supreme state policy. 

Kim has cited the ongoing war in Iran as proof that North Korea's nuclear arsenal is necessary for military deterrence against the United States. He declared North Korea's nuclear status "irreversible".  Meantime,  Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko arrived in Pyongyang on March 25, 2026, to sign a fundamental friendship treaty and expand cooperation in trade, agriculture, and healthcare.

 

Kim  was educated in Switzerland at a state school in Berne (1998–2001) before attending Kim Il Sung Military University in Pyongyang. He is married to Ri Sol-ju. In recent years, his daughter, Kim Ju-ae, has frequently appeared at official events, leading to speculation that she is being groomed as his successor. His sister, Kim Yo Jong, is also a high-ranking official.  

 

It’s quite a striking contrast to see a portrait of a North Korean leader on an autorickshaw, seen and photographed at Triplicane this evening.   It's not uncommon   for drivers to decorate their vehicles with images of   political figures, cine actors and Sports personalities but this particular choice is definitely strange.  When spoken to, the auto-driver simply said, he wanted to be different from the crowd and hence this photo.

 

Interesting !
 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
25.3.2026
  

3 Parakeets !! ~ கல்லிலும் இறைமை !! கிளிகளில் இயற்கை. !!

கல்லிலும் நாம் காண்பது இறைமை !!  கிளிகளில்  நிறைந்திருப்பது இயற்கை. !!

 

Parrots  are spiritual symbols.  They are epitome of energy, they  usually symbolize speech, repetition, desire, intelligence.  Parrots are associated with Kama (the god of love) and sometimes with romantic longing, beauty, and attraction. Because they repeat sounds, they can also symbolize: recitation, wisdom, mantra, oral tradition, or the power of spoken words !!   

 

At Kakinada, East Godavari – at Sri Bhavanarayana Swami temple, more than a decade ago, took this picture of three parrots sitting on the divinity, seeking solace in Lord.  While one perches above the head, one rests on the left hand and another on His right hand.  Together they seemingly suggest – Thought, Speech and Action.   

Perched at the top, it represents the mind: ideas, imagination, memory, and ego.

It sees first, but it can also wander first.  Close to the hand and heart-side, it can symbolize words: what we repeat, teach, gossip, pray, or sing.  The parrot on the right stands for deeds: what we actually do in the world.  

A sacred life is not just about worship carved in stone — it is about aligning:

•          What you think

•          What you say

•          What you do

When these three are in harmony, even ordinary life becomes holy. In short, these three parrots came to rest at the Temple after travelling many a miles !   

One said, “I know.”

One said, “I speak.”

One said, “I do.”

Lord remained silent observing them and by the  evening, the first had imagined many truths, the second had spoken many truths, but only the third had lived one.  

And together they understood :  “Wisdom begins in thought, shines in speech, but is proved in action.” 

Interesting …  AI aided wisdom story from Aasami sirippu sinthanaiyan

 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
25.3.2026 

Happiness is !!!!!!!

 

ஓம் என்றோம் ! - உன் பாதம் பணிந்தோம்

Happiness is a state of mind !

twle of Two leagues and that of Two Nations ! Hail thy Nation.

 

After the euphoria of ICC T20WC 2026 win … comes the IPL extravaganza.  The tale of two leagues !!! IPL & PSL  !! [also tale of two Nations and the comfort that we enjoy in INDIA] 

Away from Nations completion, the Club game / Premier league is a different league by itself.  Much before the fever gripped Cricket, it was English Professional football featuring 20 clubs that caught the attention of the World.  Sooner, Indian fans understood that loyalty to a club transcends their area of living – that way teams like CSK, MI, KKR, RCB have a very huge fan base. 

The IPL 2026 extravaganza kicks off on March 28, 2026, featuring a mix of high-octane cricket, star-studded entertainment, and new tactical innovations like a proposed dual-coin toss (more on this in a separate post). With venues across India, the tournament promises intense action, including emotional, high-profile clashes. The IPL is known for combining cricket with Bollywood-style entertainment, fan parks for rural engagement, and massive, high-tech opening/mid-show spectacles. 

IPL is a big big money spinner.  The 2026 auction concluded with 10 franchises spending ₹215.45 crores to acquire 77 players, including 29 overseas, to boost their squads.  The league continues to be a massive commercial success, contributing significantly to the BCCI's revenue.  It not only BCCI but so many stake holders earning high values.  The upcoming IPL season is shaping up to be a landmark event for advertisers, with broadcasters and teams promising a host of new opportunities to engage fans and drive business outcomes.  

 

Right now it is pretty hot in Chennai yet yesterday fans gathered in huge no. for that promotion event showing their love for mercurial MS Dhoni – starting from 2008 and continuing grand now after 18 years.    On a scorching day, around 21,000 fans turned up at Chepauk, buying tickets ranging from INR 2000 to 30000, to see their Thala train in flesh and blood. MSD arrived in the city on February 28, and began training with the Chennai Super Kings squad behind closed doors from March 1. Chennai caught up with him through reels of his six-hitting and social-media videos of him watching Dhurandhar 2 at a popular theatre. 

Then there was this fan event, featuring performance from cine musician AR Rahman and actor  Sivakarthikeyan, but the biggest cheer was, of course, reserved for Dhoni. He raised the roof when he walked out to the middle at 4.30pm and engaged in some light warm-ups. The crowd went wild again when Dhoni kept wicket in fun match-ups, involving CSK OGs like Suresh Raina, Dwayne Bravo, Matthew Hayden, M Vijay, Ambati Rayudu and Muthiah Muralidaran. When he feigned to stump Bravo off Shreyas Gopal, the usually stoic Dhoni broke into a smile and gestured to his old team-mate that he had one-upped him. Twenty-one thousand fans appealed with Dhoni and celebrated with him.

 

Across the border the Pakistan Super League is scheduled to go ahead sans spectators, matches limited to Lahore and Karachi under austere drive reports Paki media dawn.com.    

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on Sunday that the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) would go ahead sans spectators while matches would be held only in Karachi and Lahore in line with the government’s austerity drive. The tournament, which is set to begin on March 26, will feature eight teams and 44 matches. It was initially scheduled to be held across six venues — Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, Multan, Peshawar, and Faisalabad.  

Addressing a press conference in Lahore on Sunday, the PCB chairman said the board, after holding consultations with the government and security agencies, had decided that the tournament “will go ahead as scheduled [..] but a few difficult decisions had to be taken”. Noting the government’s austerity drive, which was launched in the wake of the global fuel crisis triggered by the US-Israel’s war on Iran and aimed at fuel saving measures, the PCB chairman said, “On one hand, 25,000 to 30,000 people will be gathering at stadiums and on the other hand, we are telling people to restrict their movement. “So until this crisis ends […] we will not allow crowds in the stadiums,” Naqvi said, adding that it was a “difficult decision” which had to be taken. He further announced the cancellation of the PSL’s opening ceremony in line with the government’s efforts to minimise expenses. He said that the “gate money” loss the franchises would face due to the absence of spectators would be “accommodated by the PCB”.  

He also took the opportunity to apologise to the fans in Peshawar, where matches were scheduled to be held.  In a later press release, the  Pak Cricket board said, “In consultation with the government of Pakistan, and in line with the officially announced national austerity and resource conservation measures, the PSL has introduced a revised operational plan for the 2026 edition of the tournament.”    

Two weeks ago, the government announced unprecedented austerity measures to cope with the fuel crisis triggered by the US-Israeli war on Iran after hiking petroleum products’ prices earlier this month. The measures included a 50 per cent cut in fuel allowance for official vehicles and a four-day work week. It was also decided that 50pc of staff in the public sector would work from home; however, those providing essential services are exempt. On Thursday, the government had appealed to the public to adopt fuel-conservation measures to “avert the risk of petroleum products’ supply getting affected in the coming days”.  

Indian fans, understand how comfortable we live in this Nation – thank the Govt, thank our armed forces and thank everyone for this comfort.

 

Regards – S Sampathkumar
23.3.2026

Election analysis ! Seat sharing !!!

 

Election time : there are discussions in seat sharing...and many are vying for seats.

In life too, every one dreams of so many things.

It is not enough if there is a nice  Seat (sofa), it is also important - where it is placed 

Thought for the day  - Aasami Sirippu sinthanaiyan