the fastest on earth is not Usain Bolt ... not Cheetah or Peregrine Falcon !!!

On that day in  Sept 1988, we witnessed the spectacle of a man turning around after passing approx 60m – then raising his hand and still finishing in 9.79 creating a new WR.  Ben Johnson, the Canadian sprinter was rescinded the medal disqualified for doping. 

Mites, along with ticks, are small arthropods belonging to the subclass Acari  and the class Arachnida. The scientific discipline devoted to the study of ticks and mites is called acarology. In soil ecosystems, mites are favored by high organic matter content and by moist conditions, wherein they actively engage in the fragmentation and mixing of organic matter.

Usain Bolt now is the fastest man on earth – holding both the 100M and 200M World records – he is the reigning Olympic champion in three events, the first man to win six Olympic gold medals in sprinting, and an eight-time World champion.  Even Usain Bolt,  cannot outpace greyhounds, cheetahs, or the pronghorn antelope, according to a light-hearted comparison of the extraordinary athleticism of humans and animals in the Veterinary Record. Often we have read that the fastest land animal is the Cheetah which has a recorded speed of 96–120 km/h (60–75 mph). The Peregrine Falcon is the fastest bird, with a speed of 389 km/h (242 mph).  The fastest animal in the sea is the Black marlin, which has a recorded speed of 130 km/h (80 mph).

Humans can run at a maximum speed of 23.4 miles per hour (37.6 kilometres/hour) or 10.4 metres per second, which gives them the edge over the Dromedary camel. Cheetah is much faster and there are many animals which run faster than the fastest man.  Most Quizzers would answer that Cheetah is the fastest animal on land – Scientists would say differently !

To them – insects too are animals ….the Australian tiger beetle could run at a speed of 171 body lengths every second. On the other hand, a cheetah can run at around 16 body lengths every second. However, both these speed demons pale in comparison to P. macropalpis. The tiny mite is only around the size of a sesame seed but it can travel an astounding 322 body lengths in a single second.  So, the fastest land animal is Southern California mite (Paratarsotomus macropalpis), according to a team of researchers from the Claremont Colleges.

It is not speed and distance parameters alone but the body length – the mite was recorded to be running at 322 body lengths per second; which is equivalent of Usain Bolt running at 1,300 miles per hour. The presumed title holder Cheetah by this yardstick moves at a measly 16 body lengths per second. Since the mite’s body size is smaller than a sesame seed, it’s unlikely that the mite could actually beat Usain Bolt, with his great stride, in a one-on-one race. 

“Both relative speed and stride frequency increase as animals get smaller,” Pomona College biologist Jonathan Wright, who led the team, said in a summary of the research. The research team used high-speed cameras to record the mites’ speed in the laboratory and in their natural environment. Extrapolated to the size of a human, the mite's speed is equivalent to a person running roughly 1300 miles per hour.  The mite is local to Southern California and is often found running along rocks or sidewalks. Although it was first identified in 1916, little is known about its habits or food sources.The mites also are adept at stopping and changing directions extremely quickly, attributes the researchers are investigating further for potential insights that may be relevant to bioengineering applications.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

10^th Sept. 2014.

those glorious moments spent with GM Kidambi Sundararajan !!!

For the die hard Cricket  fan, 11.7.2026 was not good -  Shreyas Iyer  had close to the worst possible start to his captaincy career losing  all six completed matches, including losing to Ireland for the first time in international cricket - 2-0 in the series - then 4-0 against England.  .. what a fall for the Champions of T20I

At Triplicane (for SYMA) it was a great day – our Educational Aid function and this a post on a sweet, humble Sports person who by his demeanour gave us very pleasant feelings..  ..  not often one could sit near and converse with a Grand Master !! 

 

Chess is not a battle between black and white pieces; it is a dialogue between two minds. Victory belongs not always to the more intelligent, but often to the wiser. Intelligence discovers possibilities; wisdom chooses the right one. That is why Chess has long been regarded as a game of wisdom rather than merely a game of intellect.  The game encompasses – shrewdness, thinking ahead,  understanding that every move has consequences; there can be sacrifice for a greater goal, one needs to be patient rather than impulsive; learn from mistakes and always look beyond the obvious.   

"Every Grandmaster has mastered the sixty-four squares; the truly great also win hearts with their simplicity. A cherished moment with Grandmaster Kidambi Sundararajan, where the conversation was far more memorable than the photograph itself." 

A Grandmaster's mind is not merely one that remembers openings or calculates variations. It is a mind that sees possibilities where others see only positions. To the casual observer, Chess is a game of sixty-four squares. To a Grandmaster, it is a universe of ideas, patterns and subtle decisions. It is this ability to perceive order amidst complexity that distinguishes an exceptional player from an ordinary one. 

Among Indian chess circles, Kidambi Sundararajan is admired not only for becoming a Grandmaster but also for his humility, patience, and willingness to mentor younger players. Those who have met him often remark on his approachable nature and thoughtful personality.  

Kidambi Sundararajan became India's 19^th  Grandmaster in 2009. Since then, Indian chess has grown at an extraordinary pace. Today, India has nearly 100 Grandmasters, including prodigies such as R. Praggnanandhaa, D. Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and R. Vaishali. Players like Kidambi belong to the generation that bridged the era between Viswanathan Anand's pioneering success and India's emergence as a true chess powerhouse.  

A Grandmaster (GM) is the highest regular title awarded to chess players by the FIDE (the International Chess Federation). It is a lifetime title and is recognized worldwide as a mark of exceptional chess skill. The official Grandmaster (GM) title was introduced by FIDE in 1950.  Before 1950, the term grandmaster was used informally to describe the world's strongest players. There were no universal rules or official certification. Interestingly, the first Grandmasters did not have to earn "GM norms", because those qualification rules did not yet exist. 

The first Indian to be awarded the title of Grandmaster (GM) was Viswanathan Anand. He achieved the title in 1988, at the age of 18, becoming a pioneer for Indian chess. Before Vish Anand, Manuel Aaron became India's first International Master (IM) in 1961 

The Man of the post Kidambi Sundararajan, born in 1982,  exceptionally talented – his journey to the GM title included earning three Grandmaster norms:

•          July 2005 – Canadian Open International Chess Tournament (1st GM norm)

•          August 2008 – Badalona International Open, Spain (2nd GM norm)

•          May 2009 – Dubai Open (3rd and final GM norm)

After completing the required norms and satisfying the rating requirement, FIDE officially awarded him the Grandmaster title in 2009.   He attained his peak FIDE rating: 2526 (January 2010). 

In the first round of the 2018 Chess.com Isle of Man International, GM Sundararajan Kidambi was paired against Vladimir Kramnik, the 14th World Chess Champion, whose rating was over 300 Elo points higher. Most expected Kramnik to win comfortably.  Sundararajan had the white pieces and chose the English Opening; exerted pressure on Kramnik's queenside. As the game progressed into the endgame, the advantage dissipated and Kramnik began pressing with an extra pawn. Despite Kramnik's superb endgame technique, Kidambi defended accurately for 77 moves, eventually securing a hard-earned draw in an opposite-coloured bishop endgame.   

Though much is dwelt on this game – Sundarajan was to say :  I dont know if it was the greatest moment for me or not, it was a great thing to play a legendary player and draw, yes there were winning chances, but I didn’t manage to play accurate enough. There are several other moments of winning tournaments rather than hold or win one great player. Hard to limit a 30 year chess journey on one point  !!!  - words from the experienced wizkid !  

In case you wonder, what is great -     Kramnik is one of the greatest chess players in history. He defeated Garry Kasparov in 2000 to become World Champion and is regarded as one of the finest positional players and endgame experts ever. Sundararajan was not merely defending from the start—he actually had the initiative in the early middlegame before the game equalized. For many Indian fans, that game symbolized Kidambi's ability to stand shoulder to shoulder with the very best. 

The rivalry between Viswanathan Anand and Vladimir Kramnik is one of the greatest and most evenly balanced in modern chess history.  Overall they played 93 matches – with 71 draws each had 11 wins. Their most famous encounter was the World Chess Championship 2008 in Bonn, Germany.  

Yesterday at NKT National Girls High School, SYMA conducted its annual Educational aid function.  Mr Sandeep Somani, Vice-President – Finance & Company Secrerary, Prodapt Solutions Pvt Ltd;  Mr M Balasubramaniam, Director – Mangal Tirth Estates Pvt Ltd & Sri Kidambi Sundararajan, Grand Master (Chess) were the Guests of honour.  

 

As  Sri Kidambi Sundararajan walked in – almost half an hour before the scheduled start, his humility and the way he spoke us to all was delightful. He is a genius in every sense of the word - Chess teaches one to think before moving; humanity  teaches one to think before speaking. GM Kidambi Sundararajan appears to have mastered both. His games exhibit clarity of calculation; his writings exhibit clarity of thought. One engages the intellect, the other the reader's mind.  

During our conversation, I found not merely a Grandmaster of chess, but a gentleman of quiet humility and wisdom. It is often said that true greatness carries little noise. In GM Kidambi Sundararajan, one finds an accomplished player whose intellect is matched by simplicity and grace.  

The audience consisting of School and College students and elderly people was enthralled by the speeches of the distinguished Guests and for sure each one of them would savour those special moments with the Genius, genial personality – Kidambi Sundararajan.  

For me the few minutes spent with him are really, really inspiring, enlightening, moments worthy of remembrance ever.  Thank you Sir !!  

Regards – S Sampathkumar
12.7.2026 

  

Vozinha ... the name that became overnight ......... viral !!!

 

Very unlikely you would have spotted those tiny red spots near West Sahara !

 

In the annals of Atlantic history, the Cape Verde archipelago stands as a pivotal bridge between continents, its story beginning in the mid-15th century. For many people today, the islands evoke images of pristine beaches and vibrant Creole culture, yet few grasp the profound significance of their early years under Portuguese rule. This period, from the discovery in 1456 to around 1600, transformed uninhabited volcanic outcrops into a cornerstone of empire-building, primarily through their role as a slave trade entrepôt.  

Shift to FIFA World Cup 2026 -  As the final whistle rang out around the Atlanta Stadium, the cameras cut to Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha. Tears streamed down the 40-year-old's face as the magnitude of what he had just achieved was starting to sink in, after his side's 0-0 draw with World Cup favourites Spain. The stands erupted and thousands of Cape Verde supporters, who had carried their team with relentless noise for 90 minutes, celebrated together - hugging, dancing, and relishing the result. On the pitch, players raced towards each other in complete joy. Even the neutrals had been swept up in the occasion - by full-time, many were celebrating too. Against European champions Spain, veteran goalkeeper Vozinha had delivered the performance of his life to earn a heroic clean sheet and the most memorable result in his country's history.  

The 2026 FIFA World Cup features a record-breaking 48 participating nations, expanding from the previous 32-team format. Co-hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States automatically qualified. The tournament includes historic debutants such as Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan.  The 48 qualified countries, spanning all six continental confederations, are divided into 12 groups of four.  The tournament features a diverse lineup of 48 nations split into 12 groups (A-L), with notable teams including hosts Mexico, Canada, and the USA, alongside powers like Brazil, Germany, France, and Argentina. The competition spans all six continental confederations  

The goalless draw between Spain and Cape Verde in the opening match of Group H at the 2026 FIFA World Cup etched one name into the tournament’s history: Vozinha. At 40 years, the African goalkeeper became the undisputed star of the match, stopping seven shots on target from the Spanish attack. His performance at Atlanta Stadium not only secured his country’s first-ever point in a World Cup but also transformed the professional and digital landscape of a player who arrived at the North American tournament as a free agent.

 

Behind the nickname that’s now making headlines around the world is Josimar Tiago Dias. Born on June 3, 1986, in Mindelo on the island of São Vicente, the goalkeeper earned the nickname “Vozinha” (meaning “little old man” or “grandpa” in Portuguese) early in his career for his precocious maturity and on-field leadership. His path in professional football has been marked by stints in mid-level leagues in Europe and Africa, far from the major economic centres of global sport. 

Despite his experience and being the player with the most international appearances in the history of the “Blue Sharks,” Josimar Dias’s market value reflects the complex situation faced by footballers of his age in the international market. According to records from specialized valuation platforms, the goalkeeper’s sporting rights, currently without a contract, are valued at €50,000.  This figure contrasts sharply with the multi-million euro valuations of the Spanish strikers he faced and defeated in the individual duels of the opening match. 

The impact of his seven key saves against Luis de la Fuente’s team triggered unprecedented growth on the goalkeeper’s social media platforms. Before kickoff in Atlanta, Vozinha’s official Instagram account had a modest following of nearly 50,000, primarily composed of Cape Verdean fans and supporters of the clubs he had played for. After the match, the goalkeeper’s profile went viral, driven by international viewers. This meteoric rise propelled the goalkeeper’s account to over 7  million followers in less than 48 hours, making him the new media sensation of the 2026 World Cup. With this record, Vozinha surpassed the digital phenomenon previously held by New Zealand defender Tim Payne, who had previously held the record for the fastest organic growth for a footballer from an emerging confederation following a viral campaign launched by Argentine content creator Valen Scarsini (El Scarso). 

The Cape Verde national team is now focusing its preparations on the second matchday of the tournament, where they will face Uruguay, who are coming off a draw and desperately need a win. Tasked with maintaining his team’s defensive order, Vozinha starts in net once again, aiming to play his way into a contract with a major international club. 

.. .. .. and in case you are still wondering those tiny dots … that Cape Verde Nation for you !!   Cape Verde  also referred in English by its Portuguese name Cabo Verde  and known officially as the Republic of Cabo Verde (Portuguese: República de Cabo Verde), is an archipelagic country in the central Atlantic Ocean off the coast of West Africa. It consists of ten volcanic islands with a combined land area of about 4,033 square kilometres (1,557 sq mi).  Cape Verde forms part of the Macaronesia ecoregion, along with the Azores, the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Savage Isles. The archipelago was uninhabited until the 15th century, when Portuguese explorers settled the islands, establishing one of the first European settlements in the tropics. Its strategic position gave it a significant role in the transatlantic slave trade during the 16th and 17th centuries; the islands saw rapid economic growth driven by the trade of manufactured goods, rum, and cloth for African slaves, ivory, and gold.   

Cape Verde became independent in 1975. Since the early 1990s, it has been a stable representative democracy and has remained one of the most developed and democratic countries in Africa.  The official language is Portuguese, while the recognized national language is Cape Verdean Creole (Crioulo), which is spoken by the vast majority of the population.  

 
Interesting !
 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
17.6.2026

Ace Shooter, Coach - Jaspal Rana - passes away at 49 !!!!

 

In general, Sports persons are fit and active for a longer span  .. .. BUT once a while we hear and grieve personalities dying younger !!  and one such is that of Jaspal Rana at 49 !

 

Jaspal Rana, the Asian Games gold medallist shooter who later guided Manu Bhaker to her historic double bronze-medal feat at the Paris Olympics as a coach, has died. He was  only  49. 

He won an Asian Games gold in 1994, and over the next decade, his cabinet would be brimming with medals. He couldn’t win an Olympic medal because his pet event, centre-fire pistol, wasn’t in the Olympics.  In the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Rana achieved a major milestone, winning three gold medals and a silver as a 30-year-old shooter competing in his fourth Asian Games, wherein he equaled the world record in 25 m Center Fire Pistol with 590 points.  

Jaspal Rana (1976 –2026)  won numerous medals in Shooting  at international competitions, including the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, and had been instrumental in shaping India's presence in shooting sports. He remains India’s most successful athlete in Commonwealth Games history, with a remarkable tally of 15 medals—9 gold, 4 silver, and 2 bronze—won across four editions of the Games: 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006. He was awarded the Arjuna Award in 1994 and  Padma Shri in 1997 for his contributions to Indian shooting. Beyond his competitive career, he was also known for mentoring young shooters and contributing to the growth of shooting in India, for which he was awarded the Dronacharya Award in 2020. Rana had been credited with helping Manu Bhaker win double bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

Shooting is an interesting sport and in the   London Olympics 2012 , 11 Indian  shooters qualified -  Seven male and four female.   Vijay Kumar did the Nation proud by winning Silver and Gagan Narang silver.  In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Abhinav Singh Bindra became the first Indian to win an individual gold medal at the Olympic Games.  Earlier, at Athens in 2004, Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore won Silver.   Thus making the Sports more popular and widely followed in India. 

In 2012, Jaspal Rana was appointed chief coach for junior pistol shooters by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI).   It was announced by NRAI advisor at that time that  Rana will be entitled to get a monthly salary of INR 50,000, with the other coaches getting INR 30,000.  Sethi was quoted as saying that "We are confident that Jaspal, with his experience, can help the junior shooters to take the next step. He has a great track record and should come in handy."   

 

The amount is no big when compared to what is gotten  in IPL yet Rana made it big as a coach in Shooting. Since 2018, pistol coach Jaspal Rana has been coaching Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker, though Bhaker and Rana briefly parted ways in 2021, but re-united in 2023 to prepare for the 2024 Olympics.   Rana also coached at the Jaspal Rana Institute of Education and Technology in Dehradun.   

Jaspal Rana was born in 1976 in a Garhwali family in Uttarakhand. His father Narayan Singh Rana is a 1971 war veteran who served in Indo-Tibetan Border Police and later became the first sports minister of Uttarakhand in 2000.   Jaspal has two siblings Sushma Singh (Rana) and Subhash Rana; both his siblings are also accomplished shooters. 

At just 18 years old, Rana was honored with the Arjuna Award in 1994, India's second-highest sporting accolade, acknowledging his early achievements in shooting.  By the age of 21, he was conferred the Padma Shri in 1997, India's fourth-highest civilian award, for his exceptional contributions to sports. Recognized for his excellence in coaching, Rana received the Dronacharya Award in 2020, India's highest honor for sports coaching.  Notably, he was awarded in the same year that his protégés, Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary, received the Arjuna Award.

 
Now he has breathed his last in age 49 !!  Sad !!!
 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
13.6.2026

கம்பெடுத்தா சொல்லி அடிப்பேன் ... .. Silambam

 

சாந்து பொட்டு…  ஒரு சந்தன பொட்டு…

 

கம்பெடுத்தா சொல்லி அடிப்பேன்… ஹொய்…

ஜல்லி காளையைப் போல் துள்ளிக் குதிப்பேன்… ஹோய்…

ஒரு பம்பரமாய் சுத்தி அடிப்பேன்… ஹொய்…

 

சூராதி சூரரும் தீரரும் யாரு…

கோதாவில் ஒத்தையா நிக்கிறாரு…

வந்தாக்கா நெத்தியின் மத்தியில் ஜோரா…

சுண்ணாம்பு பொட்டதான் வக்கிறாரு…

Praggnanandhaa is Champion of Norway Chess 2026

 

Heard of  Battle of Hafrsfjord ?

 

A proud day for the Nation – once a tongue-twister of a name  R. Praggnanandhaa... is most written name now.  The chess world and fans have gotten used to it as the Indian Grandmaster just keeps winning titles and accolades.

 

It is indeed a fairy-tale finish at Oslo.  Praggnanandhaa said  conscious effort to play faster helped in Norway Chess 2026 title win.  After two losses midway through the tournament and being relegated to last place on the leaderboard, Praggnanandhaa staged a remarkable turnaround to win the title.  He defeated Germany's Vincent Keymer in the 10th and final round of the classical event, securing the top prize of $100,000. On his way to the title, Praggnanandhaa also registered impressive wins over World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen and compatriot D Gukesh. 

Oslo  is the capital and most populous city of Norway. It constitutes both a county and a municipality.  During the Viking Age, the area was part of Viken. Oslo was founded as a city at the end of the Viking Age in 1040 under the name Ánslo, and established as a kaupstad or trading place in 1048 by Harald Hardrada.  After being destroyed by a fire in 1624, during the reign of King Christian IV, a new city was built closer to Akershus Fortress and named Christiania in honour of the king.  In 1925, the city, after incorporating the village retaining its former name, was renamed 'Oslo'.   

Defeating Magnus Carlsen to the title in his own backyard, in a tournament he has dominated, is no mean feat, and he did it in style, winning four classical games in a row to storm to the top.  “... Winning this is more special, and Magnus was there. Also winning four in a row,” Praggnanandhaa told the Indian media after beating Germany’s Vincent Keymer in the 10th and final round to register a historic maiden triumph in Norway Chess 2026 at Deichman Bjorvika on Friday night. It may or may not be the biggest title of his career thus far, but his history-making victory was a hugely popular one. He was swarmed by fans but managed to please them with autographs and pictures.

 

Norway Chess 2026 was the 14th edition of the annual chess tournament, held for the first time in Oslo, started on 25^th May and ended on 5^th June 2026.  The field of six players featured world number one Magnus Carlsen, world champion Gukesh Dommaraju, Vincent Keymer, Alireza Firouzja, Wesley So and R Praggnanandhaa.  The third edition of the Norway Chess Women was also held simultaneously, featuring women's world champion Ju Wenjun. Carlsen and Anna Muzychuk were the defending champions. The Open Section was won by R Praggnanandhaa;  Bibisara Assaubayeva won the women's section with a round to spare.  

The tournament was a Six player,  double round-robin tournaments, meaning there were 10 rounds with each player facing the others twice in classical chess. Like in previous editions, Norway Chess 2026 featured a unique system wherein players played an armageddon game in case the classical game was drawn. The time control for the classical games was 120 minutes for the entire game, with an increment of 10 seconds starting from move 41.     

Norway Chess tweeted : Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa is the Champion.  An unforgettable edition of Norway Chess comes to a close!  Praggnanandhaa clinched the title with a crucial final-round classical victory over Vincent Keymer, while Bibisara Assaubayeva secured the Norway Chess Women crown with one round to spare.  Congratulations to all players for an incredible tournament!

 

However, his journey in the tournament was far from smooth, as he found himself at the bottom of the points table at one stage. After starting with a win against Wesley So, Praggnanandhaa suffered defeats against Alireza Firouzja and Gukesh. Despite the setbacks, Pragg kept his composure and scripted a remarkable comeback to clinch the title in style. After beating Keymer in the final round, Praggnanandhaa revealed that his mother, Nagalakshmi, had made a striking prediction on June 1.

 

Bibisara Assaubayeva) is a Kazakhstani chess grandmaster. She is the reigning three-time Women's World Blitz Chess Champion.  At the 2025 Sharjah Masters tournament, Assaubayeva qualified for the grandmaster title. 

The Battle of Hafrsfjord was a monumental naval engagement fought between 872 AD and 900 AD that resulted in the unification of Norway under its first sole monarch, King Harald Fairhair. Fought in a fjord near modern-day Stavanger, it stands as the most famous and definitive clash of the Norwegian Viking Age.  Prior to the battle, Norway was a fragmented mosaic of competing petty kingdoms, tribal territories, and regional warlords.  Norway's history is defined by its transition from the legendary Viking Age of expansion to a unified kingdom. The country was first unified by Harald Fairhair in 872 AD, and later saw several formidable rulers and conquerors shape its trajectory through the Middle Ages and into modern independence. 

Interesting !!   – hearty Congratulations to Champion R. Praggnanandhaa.
 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
6.6.2026

 

horse saved from slaughter house turns out to be one with great past ...

There are games like Cricket, Football, Tennis, Hockey, Kabbadi, Table Tennis – and some more like Golf, Billiards – and Polo ! – which has some variations too.  The modern game of polo, though formalised and popularised by the British, is derived from the Indian state of  Manipur where the game was known as 'Sagol Kangjei', 'Kanjai-bazee', or 'Pulu'. The first polo club was established in the town of Silchar in Assam,  in 1834. There is water polo, horse polo and elephant polo too.

Horse Polo is a team sport played on horseback in which the objective is to score goals against an opposing team. Players score by driving a small white plastic or wooden ball into the opposing team's goal using a long-handled mallet.  Polo is played professionally in 16 countries. It was formerly, but not currently, an Olympic sport. In horse polo, the mounts used are called 'polo ponies', although the term pony is purely traditional and the mount is actually a full-sized horse. Some say that an average rider with a brilliant horse can play better game than his actual skill level, while a best player cannot achieve much with the wrong type of horse.  Horse was domesticated hundreds of year ago and has been with man doing many chores.   The present day polo horse is the result of more than a century of careful genetic selection and breeding.  

As the game evolved, the needs of the polo player and their needs from their horses also increased. The best players started looking for the fastest horses so they could out-ride their opponents and get to the ball even quicker. They found it in the thoroughbred race horse, which turned out to be so fast that many high handicap polo horses share stallions with the horseracing world to inherit these racing traits.  Speed comes at a price and often manoeuvrability is sacrificed.  A modification in the rules about horses' height allowed the use of the thoroughbred racehorse in polo. In present day polo, the estimated ideal height of a polo horse is 156cm, which is more common height in thoroughbreds than in a crossbred.

A great majority of polo horses are in fact mares. Female horses are preferred for competitions over gelded males for several reasons. The polo pony is selected carefully for quick bursts of speed, stamina, agility and manoeuvrability. Temperament is critical; the horse must remain responsive under pressure and not become excited or difficult to control. A well trained horse will carry its rider smoothly and swiftly to the ball and can account for 60 to 75 percent of the player's skill and net worth to his team. Polo training generally begins at age three and lasts from about six months to two years. Each player must have more than one pony, so tired mounts can be exchanged for fresh mounts between or even during periods, called chukkers. 

Even as it is said that polo ponies are quite costly, a £450 horse saved from slaughterhouse turned out to be a world-class polo mount which belonged to Prince William and Harry's coach.  Going by this interesting report that appeared in Daily Mail in Sept 2013 – When Michelle Wrenn bought Nata from her former owner, she thought it was a gesture of compassion for an unremarkable animal. She had paid £450 for the beautiful 23-year-old chestnut horse, who could have been sent to the slaughterhouse, after her owner realised Nata was much older than previously thought. Though she thought she had 'seen something special' in the ageing animal, Mrs Wrenn, 54, never thought to look in to her past until her curiosity was stirred by the animal's exceptional grace when being ridden by a friend.

But after investigating Nata's pedigree, Mrs Wrenn was stunned to discover that Nata was one of the world's greatest polo horses, who moved in the same circles as the Royal Family. Calls to a vet who had formerly cared for Nata revealed that the chestnut mare was once the mount of polo legend Carlos Gracida, a man who was once considered the greatest player in the world. Mr Gracida is also a friend of Prince Charles, and his former coach, who also trained Prince William and Prince Harry.

Her former owner had bought Nata under the false impression that she was just 13, and resolved to sell her quickly or - if that wasn't possible - send her to slaughter.  Nata had been passed between dealers and didn’t have a proper home.  Mrs Wrenn said  ‘I had her passport and there was one stamp from an English vet. When I called him, he confirmed it was the well-known polo horse.' She also discovered that Nata had more recently been owned by socialite Royston Prisk, who had ridden her competitively as recently as this year. She managed to contact Mr Prisk, who was shocked to hear how close the 'extremely special' horse had come closer  to death.

Interesting to say the least.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

10^th Oct 2o14.

Celebrating Women (I know and have heard of !!)

celebrating International Women's Day - remembering great women  !!

My knowledge of Cinema is very low – have not heard of this Hindi movie ‘Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey’   directed by Ashutosh Gowariker starring Abhishek Bachchan, Deepika Padukone  BUT feel bad in not knowing  Pritilata Waddedar !! – who ??- Gandhi and Congress fought Britishers and got freedom without drop of blood and Jawaharlal Nehru guided the Nation !!!!!  

                    According to Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, King Janaka of Videha Kingdom held a Rajasuya Yagna and invited all the learned sages, kings and princess of India to participate. The yagna lasted for many days. The galaxy of scholars, included the renowned sage Yajnavalkya.  There  were eight renowned sages who challenged him for a debate, which included Gargi, the only lady in the assembled gathering of the learned.  Gargi and Yajnavalkya's exchange centered on the ultimate "warp" of reality ("warp" means "the basic foundation or material of a structure or entity).  

This is a post on ‘wonder women’ ~ it would not require a Nobel for a woman to be impressive and an influencer    before you read further, this post is dedicated to all the Women known and those who influenced me – the list would start with my mother, sister, wife – my teachers at elementary school,  my female colleagues, my women bosses and my dear friends).. ..  also to those women who zip past in the morning – the Conservancy workers of Chennai metropolis.

Today (8th March) is International Women’s Day .. ..  Appreciating all Women I know right from my mother, wife, sister, sister-in-law, relatives, teachers, women bosses, female colleagues – and all feminine gender known to me- my  special greetings to all of them  ~  Happy International Women's Day 2026.

  

March 8, 2020 was a Red letter day  for  Indian women's cricket. India's maiden appearance in a T20 World Cup final, against defending champions Australia, drew 86,174 spectators at the MCG - the most ever at a women's or men's T20 World Cup final and for a women's sporting event in Australia.  India lost that match !  .. .. years later at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai in Nov 2025, India  won their first-ever Women's ODI Cricket World Cup  defeating South Africa by 52 runs.  In that finals India posted 298-7, with key contributions from Shafali Verma (87) and Deepti Sharma (58), before bowling out South Africa for 246.

In some ways this is a western concept – marking a day and attaching all importance to it by marketing it. Our literature has cherished  place for women and traditionally we are taught to respect women. Our moral stories are replete with instances of obeisance to mother and femininity holding them in high regard; yet 8th Mar would be a special day.

Any reference to women of fame would not be complete with writing about ‘Avvaiyar’ -  great tamil poetess  whose statue also stands in the marina closer to Queen Mary’s college. She  lived in the southern parts attributed to sangam period. Reverred to be noble besides her extraordinary poetic skills, the term means ' respected old woman' or 'Grandmother'. Her works include Purananuru and Aathichoodi. She had cordial relations with the Kings Pari and Athiaman.  

There are many others who achieved, though not as famous – Reena Kaushal Dharkshaktu was the first woman to reach South pole and Sucheta Kadethankar was the first to have walked across Gobi desert.   Devika Rani was the first recipient of the prestigious film prize, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.  Rajkumari Amrit Kaur from the Princely family of Kapurthala was the first Women Cabinet minister – she was the health minister in the Indian Cabinet for ten years after India's independence from the British Raj in 1947.

In Sept 2022,  a young Kurdish woman was detained in Tehran after allegedly breaching the country’s strict dress code. Days later, the 22-year-old died in custody — allegedly after being beaten by police.  Mahsa Amini’s death unleashed a wave of protests under the slogan “Women, life, freedom,” which came to express decades of discontent not only with the country’s veiling laws but with the ruling system itself.  

If there is one field where Men & Women compete together – it is Horse racing   where men and women compete directly against each other on equal terms, sharing the same tracks, prize money, and glory. While historically male-dominated, female jockeys regularly compete alongside men, and studies show they are often slightly underestimated by betting markets.

Jamie Melham is an acclaimed Australian jockey known for breaking barriers in horse racing. She has achieved historic milestones as one of the top female riders globally. Born in 1995 as Jamie Lee Kah, she started racing at 15 and won her first premiership in 2012.  She secured the 2025 Caulfield Cup on Half Yours, making her the first woman to win it, followed by the Melbourne Cup on the same horse, becoming only the second female winner after Michelle Payne.   By early 2026, she was named Woman of the Year.

If you still remember that name at the start – “Pritilata Waddedar” – here is something on that great woman [5.5.1911 – 24.9.1932] – a mere 21 years !

She studied in  Chittagong and Dhaka, attended Bethune College in Kolkata;  graduated in philosophy with distinction and became a school teacher. She is praised as "Bengal's first woman martyr". Pritilata joined a revolutionary group headed by Surya Sen and led  fifteen revolutionaries in the 1932 armed attack on the Pahartali European Club, during which one person was killed and eleven injured. The revolutionaries torched the club and were later caught by the colonial police.  Pritilata was born in a middle-class Vaidya Brahmin family  in Dhalghat village in Patiya upazila of Chittagong (now in Bangladesh).

In 1932, Suriya Sen planned to attack the Pahartali European Club which had a signboard that read "Dogs and Indians not allowed". [Remember this epic instance was clumsily captured in Rajnikant starrer Maaveeran]   Surjo Sen decided to appoint a woman leader for this mission. Kalpana Datta was arrested seven days before the event. So,  Pritilata was assigned the leadership of the attack.  On the day of the attack, Pritilata dressed herself as a Punjabi male. Her associates Kalishankar Dey, Bireshwar Roy, Prafulla Das, Shanti Chakraborty wore dhoti and shirt. Mahendra Chowdhury, Sushil Dey and Panna Sen wore lungi and shirt.  They attacked the club building and set it alight.  There was firing from inside by the Police officers.

An injured Pritilata was trapped by the colonial police;  She swallowed cyanide to avoid getting arrested. In Bangladesh, she hailed as an ideal woman.    A trust named Birkannya Pritilata Trust (Brave lady Pritilata Trust) was found in her memory. Pritilata's birthday is celebrated by the trust in different places of Bangladesh and India every year. The last end of Sahid Abdus Sabur Road to Mukunda Ram Hat of Boalkhali upazila in Chittagong has been named as Pritilata Waddedar Road.  In 2012, a bronze sculpture of Pritilata Waddedar was erected in front of the Pahartali Railway School, adjacent to the historical European Club.

Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey (transl. We Play with Passion)  is  an account of the 1930 Chittagong armoury raid -   an attempt on 18 April 1930 to raid the armoury of police and auxiliary forces from the Chittagong armoury in the Bengal Presidency of British India by armed Indian independence fighters led by Surya Sen.  The group included Ganesh Ghosh, Lokenath Bal, Ambika Chakrobarty, Harigopal Bal (Tegra), Ananta Singh, Anand Prasad Gupta, Tripura Sen, Bilash Dey, Bidhubhusan Bhattacharya, Pritilata Waddedar, Kalpana Dutta, Himangshu Sen, Binod Bihari Chowdhury, Subodh Roy, Monoranjan Bhattacharya.  Now honestly tell 3yourself – whether you know or read about any of these personalities who sacrificed their life for our freedom !!   .. .. [Mahatma Gandhi got us freedom without drop of blood and Jawaharlal Nehru guided the Nation!!]

In the footsteps of legendary PT Usha, Hima Das was a sprinter.   She holds the current Indian national record in 400 m with a time of 50.79s that she clocked at the 2018 Asian Games. She is the first Indian athlete ever to win gold medal in a track event at the World U20 Championships.  She received the Arjuna Award in 2018. A few years ago, Indian sprinter Hima Das    was  inducted as Deputy Superintendent of Assam Police and referred to the moment as a childhood dream coming true.  

Appreciations and greetings to all  Women known and those who influenced me – and pranams to those great women like Pritilata

With regards – S. Sampathkumar
8.3.2026