Viewpoint 8

Multiple Captaincy - A shot worth playing.

2009-04-17T15:05:00.006+10:00

John Buchanan deserves a note of appreciation on his courage and his ability to think outside the box and his persistence.

I'd like to stay out of the circle in which people all criticizing his thinking and confidently predicting this theory won't work. Sunil Gavaskar has had major issues with Australians and more than anything, its an attempt to satisfy his ego by calling John a novice who's never played test cricket. The latter is correct though, but it does not mean he doesn't know what he is doing. Harsha Bogle, an IIT/IIM guy, never played serious cricket should also be called a novice according to this theory.

I think this ideology is utter rubbish that to be a good coach, you got be the best batsman/bowler or the best cricketer. John has been in the business for decades now and he is the same person under which Australia had achieved great heights.

There will always be people who'll criticize you for everything you do. That means you are on the right track. People don't like changes, for good or for bad, everything does change and so this game.

We will have to wait and see how it works for KKR in IPL 2. It might be do wonders for them or fail miserably, time will tell. But this genuine effort of making a change is worth a go.

Good luck John and KKR.

Hmm

2009-02-09T16:08:00.001+11:00

Today's angel is often tomorrow's devil and both are driven by the same motive.

How true is that!

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication"

2009-02-05T11:58:00.005+11:00

Came across this statement on one of the networking sites today. Sounds good to me because of my not-very-loud lifestyle, more focused on substance than style.

Anyone on the other side wouldn't agree with it. Rightly so, only because I can relate, it makes more sense.

We would feed in anything that keeps us happy, wouldn't we? ; )

Stop crying now!

2009-02-03T10:09:00.005+11:00

"I could have continued for atleast one more year" - Saurav Ganguly, again in an interview with IBNLive.

Saurav,

First thing first, Indian cricket has given you a lot. Indian fans have given you more than what you have given to them. Now, since you have taken a decision and retired from cricket, its time you think about your future, your family and also at some point revert back on the glorious days at Indian cricket. On the contrary, you AGAIN state that you could have played for "at least one more year" and that you are "200% sure about it". You kidding me?

You played cricket for more than 10 years at the highest level, till you last match you could not learn to drag the bat in to crease while running between the wickets. You could not improve your fielding, your running a bit. What you have improved is how and when to use your mouth, it has worked for you in the past, even against the opposition.

Its time Saurav, that you shut up and show respect to the Indian team, the players and the now captain, Dhoni who is doing well. I admired you when you came back in Indian team after Greg left, you worked hard for the spot and did well too. You could have done exactly that through out your cricketing career Saurav.

Do not lose people who still admire you in bits by making such statements. You did well for the country, for cricket. You have had your days, they are gone now. Time to move on, do it gracefully, with dignity.

If he wins.

2009-01-21T12:12:00.009+11:00

I haven't seen this man playing a lot of games. In fact just bits of one game where he thrashed Djokovic in straight sets.

To me, this looks like the man who could do some wonders in 2009 Australian Open. His name is Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, hails from France. In his early twenty's and an number 8 by birth (17th April).

I will be following most of the matches and I would be extremely happy to see this bloke play against the top four. It'll be interesting.

At this stage however, I am looking forward to watch Safin vs Fedrer in round 3.

Yay! Weekend!

2009-01-09T16:28:00.003+11:00

This weekend is a much awaited one. May be because I started work after good old holidays. Loved the holidays - mates, a drive and open road. The best way to travel is by road - no doubt!

Saturday morning will start on the badminton court, I have accepted a friend's challenge on court (trying to keep a straight face). My badminton is as good as Ricky Ponting's bowling skills. Though it'll be fun to keep this a secret till the end and still look everyone in the eye : ) It ain't over, till its really over. Go Balboa!! : P

It'll be followed by a nice breakfast at La Perouse. Overlooking the calm, morning water. Not to mention the loser will bear the bill, and so will do a practice session tonight. Hitting the bird's bum should not be that difficult after all : D

Happy weekend!

A 100!

2008-12-22T14:55:00.003+11:00

How sweet it is to reach three figures with a flat six to midwicket? - Very!

My third ton in Australia and first for my current club this Saturday was a result of our chase for 246 runs in 35 overs. I wanted to open, my captain though thought otherwise who sent me 2 down, which apparently put me on the crease in third over, with extra pressure of two dead batsmen. Having lost past three matches in a row and playing for a place in semi's, it was a huge task to achieve 246.

I was caught at long off trying to hit my 10th six of the match. And the very moment I knew we've lost the match. We did eventually. My wicket in 31st over left us with a scoring rate of 10 runs per over and 3 wickets in hand. The runs proved to be too many.

In spite of this individual achievement, we lost the game. A very sweet ton, in the end, leaves a mouthful of bitter taste.

Is prior experience irrelevant to the current situation?

2008-11-06T16:40:00.005+11:00

We focus on incidental emotions, emotions triggered by a prior experience that is irrelevant to the current situation..

Complicated decisions, important decisions, life changing decisions are often based on how we feel. I mean after all the possible rationale, its ultimately based on how we feel about it. My rationale would never allow me to buy a Gallardo over Evolution as Evo can do as good a job as Gallardo in city (Yes! I've been watching lots of Top Gear and trust Jeremy Clarkson). But its my feelings towards the brand, their logo - my favorite animal. Its not my need, its a desire.

This feeling itself, this emotion leads us to a possibility of making a mistake based on the emotions triggered by prior experience, again which are irrelevant to current situation..

But prior experience, is it only the learning (read: good things)? Taking a wrong decision this time will become my prior experience next time? At least this theory says so.. that means I will not make the same mistake again? i.e. I will not buy a 5K watch over a $600 one?

May I will.. may be I will not. I'll decide when I am going to buy. However, it is definitely something I'd like to have a conversation on.

A happy client!

2008-11-03T19:30:00.006+11:00

A well prepared report, followed by a brief precise presentation make a client say: well done!

Happy to have finished 'management consulting'; the subject in my last semester. The client was a non-profit organization in Sydney, they were struggling to make connections with similar organizations in their area. Without any marketing, specially the communication, it was hard for them to achieve results.

It should not be the case anymore, plenty of work has been put in the report. Recommendations are 'excellent' and its 'possible' for them to implement without putting 50K in advertisement.

Smiles and warm handshakes ended the final presentation and I heard the client say "High Distinction!" Did you hear that too prof?!

Hard Times...

2008-10-31T15:39:00.003+11:00

Every morning starts with morning news, hoping to hear something that puts a break on the downfall of world economy. Plenty of money is already lost, many brokers are broke.

This morning on Trading Day, they reflected on the small upward movement of ASX, said people are still looking for opportunities to sell the painful stocks they have in portfolio rather than seeing it as a sign of start investing.

Not a good sign, are we expecting worse?

UTS Investment Society

2008-10-09T10:45:00.007+11:00

UTS Investment Society. It has been a great journey so far, started with some mates talking about it over a cup of coffee. Its been months since then, we have put tons of time and effort and now it has a shape, a figure, an image. And it looks beautiful!

Its the first of its kind at University of Technology, Sydney. It has set a record of registering 130 members the same day it was launched (4th September, 2008). It is the fastest growing society at UTS. We are now the official society of School of Finance and Economics at Graduate School of Business, UTS.

What we do? - well.. check our website www.utsis.org

But it only tells what we are and what we do. What we are not is Facebook, neither any other social networking club, neither 'Jesus save the world' society and certainly not limited to any region, country or race. We do business, we mean business. We speak one language, no - not love, business.

As a co-founder and the Director of Strategies, I couldn't be happier to see it growing like it is, to see the students so excited to be a part of it. It has been great so far - here's my toast to it!

India vs Australia - Part 1.

2008-10-09T10:34:00.004+11:00

Its starts again today!
All the interviews, comments, talks, hype would play its role in the park. From some time now, the headlines have been

"just one last thing lads"
"Harbhajan is going to fire me up"
"Ind-Aus rivalry bigger than Indo-Pak"
"We will win 3-1"

Anything written on Ind-Aus test series is being read. I just can't wait to see it live, all players from both teams are saying "its past, no grudges.. " type of things, I seriously doubt. Being a cricket player myself, I fail to understand how one can forget the intensity, the rivalry and the emotions. Rubbish. But not blaming them, they need to be politically correct.

3.16 more hours to go before the first bowl is bowled.. and I am looking forward to it!

Second week

2008-08-05T15:39:00.006+10:00

Its already the second week of my final semester. Could not even breathe before I am due for another lecture tonight. A lot happened in first week and I bet second third and all thirteen weeks are going to be the same. Good start - and I am loving it!**

** The writer has absolutely no intentions to promote Macdonalds by using their tag line. But the writer is a fan of Leo Burnett and thus, happy to use it in one of his posts.

Hierarchy of God(s)

2008-07-08T15:15:00.003+10:00

My trip to ISKON temple today was great, the lady singing 'Hare Krishna Hare Ram' still thrills me. Excellent voice and the whole atmosphere was simply superb. The chants started slowly, lead to an experience where everyone forgot the world outside and got together to chant those four thrilling, involving words 'Hare Ram Hare Krishna'.

It was followed by an open dinner, where the followers ate 'Prasad' in form of traditional Indian delicacies. All went well, it was great and in fact I've decided now to visit the temple every last Sunday of the month.

But there was just one small thing that made me worry. Before the evening 'Aarti' started, I was talking to one of the care takers, he gave me small Hindi books to read, the books of various chants from various God(s) with their meaning at the bottom. Though I could not made much sense of the Sanskrit, but the meaning below caught my eye. It said - "Some non-believers consider Shiva (one of the Hindu Gods), Durga (the Goddess) and other Gods equal to God Vishnu. It is a sin. There must not be any comparison with God Vishnu to any other Gods."

I was quite surprised reading that. Therefore, to make sure that I've comprehended it correctly, I went through the entire chapter twice. This is certainly not the message those books want to deliver. We are not even talking different religions! This is all in one religion that is Hinduism.

I think its completely okay to follow the God in whatever form i.e. Lord Shiva, Lord Vishu, Lord Ram, Lord Krishna. As long as the followers are sensible enough to not to differentiate 'your God' with 'my God'. No one has seen God and all those 40,000 + forms and shapes (only in Hinduism) are human imaginations. Who decides which one is superior, and does it really matter when there's just One. I have visited Temples, Mosques, Gurudwars and Churches. The bonding, the connection is found everywhere and truly, thats all I care about.

While I was dining at a small restaurant, a guy comes and asks the 45 years old waiter "Do you use halal meat?" the waiter replies "No mate, but if you don't know, everything tastes the same".

A bit more..

2008-06-04T02:09:00.003+10:00

Its kinda relaxing after a long day even when time was flying. Four submissions in a day and red bull certainly gave me enough wings to keep my feet on ground - not entire body. But important thing is, its done and dusted.

Now, my watch shows 2:40am, I know I have to get up early tomorrow for to meet with my team to finish the assignment. I should be in the bed snoring. Though I am watching creative commercials on you tube, reading about Amazon's Kindle and watching tv with tennis on it. Why would I do it? A good idea is to sleep, but there is this almost sadistic approach to push a little bit more. Will it help me in my assignment tomorrow? - No. Didn't my Mum said go to bed because I was sounding very sleepy? - yes. Tomorrow, will I be putting more caffeine in my body than I should? - yes.

Guess I will push it a little more..

Customization

2007-12-25T10:57:00.000+11:00

The ultimate form of marketing - customization. It has already started, and without any surprises, it's coming down to individual level. A lot of firms are making profit, many will survive the tough times. But is it helpful to the firms who are still new, looking for growth? Lamborghini produced a limited number of Reventon at a price of 1 million Euros. All sold in a flash. Customers want to be unique, want to identify with such products, does the product goes with their personality, well.. may be, may be not, but the idea is to send a message to everyone. The rich would be what they want to be. Its good for business. The rich are helping the less rich to become more rich.

Obviously, not all the products can be customized, at least I can't see Coke selling 1000 different types of coke, one with no sugar, one with no sugar and no fat, one with lime, black, white, red etc. But I can see Durex coming up with 10 different sizes of condoms, for smalls and for bigs.

I am happy to be alive in this century, lucky enough to see the changes in the way of living. And in the next 40-50 years, another transformation. Well, only if I can make it till then.

Procrastination is...

2007-10-23T02:53:00.000+10:00

Alright. Long nights are back, tons of assignments to be finished, and finished in like each a day. I think of the time when this semester started and I told myself to be regular with assignments, start doing little everyday. But like all the times before in my life, I am doing it in eleventh hour. I managed to pull it off before, and I guess I would do it this time as well. But I won't learn from it. :D

like bro says : Procrastination is the mother of all f*ck ups.

One more down!

2007-10-19T01:14:00.001+10:00

and many more to go!

Economics assignment done! Submitted! huuhh. And now 3 more due next week on 3 days. Got to make UML diagrams, but Visio won't install. Always a shaky start.. bowl me out before I reach a two figure score :P

Okay now, let me find a way. Later.

The name is Bourne.. Jason Bourne.

2007-09-01T00:33:00.001+10:00

I was in train, coming back from work, somebody left 'The daily telegraph' on the seat. First page I opened, it said "Get over with Bond, Jason Bourne is here". Then there was the name - 'The Bourne Ultimatum' and just next to it, 4 stars.

I thought I would watch it soon, didn't know I would end up watching this superb thriller the same night! Ohh yeah! Excellent movie! Great script, great background and very good acting. You won't see Mr. Bourne at the beach in shorts, trying to look sexy, neither driving expensive DB9's, not even kissing a girl!! You want all that - watch Casino Royale. You want business, no nonsense, extremely gripping cinema - watch the ultimatum!

Matt does it again! And in style!

Its past, forget it!

2007-08-31T11:08:00.000+10:00

Ajit Agarkar bowled 2 wides when England needed 13 runs to win. India could not bowl them out even when they were 114/7. Mahendra Dhoni's bad throw and Zaheer's horrible fielding missed a chance of a crucial run out. India lost again!

In Agra, a truck killed 4 people, all of them were muslims. In response, they burned 12 trucks, a shoe factory and a petrol pump. police declared curfew, shot one man dead and injured 50 others. People prayed it doesn't turn in to a hindu - muslim thing. Who knows? The truck driver might be hindu. we all know it doesn't take much to ignite anger. I read someone's opinion on this issue on timesofindia - my voice, the guy said we should not make much fuss about it, its just an accident. Damn it is! And like we do all the time, just forget about it! Similar to what everyone in Indian cricket team says after a shameful defeat. Yeah.. forget it! Carry on with our lives as if nothing has happened, why let such things affect you.

Immediately after the bomb blasts in Mumbai local trains, people got back to life, which is good. But what happened to the dead? Who was caught? Who was hanged for this horrible act? And who is bothered to know? In bihar, a group of police officers shot workers in a bar because the bar was closed and they refused to serve them. What happened to those officers? Who knows? Its past, its gone. So forget it.

To my surprise though, everyone still remembers and laughs over Sharukh Khan's 'kkkiiiraan' in a movie made 10 years ago.

Miles to go..

2007-08-29T14:09:00.000+10:00

After all worries about assignments and studies, about job and money. There comes a day when you think things can not go worse than this, and they do. Then again you go back to your shell and as my dear friend said start living in 'slow motion', when people around you walk pass you and the conversations finish before you realize they'd started. Life runs at its own pace and the distance between you and life keeps increasing. You are tired and you start looking for escapes, sleep is probably one I could find. You start sleeping a lot, life is still running.. distance increasing...

And then something happens, you dare call it little miracle and things start falling in place. You get out of bed and your mind starts working overtime. You realize there are million things you got to do before you feel like sleeping again. And the poem '...miles to go before I sleep' crosses your mind, you smile to yourself, you sing a song, you wash your face, you write a blog.

And its time you start killing all these assignments one by one. :)

It's raining here..

2007-08-25T22:20:00.001+10:00

One of the rainy nights in Sydney.

Random thoughts occurring in my head. This MBA degree, these assignments, exams and most of all, expectations from an MBA. On the other hand, like today, don't want to read about world economy, don't want to learn innovative ways of marketing, or how a software is developed. Today, don't want to embrace my MBA degree, don't want to 'behave' like an MBA student, don't want to talk intellectual, business, don't want to be judged by what I wear and how I talk. Don't want to analyze everything, don't want to be noticed, don't want to be looked at.

Like today, I want to roam around the streets, visualize simplicity and possibly capture it in form of an image. Today, I want to sing, want to write a few things, want to appreciate the world around me, feel happy being a part of it, want to look at it. Want to wear a khaki hat and drive an inexpensive 4x4 around the country. Want to play guitar, sit on a rock in some farm and sing a happy song.

Someday, I hope to do all this, till then it'll stay with me while I'll work on my assignments, write exams, become an MBA for good.

Sunday bloody Sunday...

2007-08-12T16:45:00.000+10:00

For the first time today, did not do any house cleaning on a Sunday. Thanks to bro, he'd put in much effort last night to clean everything. Today, I chose sleep over a much exciting 'city to surf' run with all my friends. Very unlikely.

Damn! this Sunday is different. For more than one reason I believe.

After all its just a 'ball' game.

2007-04-30T08:43:00.000+10:00

Australia won the world cup again. Was anyone surprised? I wasn't. Why they won three world cups in a row? Did not lose in past 23 one day games, killed England 5-0 in Ashes, a not-so-technically-sound wicket keeper hits 149 in just over 100 balls, they can afford to ask a bowler like Brett Lee to sit out and serve drinks in the ground. Why would an amazing player like Glenn would want to retire when he's on his peak? Same goes with Warne.

There are questions and then their are answers which nobody really accepts. Just a few days ago I learned about Hayden and Symonds who went for fishing, their boat broke down and sunk, they swum for half day and came back to the shore! And I assume just after that they must have had a couple of beers and laughed about it. And it's just not about cricket. Talk rugby, swimming, tennis, surfing, skydiving, skateboarding, football and even Olympics. They are everywhere!

I hate dragging India in to this, I hate to compare them with Aussies but I can't help it. They are all human right? What's wrong! I ask this question every time I see India losing and crying after that. You know I really don't give a damn about how good a human being you are. If you are good enough to play for my country - you got to be good, you got to win damn it. I don't care if everyone tells me Sachin Tendulkar is very down to earth and everything - okay, that's very good what about his contribution to the team, is he winning matches for us? That for me is a hundred times bigger question. Aussies are loud mouth, arrogant and in-sensitive on the field but they win matches, they don't play to be nice and polite to everyone. They play to win.

Its kinda depressing at the end of the day. Australians deserve to win, but its not good for the game, no one is able to beat them. I feel bad for India, they lost to Bangladesh... huhh. I feel good for Sri Lanks they reached the finals.. and after learning all these things I strongly believe talent and skills come later. First its just a 'ball' game and Australians win because they have balls to do it every time!

Changes - are all for good?

2007-04-23T13:33:00.000+10:00

This morning, I logged in to check the regular emails. Suddenly a pop up window appeared and, my friend asked me 'sup dude!' People have used this word before as well, and I kinda understood it means 'what's up dude!'. I said 'I am alright, just woke up and...', I was interrupted in between and then my friend said 'No! I didn't ask you how are you?' I asked 'what's up, and that means what's going on!'

It was a big surprise to learn, these urban phrases have a meaning as well! For me it's a bit strange because I always use 'what's up' to know if they are alright, and if they reply me with 'Great! had a blast last night...' or with 'Screwed up! got terrible marks...' I take it. That's what I expect everyone to reply.

It's amazing how everything changes so fast. I've never been against the changes, that's the way of life but I don't know which way we are heading - we predict that robots will fight the war in next 20 years.... and at the same time at some corner 14 year old girls feeling insecure and complex because they are still virgins.

I hate to judge the goods and the bads for people. But I believe everyone has the right to choose it for themselves. I refuse to accept such changes, I am happy to watch national geographic and listen to Sting even though most people of my age prefer 50 cents, Akon and snuff dog or snoof dog whatever that is.

The choice is definitely mine - and I always like to remind myself where I belong.