Harbinger of Future Economy - India

 How International Travel and Airports has changed in last two decades

I first took flight in 2002 and then travel was dominated by US and European. Today the Asian are really picking up and busiest Airports will be dominated by Asian. Tokyo yesteryear's only contender is not in the top.

Such a big change - I still remember all flights on-route to home used to go via European Airports and they all looked so Regal. Now the same European and even US Airports look so old and Jaded with Shiny Edifices that have sprung up in Asia.

Did I forget DALLAS (DFW) became 2nd most busiest with Pandemic - Mauke pe Chauka

But as Travel /Airport is harbinger to economical winds of change - it a clear re-passing of mantle of economic might back to Asian Countries. The "US and European had few centuries of hegemony and it is coming back to old hands" - said by someone else.

All reactions:

1Som Mukherjee

Resource for Electric Cars

Some Good YouTube Channels for Electric Cars – general educational as well Car  Reviews

• ·      Transport Evolved - YouTube Video – Mainly US Based
• ·      Fully Charged Show – Mainly UK Based
• ·      E for Electric – Mainly UK Based

All Elctric (BEVs - Hybrid) and PHEV (Full Electric) in US

https://evadoption.com/ev-models/

 

What to look if you want to buy your next EV - YouTube Video
Why Electric Car is cheaper to own in long term – YouTube Video- 
A Good Set of Video for a Beginner from Gas (ICE) to Electric - YouTube Video

Which new car will get Federal Rebates and how much - YouTube Video 

Federal and Tax Incentives for EV - https://blinkcharging.com/drivers/residential-incentives/

• Federal Tax Credit - many like Tesla are going to loose from Jan 1, 2023
• Austin has Credit for installing Level 2 Residential Charging
• 2nd hand Electric Car Rebate - From Jan 1, 2023 get $4000 Incentive if you buy Car < 25K

 

Cars from 2010 - More matured by now

• Nissan Leaf
• BMW i3
• Chevy Volt (Electric+Gas - Discontined from 2018 to Chevy Bolt)

Never Cars after 2016

• Kia Niro EV (Review after 3 years / 30 K miles - YouTube Video) - I personally wanted to replace Nissan Leaf with this one
• Hyundai Kona - (Youtube Review)
• Hyundai Ionic - (Youtube Review)
• Chevy Bolt  YouTube Video

 Election 2020 News Comments

Post Election 

Jan 2021

The Friday Massacre and After Effects

Great Article from Conservatives Bastion of why Wednesday for Trump's Legacy

Funny Take in Hindi about the Massacre

Why Trump did what he did and what will be do in last few days will be pardon himself - BBC Hindi's take after Wednesday Massacre

VP Mike Pence's affect after his renouncing Trump - 

Mike Pence Has Nowhere to Go
The vice president has no obvious place in GOP electoral politics.

Coronavirus new Variants and It's after effects

Dec 2020

WashingtonPost - Most presidents build libraries to burnish their legacies. Trump is constructing an alternate universe

Idea - How he still did not accept defeat after his first rally after election night or accept Covid's impact.  His concern is to see mobilize his voter base for Georgia Re-Election which will determine control of Senate.

 How Trump has trumped the Exit and other Analsysis

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/04/politics/donald-trump-2020-election-polling/index.html

Trump's overperformance of his poll numbers almost everywhere -- not to mention the likelihood that Republicans maintain control of the Senate and gain seats in the House (although fall short of winning the majority) -- are simply not explainable by the available polling data going into the election. They're just not.

And this isn't the first time we've seen this happen. In 2016, most polling -- not to mention the professional handicapping types -- suggested that Hillary Clinton was on her way to a comfortable, if not crushing, victory. That obviously didn't happen.

EarthX - 2019 Thoughts

EarthX Firm Festival-2019

Sunday Movie - Shorts

Union Town - Talk about underpriviledges communities are imapcted by enviromenatl issues more than higher incomes societies. With China's stopping of dumping of US waste it becomes even more relevant of additional stress this dumping could have.
Short Documentary talking about the Issue You Tube Documentary
The Movie - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b61W_g_w28Y [ As just releases you can not stream them]

Tree-line -TreeLine Watch Full Movie - 40 min long - Very Introspective one a great juxtaposing of Logical mind of Scientist with Zen/Buddhist thoughts on trees of Japanese. For the scientist Bristlecone pine is a great way to see how organism can withstand effect of climate change, especially relevant to trees as they cannot move unlike Animals. This species has oldest living life form with living trees which are over 5000 years old. This is nicely supplemented with philosophical element of how Japanese look into trees and it's influence and the rational for conservancy for them. Also talks about TreeSkiing put again explaining the same process via a Zen vs Western world.

Chasing Monsters - A Visual Delight of storm chasers and what propels them to head to disaster when everyone runs away from them. It encapsulated it whole when at the end the storm chaser after capturing a great shot or cloud and cone says "this is the reason why we come out here". See the link to official video  [ As just releases you can not stream them]

Full Details of Film Festival- https://earthx.org/film/#film-festival-2019

AFC Championship Game Thoughts - Seeing God last time or Seeing his Usurper

In the Pre-Game, everyone said the offense of KC and Maloney would crush the NE. In addition, LII winner and last year’s runner-up, the team have won 8 AFC championship winner. The team that defeated Kansas Chief in the regular season were still called the underdog. However, Tom Brady showed why he is called the best QB or even best Football player ever. And why he with Belichick is considered the best combination ever maybe in any sports. AFC championship win, with so many things going against them, tells it all and after LII Overtime win - see SI coverage - as they saw "Brady does it again against all odds".
(On the side note - will never know why KC went for the field goal at 3rd down and 10 yards and not tried for covering the 10)

What is will the historical perspective of this AFC win especially with Super Bowl a repeat with LA RAMS and Groff? We all know that Patriots are the best team of the Superbowl era and Tom Brady is the best Quarter Back of Superbowl era (I think they got this epithet after Superbowl LII). Though he has great players under Edelman Androweski and the new running black Hogan. This year might be seeing the greatest paradigm change in how Football is been played. I think we saw that in AFC Championship and will see that been played out in the Super Bowl.

The offense is taking over Football like I have never seen. See this article in NY Times "How Offense took over N.F.L.". What this article points of why this season was so different from any other seasons

• The 1,371 touchdowns scored in the 2018 N.F.L. regular season were the most for a single season in the 99-year history of the league
• Quarterbacks threw more touchdown passes than ever
• For the first time, both teams in a regulation game scored 50 or more points. 
• Dozens of individual and team offensive records fell as players raced up and down the field, 
• The AFC Championship was one of the greatest game I ever saw - it saw 4 changer-over. 4 times.
• The offensive power could be seen when one of the best QB, was resorting to running plays. Brady taking one of longest touch-downs for him, ever.

What really happened in the last few years, which started with the Rams? After relocating from St. Louis back to Los Angeles in 2016 and posting a dismal 4–12 season in 2016, the team's fortunes changed with the hiring of 30-year old head coach Sean McVay, the youngest head coach in NFL history. Under McVay and second-year quarterback Jared Goff, who recovered from a lackluster winless rookie season to record a triple-digit passer rating, the Rams improved to an 11–5 record in 2017. Then in 2018, they won their first 8 games and finished the year with a 13–3 record, tying the Saints for the best record in the NFC, this was followed by 2017 NFC championship win against Saints. Getting a bit more details The Rams offense ranked second in the NFL in both points scored (527) and yards gained (6,738). Goff continued to improve in his third season, setting new career highs in passing yards (4,688, 4th in the NFL), passing touchdowns (32), passer rating (101.1), rushing yards (108) and rushing touchdowns (2). His top receiver was Robert Woods, who caught 86 passes for 1,219 yards and 6 touchdowns. Brandin Cooks, an off-season pickup from New England via trade, also made a big impact with 80 receptions for 1,204 yards and 5 scores. The team's #3 receiver, Cooper Kupp, suffered a season-ending injury after catching 40 passes for 566 yards in 8 games, forcing Goff to rely heavily on other targets like Gerald Everett (32 receptions) and Josh Reynolds (29). Pro Bowl running back Todd Gurley was the team's leading rusher with 1,251 yards (4th in the NFL) and 17 touchdowns, while also catching 59 passes for 580 yards and 5 more scores. His 17 rushing touchdowns led the league, while his 22 total touchdowns gave him 132 points, 5th in the NFL. Running back C. J. Anderson, who made the Rams his third different team in 2018 after signing up with them in December, also was a key aspect of the running game, finishing the season with 405 yards and leading the team in rushing in both of their playoff victories. On special teams, JoJo Natson returned 26 punts for 280 yards, while kicker Greg Zuerlein made 87.1% of his field goals, including a franchise postseason record 57-yard kick to defeat the Saints in overtime in the NFC championship game. [ Details from Wikipedia]. Though they lost to Brady it showed what the paradigm shift in Football had already started.

If Rams changed it - it certainly took on Steroids, with Kansas Chief again new coach - Andy Reid and Rookie Quarterback Patrick Mahomes - see this beautiful article on SI - The transformation that went in Kansas Chief. What Andy did was a very fluid offense which morphs’ into whatever form it needs to confront the offense. As Bruce Lee's said - "be shapeless, formless like water".

As it was put "To watch Kansas City’s offense in 2018 is to participate in a sort of shell game, striving to keep track of movements as objects are deftly rearranged in front of you. Reid’s Chiefs send someone in presnap motion more often than they don’t. And through Week 8 they’d sent three or more players in motion 15 times, more than any other team in the league. Their two most dangerous pass catchers, Hill, and tight end Travis Kelce, dart all over the formation, creating for quarterback Patrick Mahomes endless possibilities for where to go with the football". [From SI Article]. 

This where I really think Chiefs' Andy/Mahomes combination might be one of the biggest change that in AFC or even football. Though there run ended a bit earlier but then again the reason why they were pitched as the top-sided team in AFC. So I am sure we are going to see many more of Chiefs and Mahomes. And with the end in sight of Brady's and Belichick's Football lifetime, we are certainly going to see some AFC Championship or even rings under Mahomes. That is why in my understanding with his age and explosive power, he is the next God to Brady.

This makes the Championship game so much interesting. Even if, it will a repeat of last year. This year is a very different side. Patriots who had matured against quality offense the new and upgraded Chief with Mahomes, winning twice against the Chiefs awesome offense. Rams on the other side had even a better season than 2017. Jared Goff and Rams are now more matured, after their first Super Bowl with the God of Football - Brady, and Team. So will give a much tougher fight than last year.

Sweets from different Portion of India

After hearing a co-worker that she had Gajjak - See link after her father got them from Karachi I thought I will research it a bit more at our end about how these sweets have become popular across. I always intrugued how sweets from certian part of India have become so popular around. I never heard people enjoying traidtionally North Indian sweets like kaju barfi or Rassa malai become so populuar everywhere. But born and brought in Calcutta and originally from North India where all the sweets origin from and my father always a connoseur of good sweet , a true brahman. I always felt I grew with a deep understanding of sweets of India. But I really feel the best done work on that certainly is done by Raghav Khanna using his articles especially in Hindi language but the Raja, Rasoi Aur Anya Kahaniyaan in Netflix is an excellent introduction to even me when I thought I was good enough Indiophile. 

So this time because my travels took me to different portions of India got these sweets so thought of researching a bit more of them and as I interacted with people and tried to answer their question, learned a bit more came to know more about the sweets. 

From Northern part of India

Mungfali Gajak - A white teel only - never a काला तिल (sesame seeds) sugar jaggery and peanut dessert. But interesting is other gajak see this link where a north Indian foodies describes the other gajjak and similar sweets like Rewdi and Laccha.
History - Origin from Chambal Valley in MP where you get both good sugarcane गणना and Sesame seeds (तिल). Gajjak is especially helpful during the dry heat and cold of harsh Chambal valley. Thus the most famous Gajak are from Morena Gajjak - See link. Again a misconception of people from Kanpur who feel Gajjak is from Kanpur area as Kanpur is the first big city close to Chambal valley. 

Aamir Khan does it Again - Reinvents yet entertains.... Creates a Main Stream Bollywood Blockbuster even though an off-beat movie

So after a long time went to see a premier. Actually a premier even before it was shown in India.!!!. And once more just like Dhoom 3 but more like Rang De Basanti, watching PK reminded all of us, why we like Aamir Khan. Not only he entertains, be brings forth some serious social questions. He creates a main Stream bollywood blockbuster, with all the drama, masala, emotional scene. Even though it has that tinch of an off-beat movie. But yesterday it reminded me, again, like so many Bollywood go-ers, why we always look forward to an Aamir Kahn movie. Be it Sarfarosh, Lagaan, Rang De Basanti, 3 idiots or Dhoom3.  Be amazed how this guy can produces these big budget, main stream Bollywood movies which have more to them than just Bollywood Masala.

Aamir Khan has always tried to re-invent himself. In the lands of Bollywood where there is set format , typecasting, ruled by types of Shahrukh Khan and Salman Khan. Where people just follow which gets the next big blockbuster. Aamir khan and to some degree Hritik are the few in between who have tried to elevate Bollywood movie to more thoughtful, meaningful, better Cinema. Especially taking into consideration Aamir Khan was a product of the 1980s, the crappiest era of Bollywood. But it was Sarfarosh, which I think he first ventured into his try where he was still Megastar to try to make movies that are not pot-boiler. The drama of that movie highlighted the flawed characters unlike the Rama like always pure heros and Ravan like Villians. On one side was Gulfam Hassan (Nasseruddin Shah's) deep resentment after partition and him cliding with Pakistan juxtaposed with the Muslim police-officer  Inspector Saleem who even same was still an upright who still had trust in his country and would be a traitor to his community than his land.

The year that was 2012, esp. "Back to Future" Gifts

We got two surprise in our lives and as it happens it came all the way from 2012. As it happen, we relish especially years in our lives especially years on. When you see with lenses of past.


Two cars to our Vintage cars (sort of). Both our old silver love finally got retired. For both of us our first true car. And for both of us first-time independence from using local transport for years at stretch.

And we replaced cars that are way of future of automobile. The first true electric car for masses. maybe in 40 years history will tell, that was the time when humanity moved from the dirty fossil fuel to cleaner oil. And then we could say, we were amond the first to get on movement. And with us surely will be Uma, who might know her all lives with us in the car of future. And still in Early 2018 with selling over 300,000 it still the highest selling Electric car yet and we have the original machine, shipped all the way from Japan with some that got efected by the Japan earthquake of 2011. See article 

And then Volt a correctly designed intermediate vehicle which bridges the gap from Piston/Engine to Battery powered.


But these two real people's cars unlike Tesla came from the vision of two great future thinkers in Robert Lutz then Vice-Chairman and in GM https://cleantechnica.com/2016/08/19/bob-lutz-says-chevy-volt-car-hes-proud/ and Toyota's

Punjab di Shaan

Growing up in India in 70's and 80's we were enamored by Punjabi community. At that time though having a population of less than 10% constituted around 30-40 % of wealth of India. But with the emergence of new economy from mid 90s which I am part of there is quite an absence of this community. Dominated by southern indian dominance. How come a rich and extremely abobting community missed out on it.


Decline of them

1. The Glitz side took over. As I read in Kulwant Sing about difference of the true Punjabis and after Partition completed devastated but now Nove-Riche Punjabi's of Delhi wanted to show-off thier wealth
2. The Khalistan movement of 80s and divisive sect that brought the schism between the Hindus (2011 Cnesus 38% and Sikhs 51%). Listening to the Hindu Punjabi in Goa University of how it brought difference between how Sikh did not associate themselves as Hindus. Got aggravated by Indira Gandhi's 1984 and then Beant Singh's/Punjab Police Anti-Khalistan movement in 80s and early 90s It was quite different than in the Indendence and espeically during Partition where the Sikhs were the Shields of the Hindus.
3. Religion which came out blood attaction to valor and militarism. Much different than two other Missionary sects like mahanaya Budhism or Jews where education and development of mins is ecouraged more

More Fun awaits you after your International Travel. More Fun that only happens when you return back home in USI

Thoughts After Mark Talked About His Issues When He Came Back to the USA International travel can be exhilarating, but there’s always a unique brand of *fun* that awaits when you return to the US. It’s a reality that most travelers don’t fully prepare for, despite the excitement of coming home. Mark, a close friend of mine, shared his experience of excessive questioning, intrusive screenings, and feeling like a suspect after a relaxing beach vacation in Cancun. His stories echoed many of my own, especially the frustrations of being treated as a potential threat when you only want to get home. For me, it was even more personal. When I traveled with my daughter and family, I felt the sting of unnecessary scrutiny. The journey was stressful enough as it was, and the extra hoops we had to jump through at US immigration felt like a step too far. Still, after the grueling process, you can’t help but laugh about it in hindsight.

Nimantran to Kolkatta. A very different way of invitation.. From maybe a very different Person also.... And even weirder from mouth of not even a person.....

Saw this short Video on Kolkata. And as quintessential Kolkatan, it is not the story but how it is presented.
See the Video here for

Commonfloor Uncommon Cities: Kolkata Nimantran

What is so special, it is being presented through eyes of an inanimate objects that epitomizes Calcutta. And when it is presented through the voices the object whose only aim is to fulfill our wishes, It seems the best Nimantran (invitation) ever. What makes it so special is that a nostalgic tings that intertwines the facts about most important to do of Kolkata.

But what is most interesting is that it comes from a brick mortar website selling a house/apartment. And that what makes it so interesting. Of how the two conflicting goal come together to bring such a beautiful synergy. Of how pure capitalism, where a website that is trying to sell some floor space is selling a culture. At it's bare, it is selling a city by hitting the nostalgic string. But that is where the creativity comes in.

And this so interesting which always enchants me. Of so many good art has always been produced when a basic intent is to project something more materialistic. Be it Medici Family and Renaissance, which not only produced great art but re-ignited or started the modern Scientific thinking. some other example would certainly be Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri of Mughal which was in a sense a self-propaganda at a really large scale.

Which leads to important thought. Which is, is art just manifestation of a more selfish goal. Starting from the first art in caves in France, where hand prints and painting of animals where signs of the booties to today's art museum like Perot Museum to Getty where one is perpetuating oneself long after one is dead.

But more importantly in this is except Michelangelo and few others, doesn't art in some sense makes the artisan, like people of Taj Mahal or even the creative artist of this Ad take back stage or soon sort of obliterate him. And Art gets connected with the man with money.

So the question is, is Art the flowering of human creativity or self-flaunting of a really rich person or now a corporation (remember as per law corporation is another individual).

Great Cricket Test Match-South Africa vs. India-Eden Gardens-1996

As they say test match is the great game. And when it is a true test it shows why still, to any avid cricket spectator will always put it above any other forms of cricket.

There were many great test matches. But the one I will cherish will be the 2 ^nd test in 1996 between South Africa vs. India t in Eden Gardens. A game that will always be remembered for the ephemeral cricketer, Mohd. Azharuddin. He was player like very few. A true believer in destiny. It did not matter what were the circumstances. If he believed it was his day, he will play as if it was his last. His wrist work was legendary. I am sure the wristiest player I have ever seen. And if one was looking for a good example of his true class and also his character than this would be the game.

I still remember where I was. I had permanently started staying at our new house. And with its little or no infrastructure, the only means I could follow the game was via radio. With the game being played in Eden Gardens, all of Calcutta was as excited as if it was the second Durga Puja in a month. The game was played from Nov 27-dec 1. But the most important reason I will always cherish the game was as I mentally saw the game, in RADIO. I say it as I always felt when you are listening to radio, with your imagination doing the seeing; it elevates game to almost ephemeral proportions.

For Mohd. Azharuddin he already lost his captaincy. Many were feeling it was the end of his career which was already 12 -13 years of some great cricket. It certainly seemed especially with coming of the new crowd of batting talent in Sachin, Dravid, and Ganguly & Laxman. But for his entire fan, this will be his phoenix rise, a display of what it meant to Azharuddin. And where else this rise could be besides his favorite venue, Eden Gardens. He comes to crease when all the top players were lost to certainly one of the best fast bowler of all times, Donald. Even in the dead pitches of India he ransacked the top half of Indian batting. India was 7/116 with South Africa already scored 428 in 1st Innings. Donald had already scrapped off the big shots and Azhar had to come back after being retired hurt at 3/87. Luckily Donald had to take off because of being hurt. And in this precarious situation Azhar comes to pitch. And what a game it became. Azhar massacred all the bowlers but especially the new debutant Lance Klusner. His innings was 0/95 after 14 overs, with one over where he was smashed for 4 fours. Azhar scored 106 and with him and Kumble they took India out of certainly a follow-on and innings defeat. 

But for lot of us who liked him, the 2nd innings showed why we like this enigmatic guy. 2nd Innings is very similar to 1st innings. India already has lost all the top line except Dravid with score at  4/28. Azhar joins Dravid. They score a good 60 runs, with Dravid scoring 21 in 121 balls. With his departure and with Klusner showing his mettle, Donald never played in the test again, the onus was with Azhar. But it was Azhar; he was still swash bucking as if he could push India out by his swagger. And this time it was Klusner's turn. And with Azhar gone India lost by 329 runs.

Though India still lost the game, as Klusner who was certainly one of the better fast bowlers showed his mettle in the 2nd innings when he got 8/64, . But for Azhar fans and especially people from Calcutta it was one of the greatest innings we would ever see.

You tube video of Azhar's 1st innings -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4MCwlGi-Mo

Why Nelson Mandela rings a bell in me

 Growing as Indian, just as Fareed had talked when he mentioned about Nelson, there was always a charm to the 19th century Liberal gentleman which Gandhi, Nehru and even Nelson was one. They were born to century old eastern philosophy but were enlightened by the missionary schools of the British system. And these two amalgamations produced a very powerful force in all these people. 

Where their hearts was still Eastern their outlook was Western, open, forward looking. As someone told about Mandela's spirituality, he believed in infinity. Something which is not very true, of any pure conservative eastern folks.

For us who also had a slight degree of same upbringing, but with a much more western world we were born, but certainly lived predominately in our later years, many of the thoughts and action done by them was more an anathema. To be surprised by the strength of power all these individual had. Be it Nehru’s writing his best book in Prison when the British were trying to crush their spirits and at a personal level with his wife dying. Or be it Mandela and his associates being always happy when they were tried for crime which certainly would have got all of them hanged. 

But with Nehru and Gandhi they will always remain an Anathema. They died much before I was born. And in many ways they will always appeal to me, in many ways I will never be totally be able to connect with them.

Mandela in that ways certainly is an exception. Though he is truly an Eastern 19th century Liberal gentleman, he lived in a timeframe where western forces of open markets and demise of communists is a norm. And in him I see a person who though because of his upbringing should have alighted to these current forces he did. Much like many of us, who have a very socialistic thinking but know that today's world demand embracing open market/Rageanism/Hayek for daily life. And that is where Mandela can be an interesting example of how to align the socialistic thoughts of personal upliftment in a market driven economy. Juxtaposed thoughts with divergent aims and thought processes.

one big reason to supplement my hearing of "The Documentary" by BBC on Nelson Mandela by a good Autobiography on him. Again the rational-de force which made me writes this article.

Living a Dream!!!

 Like most of us who come from the lower middle class in as they used to call 3rd World World. Where we grew up not really poor, but just an echelon below where poverty and hunger was a truth besides few days in our lives where food was a scarcity. With all these scarcity we grew up as hard working never feeling we were enlightened to anything. We had to earn and create a world where we want to be. So most of our lives we spent seeing we use every minute of our lives judiciously. This during our High School days meant, putting over 8-10 hours in study. Atleast we aimed for it. Could not do as we had to spend 1-2 hour commuting to school for studying.

And as they hard work does pay. And when I think about my life it has been kind to me. Knowing that there are millions of people who are more talented better looking and are entitled to be in my position, I feel humbled that I have what I have. Live in county which is at pinnacle of its height, coming from a culture which only recently has been started being appreciated for it greatness. Finally moved to a place which is considered by many "Time magazine article of why Texas/Dallas is what future of US will be" is the best place to stay (best city to stay after Boston). At a career level, finally able to work in Technology that not only pays well, but with most companies looking in going a big way in the online way, especially with mobile technologies’ penetration and ubituousness. But most importantly at personal level having a very loving wife, and certainly one of the best people I have ever meet and staying at a house in a nice neighborhood of correct size and location.

So looking back, when three of us grew in a 550 square foot space with years where my Dad's business was not doing good, thus financially insecurity. To a house sound-level still affects me still now, to nice work, place to work and great wife and family, I am indebted to people who have made this possible. Humbled that I am, this also carries with a duty to see that with my privilege I do not feel entitlement, but more importantly pass these virtues to others who are as entitled to better living as I am living.

Tendulkar Retiring or Is It My Affair with the Game Ending?

It had been on the horizon for a while, but when the news finally came, it was still hard to process. Sachin Tendulkar, the cricketing icon who had been a constant presence in our lives for over two decades, announced that he was going to retire. It wasn’t immediate—he hadn’t retired yet—but the mere declaration that it was coming felt like the end of an era. For many of us, his retirement had been an unspoken truth, something we knew would eventually happen but could never fully imagine.

How could the man who had been a fixture of our lives for so long simply walk away? The thought was overwhelming. Our generation had grown up with Tendulkar, watching him rise, struggle, and eventually dominate the game. His journey had been interwoven with ours in ways that were almost inseparable. To think that he was stepping away felt like the end of not just his career but of something much deeper—an end to the connection we had with the game itself. Our maturing as individuals seemed so tied to his career that his departure felt like we, too, were being retired from the sport we loved. 

In many ways, Tendulkar’s retirement symbolized a personal loss. It wasn’t just about cricket; it was about an entire era of our lives. His career, alongside the careers of other stalwarts like Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid, had been emblematic of the post-1991 transformation of India—a country emerging from its economic slumber and beginning to rise as a global power. The "India Shining" days, as espoused by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, mirrored the growing confidence of the country, with cricket serving as one of its most visible symbols of success. Tendulkar and his peers were more than just cricketers; they were the living symbols of India’s rise. 

However, as the global landscape shifted—especially with the 2008 financial downturn—the connection between these sporting icons and the India they represented became more poignant. India, along with the other BRICS nations, had weathered the economic storm, but the effects were still felt. It was during this period that we began to notice the retirements of some of these greats, and it felt like more than just the end of their cricketing careers—it felt like the end of an era. 

Tendulkar’s retirement, in this context, wasn’t just the departure of a cricketer—it was a farewell to an entire phase of India’s transformation. The post-liberalization, "India Shining" era that had begun with economic reforms in the early ’90s and accelerated through the new millennium had culminated in a golden period of cricketing success. But now, as these players retired, it seemed to signal the closing of a chapter. The transition was painful—not just because we were losing our heroes, but because their departures mirrored the fading of an era that had shaped our identity as a generation.

For us, the end of Tendulkar’s career wasn’t just about cricket—it was about the end of a time that had defined us. He and the other greats had not only represented Indian cricket on the world stage; they had also embodied the dreams and aspirations of a nation coming into its own. Their retirements marked a symbolic break from the "India Shining" days—days when we, as a country, felt on top of the world.

The moment Tendulkar announced his retirement, it was more than just a man walking away from the sport he had made his life’s work. It was a poignant reminder of the passing of time—of how, as individuals and as a country, we had matured alongside him. His departure made us confront the fact that we, too, were leaving behind an era that had been so central to our lives, and in some ways, that left us feeling unmoored. 

Tendulkar’s retirement wasn’t just his affair with the game ending—it was our affair with the game, and with the version of India he helped represent, coming to a close.

Hollywood and the war machine - Empire - Al Jazeera English

Hollywood and the war machine - Empire - Al Jazeera English

Watching Sachin maybe for the last time!

It is Feb 23, it is 1st Test-2nd day's Tea, between India vs Aus in Chintambaram stadium. It is Indian batting after Aus made 380sh. Importatnly the guys in the middle are Purjara and the great Sachin. They are 84/2 with both the batsmen in their 30s.

For Indian cricket fan there is certainly no better series than India vs Aus, especially when they are playing in India. Aus pitches still are a big hard for Indians. Not as bad as SA, but still not in the comfortable bracket. But for me as for many other cricket fan of my generation, it is all about Sachin. Sachin is 39, few months away from his 40th he is only a year away from the oldest player for India, Vinoo Mankat who played till 41 years. But unlike none to what I know he has over 23 years of international play. From Nov, 1989, when he was 16 years. So in a sense with 23 years in cricket makes him favorite amondg every generation of criket fans. To comprehend how long Tendulkar has played can be asertained that his batting partner Pujara, though 25 year was only a year old when Tendulakar played his first game. More interestingly in the current squad except Dhoni, Sehwag and Harbajan all others where less than 5 years old/and one Bhuvanesh was not even born. But that long tenure has its donwside. Sachin has reitred from both T20(2010) and ODI(Dec 2012) but none of his contemprary have long retired. His 3 year junior Saurav/Dravid have reited over a year back. And it is jsut matter of time that he is going to retire.

What makes Sachin-sachin is so many years of great criket he has givne to Indians and all the cricket lovers. He with the three other Titans (Dravid/Saurav/Laxman) made Indians a powershouse for over two decades. Mind wanders back to the great inning tbat Sachin played. The super 140s in Sharjah, or the magial 80s in the boucy New Zealand grounds. The fact remains for many of us who started watching cricket along with him, Indian cricket always had Sachin as an impotatnt ingedient in the team. With him gone, which will happen  very soon it would be a big lss.

For me with Sachin the same age as me, and with the other three it gave me so many hours of entertainment. And amny of them besides ODI innings it were the test matches. And the India vs Australia in India would certainly be the best among his innings. The best certainly would be the 1997 tour. Wiht likes of Warne and McDermott Sachin Devasted the Australian attack especially Warne, ending up with an avaerage of over 110 runs. Sachin was at his prime, actually scored max 100s during the period. And with some great innings including the 2nd innings where he with Azharuddin made 418 runs in 104 balls.

So with the evening setting in Chennai, and last few overs remaining of the day, and with Sachiin in his 60s, there is an aprehsension f wherhter he could get among his last centuries. Who knows how lng will he play. But as of tonight, I had time, and was able to enjoy his Innings, maybe my last. 

Is Indian Food Muglai? How Wrong could that be

Though had thought about it many a times but when I was talking about it with an old friend, it just refreshed it.

Everyone knows lot of people like Indian food. And as Healthy diet is becoming cooler so is the vegetranian or lean meat diet of Indian food places are pooping up everywhere. Back in hte old days, to what I saw and more importatnly what I heard from other immigratns who came before me ( SU Librarbian who came in 1960s), Indian food if you wanted it. It meant you make it. Or just make a trip to the Indian ghettos to NY city. There was no Little India in LA and nor the Silicon Valley's so called MG Road (aka El Comino Real). And certainly not the Huston and Dallas Indian grocery stores and resturants and dance halls which are like regular american Superstore. The Indo -Pak less than a mile away can be easily be mistaken as a small Supernarket Chain Grocery Store.

But still one thing that has not changed is the Indian food. Back then as today when you talk Indian food it is usually Muglai food. And that is where a serious anamoly comes in.

Muglai food is a delicacy. An extreemly spoisticated cooking that demands a lot of knwoelge of Indian spices which was perfected in the 18th centruy Landlords of Lucknow, the Nawabs. See Story of India- discussion of it. (Episode 6 - The Freedom - see from 18 minutes). Also see the PBS resource. A  ulmination of Spice capital of world and the Persian artsy culture. No other guess Taj Mahal is certainly the most famous of this mixing of oceans -Majma-ul-Bahrayn (The mingling of Two Oceans)), as Dara Shikoh talked about the culture and religion that came out of it also.

But Muglai food needs a lot of effort. Haven seen been done in my relatives who were once Landlords from the Licknow-Awad land.

So who then eats this food. Before the coming India and US market got hold of powdered easy to make Indian foods, I would say really few. Atleast I did not know anyone. You needed to be a true Bawarchi to make a Biryani. And for reagualr Mortals, to eat all that. If in Lucknow we had to go to Hazratgunj and if in Calcutta go to Lahore or places like that. Funnily hte reason why Calcutta came to know of how to make Biryani, it was because Nawab of Oudh aftre 1857 debacle was moved to Calcutta as was the last remining family of Tipu Sultan.

Indian food is more differnt and much more vibrant. It could be the true Punjabi rustic village food of "Roti and Sarsoon ka Saag" or Hindi Belts "Saabzi-rd spicees fresh watmusting a Persian word meaning a stoow). Be it Begali's Mustated oil Fresh water Hilsa to Goan fishy NMacarel amde with cocunit- portuguese breading and gaon kokum. From Vegetrarian Gujrati food using wheat and barley to South Indian all rice based food. And I certainly can not include the Kasmmire food or Bamboo shoot delicaies of NE or Tibetian food if you still feel it has some connection with India.

Yet when you go to

2:37pm

It is by Vani Subramanian...

Talk to you later! Have a good night...

Read about and saw a small exceprts of it.. I really think a true point.... To be frank so few makes or even can make Biryani or other epscial Muglai or Hyderabadi dishes at home.....

But when you call Indian food the first thing that comes is the extremely eloborate.. which I think is impossible without the powedered package to make all the espcial dishes

Muglai food is the eiptomthe of the 16th 17th century luzuries of the elite of the richest county in world... The Muglai India world

I am sure when in 200 years ppl look to some food of NY or western life style they might think the same

but a real good movie...

in case if you know if they might show it around TX tell me would love to see it

FYI a nice article on it

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/watch-your-diet/975262/2

By the way my best regional inidan food is the Konkani food.... thought originally from the famous Muglai Lucknow... I can never handle the over spiced Muglai food

LOL
TTYL