Mind Speaks
Mind Speaks – Arrival of Kochi Rajas – 2011 IPL T20
Mind Speaks – Arrival of Kochi Rajas – 2011 IPL T20
Well. Well. Well. A few weeks ago, I was writing against the domination of cricket and the prominence its players were getting when compared to other sports. Now, I am changing side. I haven’t got any bribe from the cricketing gods. It’s just because of the starting of the domination by some – individuals – underdogs like Paul Valthaty, Ravindra Jadeja, and – team – Kochi Tuskers Kerala playing in the 4th edition of IPL 2011.
A few days ago, everyone got carried away when Sachin Tendulkar got a 100 although getting out twice on his way to it. That day, while coming in to field, the whole of Mumbai Indian supporters including him and his team never believed the impossible to happen. They silently let loose a winning combination to perform and a team in its teething stages enjoy learning the “Will to Win”. With their bold decision to leave Muralidharan and Sreesanth out of the playnig eleven, Kochi Tuskers Kerala showed that the choice of playing good cricket is in the players hands. Wickets were falling at regular intervals and till the time Ravindra Jadeja hit those two powerful sixes, Mumbai Indians never really accepted that enemy have arrived in their front door, in fact already entered inside. I think it was an experience that would have taught Mumbai Indians to “never underestimate anyone” and today Chennai Super Kings too got a taste of this time proven mantra.
Every one might have thought that it was a one off display until the match that finished a few moments ago at Cochin with Chennai Super Kings. M S Dhoni and his team were unable to digest the fact that a team comprising of no big names when compared to theirs offering winning shake hands. Slow motion TV replays showed many of the players in yellow were unable to look at the face of Ravindra Jadeja. Its true, they just can’t believe or digest it. That was the effect of his sixes in this match that it could be termed the most outrageous act of recent cricket. It was as if he was proving a point or two to many.
Yes, this seasons T20 is proving out to be a commoners sports. Imagine any game that the village boys play with conviction and courage. It reminds me of my own younger days, when we used to play matches between village teams. Having left with limited cricket gears many times we go out to bat with one pad and one glows. We used to have a courageous young boy, Justin, amongst us, who worked part time as a taxi driver for his living. He was our trump card while playing bigger teams. He practiced with focus whenever he could get a chance that he was so accurate to hit the knee cap or toe end at any given opportunity to ball. He was thus lethal. When given the bat, the opposition had to always keep extra balls as his hits were outrageously huge to go far beyond our playground and reach the temple pond. Batters like Paul Valthaty and Ravindra Jadeja and our own RV Gomez with the ball brought back his memories. Its just a matter of will to win and winning ways.
Of course the rain gods kindness yesterday and the winning toss meant that it saved KTK from any further helicopter attack by MSD and company during the end overs.
For KTK batters like Brenden McCullum, Mahela Jayawardane, Parthiv Patil and Ravindra Jadeja have all stood up to the challenge they were thrown in. With no gimmicks or paints around, bowlers like RP Sing, R Vinay Kumar and Raphi Gomez comes in a bowl according to captains plans. We could see fielders throw in and “do all little little things right to get the final thing perfect”. I am sure these winning ways and cool approach by Mahela Jayawardane will give sufficient learning opportunities, self control techniques and winning ways to some of our temperamental players. This is a long series and if they re-learn those tricks fast, they too can join the party from within the ground.
Well done KOCHI TUSKERS KERALA. MY COLOR IS ORANGE AND PURPLE from now on. Good luck to all of you in the future games. For viewers these T20 matches gives a few management techniques along with sheer joy of power cricket within the shortest time. No two minds – this game is going to stay longer and its players with more money.
Ramesh Menon
19.04.2011
Mind Speaks – Golden Music from a life without vision
Mind Speaks – Golden Music from a life without vision
The music is simple, rhythmic and slow. I make it a point, a stop for a minute, watch them, listen to them whenever I pass by. It gives me an unknown joy and also in turn a minute of relaxation and stillness in my life.
I am getting to know them more and they too.
Enjoy a few precious seconds from one such stop.
Ramesh Menon
13.04.2011
Mind Speaks – Speed campigns should begin from individuals and organisations
Mind Speaks – Speed campigns should begin from individuals and organisations
Mind Speaks – Are you an Indian – then a life without cricket is going to be difficult?
Mind Speaks – Looking forward to ICC 2011 World Cup India – Pakistan Semi Finals / Sreesanth should be given a chance
Mind Speaks – Looking forward to ICC 2011 World Cup India – Pakistan Semi Finals / Sreesanth should be given a chance.
Ramesh Menon
PS: I know it is an extremely dangerous act to write a commentary supporting Sreesanth. God willing if given a chance and he gets on to the playing eleven, my prayers are he keeps his cool and take wickets, a bag full. My Short Take Published in Gulf Today of 26th March is thus dedicated to him.
Mind Speaks – The Art of speaking and Speaking from the Heart
Mind Speaks – The Art of speaking and Speaking from the Heart
I enjoy listening to speeches especially when it is about progressive matters in life. Attending the convocation ceremony of my son at Abu Dhabi Indian School, I got to listen some excellent speakers as they shared their
knowledge, experience and vision for the outgoing students of Class XII.
As usual, one speaker was outstanding in his speech. It was none other than Padmashree Dr. B R Shetty, Chairmain of ADIS Abu Dhabi. With his inimitable wit, simple language and concentration to fit in key points in between, he captivated the students and parents with several interesting topics within a short time. I always admire his speeches as he speaks from his heart and brings out important points in simple ways through example from his own life and work.
This has attracted me and whenever I get to listen to him, I video him talking. This routine followed this time too and I captured his speech in its full.
The programme continued and during the final speech, I realized, I have photographed all the speakers except Mr. Shetty. What to do? It was at this time that the speaker, a student highlighted the importance of his school life, the role of support staff and his memories and life at school and after, which he looks forward to. It brought in all the listeners, how the children visualize the world differently from adults. Listening to the young student, Mr. Shetty, suddenly got up from the dais and went to the event coordinator and requested her to give an opportunity to speak once again for a short time before the course completion certificates are distributed to the outgoing students.
Addressing the children for the second time he said, Dear Students, wherever you go and whatever you do afterwards, you should try and capitalize the experience and advantage of their study at ADIS Abu Dhabi, which is one of the best schools in the region and their stay in Abu Dhabi, which again, one of the best planned city in the region. They should be ambassadors of both the school and the city wherever they are. He requested them to visit the city their alma mater, whenever they get an opportunity to, and come back to the school, observe the new development and progress happening and requested to them to contribute to the welfare of the generation who are in it at that time. He advised them to take it as their own personal responsibility and commitment to the school.
Instant thought, reaction and action it was, but very valuable, not only for the children but all those who were present there.
It proved to be a blessing in disguise for me as I could then capture him while speaking and it completed my entire sequence of the evening, which was a very special day for me. It was my sons last day in school.
It is very rarely these days one get to listen to such motivating speeches and speakers who, without inhibition, takes the pain to request for an opportunity to speak again and that too from their heart to express an afterthought of importance.
Thank you Shetty Sir, you made the evening more blessed for all.
Ramesh Menon
12.02.2011
Mind Speaks – When the tail just can’t tell On India/South Africa One day Series 2011
Mind Speaks – When the tail just can’t tell On India/South Africa One day Series 2011
Hope we come out good in our own home conditions. There is light at the end of the tunnel. We have a long batting line up on paper, if not the bowling attack. And yes, we do have singh of spin who bat golden runs for the team in every type of this game. It’s true. Gone are the days where Indian spinners are those who can’t bat. But, we expect more. What if our tail just can’t tell the tricks of the opposition team, when our frontline batters fail often. Not much time left for M S Dhoni and company to sort it out.
Ramesh Menon
24.01.2011
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