For followers of Indian cricket, 2006 ended the way it began- with a tragic loss to a team that was just more determined to win. A loss to South Africa on the bouncy track of Durban would not be unexpected but the manner of the loss is what rankles me the most. And we are not talking talent. If there is one thing that separates the good from the great, it is mental toughness- ability to persist, rise to the challenge, have the belief that the impossible can be done, and be able to inspire everyone around you.
And the greats of Indian batting just dont cut it any more. And it starts with Tendulkar. Blasphemous for sure given all his lofty achievments but on pure merit and form over 2006 alone, he would struggle to get into any side in the world barring Bangladesh or am I missing Zimbabwe here, the two minnows of world cricket. And of course, people will turn around and say- remember his assault against Australia in Sharjah, remember his 98 against Pakistan in the World Cup...remember....., but wait- aren't we almost at the next World cup now- my memory is getting strained here.
What makes Australia a great team is that the team is above any individual. It is able to recognize when players need to leave the scene. Steve Waugh was gently nudged out even when he was arguably at his best. And he ended with 32 centuries, just behind the then world record of 34 centuries. Had he been playing for India, we would surely have given him a good chance to make the 34 centuries. Of course, he has done so much for the country- lets please allow him to do it- reach his personal milestone- please, please.... That is not an argument that works where performance is king. Australia are world champions because individuals are not above the team. In India, they are! And thats the big issue.
I am sure people will turn around and say- why blame Tendulkar alone. He got out to a good ball. What about Sehwag? Everyone wants Sehwag axed. Well, Sehwag has had a bad run but his average in test cricket in 2006 is almost 40, not great but what about Tendulkar? A glorious 24!! At least Sehwag scored a memorable 254. Tendular's highest. One half century- 63!!
All I want to say is- when people talk performance, lets not use double standards. And great teams aren't built on reputations, they are built on great performance, day in and day out- that builds your toughness, your resolve, your ability to fight the odds all the time and to produce consistent results.
Tendulkar is a shadow of his great self, especially in Test cricket. We waited forever for him to break Gavaskar's record of 34 centuries. What are we waiting for now? Till his average falls below 10.... or till we tour Bangladesh again!! Lets just hope he comes good in the World Cup! Otherwise, I might have to rethink my planned visit to the Carribean.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Friday, December 29, 2006
My person of the year
A couple of years back, research by Laura Nash from Harvard Business School on what it means to succeed pointed to four aspects- happiness, achievement, significance and legacy. Happiness is doing what you love to do, achievement is attaining a standard of excellence in what you do, significance is having a larger purpose to what you do and legacy refers to what you leave behind. Research pointed out that the people who have the ability to balance these four perspectives lead contended, fruitful lives and can be called successful. For me, the idea of balancing the four aspects is the crucial element- too often, one overweighs the other three- these are not totally distinct categories- the idea is to lead ones life in a manner that aligns all four. And that is easier said than done!
One person who seems to have done a stellar job on this front, one who is an unquestioned leader in his field (achievement), one who derives incredible joy at what he does (happiness), one who has disseminated his wisdom to thousands if not millions to make them reach their dreams (significance), and lastly, one who decided to make a significant contribution to society when he leaves (legacy) is Warren Buffet and for all of those but especially the last reason- he is my person of the year.
For a man who is the second richest man in the world, he leads a simple life (no chauffer, no security, no cellphone!!), has simple, enduring rules for investing- looks for integrity in management and a stable business to invest in, has returned incredbile returns year over year over the past four decades, freely discusses his mistakes, his philosophy, his rationale at his legendary meetings at Omaha with his long time friend and partner, Charles Munger, but what he did this year was particularly remarkable and in a way, not surprising with how he has lived all along- having accumulated enormous wealth over decades of sound investing, he decided to give it all away (or most of it) to the Gates Foundation that is working tirelessly in the areas of health and education to make our world not only heathier but to raise the level of literacy around the world- the only way out of widespread poverty and hunger. Buffet has never believed in leaving money for kids- bring them up well, give them a good education, a sound set of values and they will take care of themselves- a great philosophy to have.
For leading a simple life with extraordinary achievements in his field of interest (he started investing at the age of 11!), for his earthy wisdom, but most importantly, his enormous contribution in giving back to society, Warren Buffet is my person of year.
One person who seems to have done a stellar job on this front, one who is an unquestioned leader in his field (achievement), one who derives incredible joy at what he does (happiness), one who has disseminated his wisdom to thousands if not millions to make them reach their dreams (significance), and lastly, one who decided to make a significant contribution to society when he leaves (legacy) is Warren Buffet and for all of those but especially the last reason- he is my person of the year.
For a man who is the second richest man in the world, he leads a simple life (no chauffer, no security, no cellphone!!), has simple, enduring rules for investing- looks for integrity in management and a stable business to invest in, has returned incredbile returns year over year over the past four decades, freely discusses his mistakes, his philosophy, his rationale at his legendary meetings at Omaha with his long time friend and partner, Charles Munger, but what he did this year was particularly remarkable and in a way, not surprising with how he has lived all along- having accumulated enormous wealth over decades of sound investing, he decided to give it all away (or most of it) to the Gates Foundation that is working tirelessly in the areas of health and education to make our world not only heathier but to raise the level of literacy around the world- the only way out of widespread poverty and hunger. Buffet has never believed in leaving money for kids- bring them up well, give them a good education, a sound set of values and they will take care of themselves- a great philosophy to have.
For leading a simple life with extraordinary achievements in his field of interest (he started investing at the age of 11!), for his earthy wisdom, but most importantly, his enormous contribution in giving back to society, Warren Buffet is my person of year.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Sportsperson of 2006- An article by Sajith Sivanandan
Even as the year comes to a close, there are plenty of articles floating around about person of the year, moment of the year, sportperson of the year, personality of the year etc. Frankly, I find a lot of these articles lacking imagination. They tend to define things too narrowly and when they do take the odd risk, like Time did this year, you somehow feel that the surprise value of the nomination overtook the actual significance of the choice. I am publishing here an article that is different- different not in its choice of the sportsperson of the year (that is what it is about and got recently published in Today newspaper in Singapore), but different in its take for what it takes to be the person of the year. The writer, Sajith Sivanandan, apart from being a dear friend of mine, is an accomplished opening batsmen but I didn't realize that his prowess with the pen was as good as that with his bat! Read on!!
George Frederick Will, a Pulitzer winning author, once said, “Sports serve society by providing vivid examples of excellence.”
When sport serves society in this manner, it rises above being just a game; it rises above the mere commercial; it takes on a hitherto unknown hue. It uplifts the spirits of man and all those privileged to view and be part of that vivid moment of excellence. So who in sports defined excellence in 2006? Was it an athlete? A team? A moment?
Let us start then by defining excellence. It is after all a much bandied about word. Should excellence be judged by achievement alone? Would Italy winning the World Cup qualify as a moment or tournament of excellence? On the other hand should excellence by defined by a memorable moment alone? Such as a silken drive through the covers with a caress of the willow by Mohammed Yousuf, scorer of most Test runs in a calendar year in the history of cricket?
True excellence defies description. It defines the moments we keep going back to, it becomes the backbone of trends we follow and adopt eagerly, and it assumes significance in our lives and that of society. In 2006 Roger Federer re-defined the meaning of excellence. For that he is the Sports Person of the Year for 2006.
I hear the groans already. Isn’t Roger too obvious a choice you may well ask? Wasn’t he Sports Person of the Year a previous year? Why him again – make a controversial choice I hear in the background. Yes he may well be an obvious choice but there is nothing obvious nor commonplace about his excellence. Given his achievements and how he handles himself on and off the court, we may well ask – is he Sports Person of the Year or is he States Person of the Year?
Statistics are but mere numbers. 90 won and 5 lost do not capture the genius of Federer though they indicate a level of untouched excellence in a sport that has depth. Just a few points away from winning a historic Grand Slam, Federer is Sports Person of the Year for having done much more than just winning consistently, though that is table-stakes for being considered for this prize.
But what or who exactly is Roger Federer? Is he just a very good athlete? Is he only a Sportsperson – competing as all sportspeople do, striving to win titles at the expense of fellow competitors? Does he just hoard his fame and wealth? Federer is more than just an athlete. In an age where footballers are coached to dive and then do it, where drugs and substances in athletics and other sports refuse to disappear, where brawls on basketball courts set vitriolic examples for youngsters, where conspicuous consumption by elite athletes is rampant, Federer stands apart. In doing so Federer is actually more States-Person of the Year than just a sportsperson.
Nobody is respected more by his peers. Opponents grumble about losing to him but remain fulsome in praise of his game. Opponents seldom cite injury, bad line calls and lack of fitness as reasons for losing to Federer. More often than not it is always about how much better he was on that day.
There are no risqué locker room stories about the player. He has a small entourage, which includes his partner of long time and now fiancé, Mirka Vavrinec. Almost as if enveloped in the slip-stream of the champion’s elegance, they behave themselves exceedingly well. There are no stories of high-handedness, of celebrations running coarse and the like.
The champion also touches the lives of many by his actions off the court. Federer is a Unicef Goodwill Ambassador and what’s more takes that role seriously. In December of this year he will be in India on the second anniversary of the Tsunami tragedy that affected thousands. Few know that in the disaster's aftermath, Roger led several fundraising initiatives including the ATP All-Star Rally for Relief, a unique exhibition tournament with proceeds benefiting UNICEF's tsunami-relief programmes. He set up the Roger Federer Foundation as far back as December 2003 to help disadvantaged children in South Africa. His impact, as is evident, far outweighs what he has achieved on the court.
Above all he has married beauty and dignity to excellence and achievement in the field of sports such as no other. Winning is a happy by-product of this fantastic confluence. Federer could win for the next ten years as he has been for the past three years and his opponents will continue to marvel at his artistry without malice. Every match he plays today resembles a song full of the most exotic instruments that uplifts anyone watching it. And when he wins (which is often), he does it with unparalleled dignity. He strides the court like a statesman, commanding respect accorded to those who are 75 and not just 25.
I can’t say it better than Grantland Rice, an early 20th century American sportswriter:
For when the One Great Scorer comes
To write against your name,
He marks-not that you won or lost-
But how you played the game.
For all of the above and much left unsaid, Roger Federer is indeed States-Person and Sportsperson of the Year.
George Frederick Will, a Pulitzer winning author, once said, “Sports serve society by providing vivid examples of excellence.”
When sport serves society in this manner, it rises above being just a game; it rises above the mere commercial; it takes on a hitherto unknown hue. It uplifts the spirits of man and all those privileged to view and be part of that vivid moment of excellence. So who in sports defined excellence in 2006? Was it an athlete? A team? A moment?
Let us start then by defining excellence. It is after all a much bandied about word. Should excellence be judged by achievement alone? Would Italy winning the World Cup qualify as a moment or tournament of excellence? On the other hand should excellence by defined by a memorable moment alone? Such as a silken drive through the covers with a caress of the willow by Mohammed Yousuf, scorer of most Test runs in a calendar year in the history of cricket?
True excellence defies description. It defines the moments we keep going back to, it becomes the backbone of trends we follow and adopt eagerly, and it assumes significance in our lives and that of society. In 2006 Roger Federer re-defined the meaning of excellence. For that he is the Sports Person of the Year for 2006.
I hear the groans already. Isn’t Roger too obvious a choice you may well ask? Wasn’t he Sports Person of the Year a previous year? Why him again – make a controversial choice I hear in the background. Yes he may well be an obvious choice but there is nothing obvious nor commonplace about his excellence. Given his achievements and how he handles himself on and off the court, we may well ask – is he Sports Person of the Year or is he States Person of the Year?
Statistics are but mere numbers. 90 won and 5 lost do not capture the genius of Federer though they indicate a level of untouched excellence in a sport that has depth. Just a few points away from winning a historic Grand Slam, Federer is Sports Person of the Year for having done much more than just winning consistently, though that is table-stakes for being considered for this prize.
But what or who exactly is Roger Federer? Is he just a very good athlete? Is he only a Sportsperson – competing as all sportspeople do, striving to win titles at the expense of fellow competitors? Does he just hoard his fame and wealth? Federer is more than just an athlete. In an age where footballers are coached to dive and then do it, where drugs and substances in athletics and other sports refuse to disappear, where brawls on basketball courts set vitriolic examples for youngsters, where conspicuous consumption by elite athletes is rampant, Federer stands apart. In doing so Federer is actually more States-Person of the Year than just a sportsperson.
Nobody is respected more by his peers. Opponents grumble about losing to him but remain fulsome in praise of his game. Opponents seldom cite injury, bad line calls and lack of fitness as reasons for losing to Federer. More often than not it is always about how much better he was on that day.
There are no risqué locker room stories about the player. He has a small entourage, which includes his partner of long time and now fiancé, Mirka Vavrinec. Almost as if enveloped in the slip-stream of the champion’s elegance, they behave themselves exceedingly well. There are no stories of high-handedness, of celebrations running coarse and the like.
The champion also touches the lives of many by his actions off the court. Federer is a Unicef Goodwill Ambassador and what’s more takes that role seriously. In December of this year he will be in India on the second anniversary of the Tsunami tragedy that affected thousands. Few know that in the disaster's aftermath, Roger led several fundraising initiatives including the ATP All-Star Rally for Relief, a unique exhibition tournament with proceeds benefiting UNICEF's tsunami-relief programmes. He set up the Roger Federer Foundation as far back as December 2003 to help disadvantaged children in South Africa. His impact, as is evident, far outweighs what he has achieved on the court.
Above all he has married beauty and dignity to excellence and achievement in the field of sports such as no other. Winning is a happy by-product of this fantastic confluence. Federer could win for the next ten years as he has been for the past three years and his opponents will continue to marvel at his artistry without malice. Every match he plays today resembles a song full of the most exotic instruments that uplifts anyone watching it. And when he wins (which is often), he does it with unparalleled dignity. He strides the court like a statesman, commanding respect accorded to those who are 75 and not just 25.
I can’t say it better than Grantland Rice, an early 20th century American sportswriter:
For when the One Great Scorer comes
To write against your name,
He marks-not that you won or lost-
But how you played the game.
For all of the above and much left unsaid, Roger Federer is indeed States-Person and Sportsperson of the Year.
Dreamgirls
There are three reasons why Dreamgirls is a must watch movie-
a) The pace is superb, the script is tight, the music fabulous, and unlike other musicals, this movie is very real- it exposes the underbelly of the music industry in the sixties and seventies and what making "big" is all about
b) The casting is terrific- you would never have seen Eddie Murphy in a role like this, Jamie Foxx carries on from where he left off in Ray, Beyonce is understated, Anika Noni Rose, Keith Robinson and Danny Glover excel in their characterizations to make for compelling viewing; and
c) Jennifer Hudson's astounding performance- she is vocally brilliant and seems to be unfazed by the incredible acting talent around her- in fact, they seem to inspire her- she portrays the different shades of Effie White- the supremely confident, the jealous, the insecure, the moody, the indifferent, the humbled and yet ambitious nature- with such grace and passion that it is difficult to fathom that this is her very first movie. A Golden Globe nomination well deserved and I am sure many more awards on the way.
If you don't like musicals and wouldnt go to see it for that reason, it is a huge loss for you. The movie is as much a commentary on the meaning of success in life, the 'sacrifices' to get there, the deep question of values and quest for money as it is about the Supremes' incredible rise to fame and fortune.
A bigger recommendation is not needed I suppose!!
a) The pace is superb, the script is tight, the music fabulous, and unlike other musicals, this movie is very real- it exposes the underbelly of the music industry in the sixties and seventies and what making "big" is all about
b) The casting is terrific- you would never have seen Eddie Murphy in a role like this, Jamie Foxx carries on from where he left off in Ray, Beyonce is understated, Anika Noni Rose, Keith Robinson and Danny Glover excel in their characterizations to make for compelling viewing; and
c) Jennifer Hudson's astounding performance- she is vocally brilliant and seems to be unfazed by the incredible acting talent around her- in fact, they seem to inspire her- she portrays the different shades of Effie White- the supremely confident, the jealous, the insecure, the moody, the indifferent, the humbled and yet ambitious nature- with such grace and passion that it is difficult to fathom that this is her very first movie. A Golden Globe nomination well deserved and I am sure many more awards on the way.
If you don't like musicals and wouldnt go to see it for that reason, it is a huge loss for you. The movie is as much a commentary on the meaning of success in life, the 'sacrifices' to get there, the deep question of values and quest for money as it is about the Supremes' incredible rise to fame and fortune.
A bigger recommendation is not needed I suppose!!
Friday, December 22, 2006
Travelling internationally with a three month old!
When we indicated that we were going to Singapore and India to meet friends and family with our three month old, everyone told us we were crazy to be traveling with such a young child!! Barring a colleague of mine at the Bank- he indicated that between three months and a year is probably the best time to be travelling- the kid isn't mobile, he typically doesn't have demands beyond basic food and hasn't quite figured out his love for the video games! As long as the child remains fed and you are oblivious to fellow passengers' stares at the occasional cry at the oddest time- you will be in good shape.
The journey itself can be tiring under the best of circumstances. A 19 hour flight to Singapore, another five hours to Delhi and then a five hour drive to Jaipur where my parents live- that is a lot! I managed to read The World is Flat, watched two senseless Hindi movies on the plane, watched A Beautiful Mind for the umpteempth time, and discovered incredibly novel ways to amuse the baby. The wife didnt have that great a time though. Her plans were foiled time and again by our son who would choose to start squirming just as she would get settled to do something- either eat or read or watch a movie or just take a walk around the plane. This is where I think the men and women are wired very differently. While I would get a little impatient with our son's timing or lack of it, my wife was unfailingly patient with all his needs. She ate when he slept, watched a movie when he slept and fed him when he was awake. It was much tougher on her than me but we did some learn some golden rules of travelling internationally with an infant and here are the 10!
First- travel Singapore Airlines. Not for nothing is this the best airline in the world. Very prompt, very polite and very infant friendly- diapers, toys, wipes- you name it and they have it. Best of all, they do it all with a smile!!
Second- be thick skinned about fellow passengers who've never had babies. What you learn with infants is flexibility and anyone who gives you a stare for his occasional cry, just ignore it.
Third- carry his favorite toy. A lighted head with some music is an unbelievable toy at 30,000 feet when nothing else seems to work.
Fourth- whenever he cries, feed, feed feed. Over-eating is better than hunger pangs or possible dehydration.
Fifth- when taking off or landing, have him suck something so that his ears dont 'pop'.
Sixth- forget traveling light as you have a million contingencies to plan for.
Seven- be prepared that he will fall a little ill. Nothing alarming- big timezone shifts and climatic changes get to the best of us. He needs time to adjust, and he will. Do not panic.
Eight- Carry the medical kit for both you and him, you might need a few tylenols yourself.
Nine- Be patient and flexible with everything. Have an hour's cushion with everything you do.
And ten- maintain your sense of humor. Its the one remedy for all unplanned emergencies.
We had a wonderful trip and right through Christmas and New Year, I hope to keep posting my observations from my Asian sojourn. It was relaxing, instructive and as always, a lot of fun!
The journey itself can be tiring under the best of circumstances. A 19 hour flight to Singapore, another five hours to Delhi and then a five hour drive to Jaipur where my parents live- that is a lot! I managed to read The World is Flat, watched two senseless Hindi movies on the plane, watched A Beautiful Mind for the umpteempth time, and discovered incredibly novel ways to amuse the baby. The wife didnt have that great a time though. Her plans were foiled time and again by our son who would choose to start squirming just as she would get settled to do something- either eat or read or watch a movie or just take a walk around the plane. This is where I think the men and women are wired very differently. While I would get a little impatient with our son's timing or lack of it, my wife was unfailingly patient with all his needs. She ate when he slept, watched a movie when he slept and fed him when he was awake. It was much tougher on her than me but we did some learn some golden rules of travelling internationally with an infant and here are the 10!
First- travel Singapore Airlines. Not for nothing is this the best airline in the world. Very prompt, very polite and very infant friendly- diapers, toys, wipes- you name it and they have it. Best of all, they do it all with a smile!!
Second- be thick skinned about fellow passengers who've never had babies. What you learn with infants is flexibility and anyone who gives you a stare for his occasional cry, just ignore it.
Third- carry his favorite toy. A lighted head with some music is an unbelievable toy at 30,000 feet when nothing else seems to work.
Fourth- whenever he cries, feed, feed feed. Over-eating is better than hunger pangs or possible dehydration.
Fifth- when taking off or landing, have him suck something so that his ears dont 'pop'.
Sixth- forget traveling light as you have a million contingencies to plan for.
Seven- be prepared that he will fall a little ill. Nothing alarming- big timezone shifts and climatic changes get to the best of us. He needs time to adjust, and he will. Do not panic.
Eight- Carry the medical kit for both you and him, you might need a few tylenols yourself.
Nine- Be patient and flexible with everything. Have an hour's cushion with everything you do.
And ten- maintain your sense of humor. Its the one remedy for all unplanned emergencies.
We had a wonderful trip and right through Christmas and New Year, I hope to keep posting my observations from my Asian sojourn. It was relaxing, instructive and as always, a lot of fun!
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