29 May 2016

Sunday Reads


General Reads
  • The real reason why American controls its nukes with ancient floppy disks (WaPo)
  • The man who revived Renault and Nissan wants to save Mitsubishi (Bloomberg)

Controversial Read
  • Gujarat Lies: A collection of personal vendetta (Nirwa Mehta)

Fun Read
  • Can you identify these cars from film and TV? (BBC Auto)

22 May 2016

Sunday Reads


General Reads
  • Mamata keeps word: cops jolted out of 'golden crown dream' (Telegraph India)
  • Ideas-mukt Congress scripts its own electoral eclipse (New IE)

Controversial Read
  • The importance of being Subramanian Swamy (Swarajya)

Anecdote

It was a county match in England between Somerset and Glamorgan. An unknown batsman with unknown talent, named Vivian Richards was at the crease. Greg Thomas, the Glamorgan fast bowler thundered in and beat the great man's bat.
'It's red and it's round. Can't you see it?', the bowler taunted Richards.
The next ball was an action replay. The ball pitched three quarters of length on middle and off, seamed away, and once again Richards was all at sea and comprehensively beaten.
'It's red and it's round and it weighs four-and-a-half ounces. Can't you see it?', Greg Thomas quipped.
Richards took a stroll, summoned his powers of concentration, swung his arms around, took a fresh guard and got ready for the next ball.
Greg Thomas came running in. The delivery was right in the slot, and Viv launched into one of his trademark shots and smashed the ball out of the ground and straight into the river that flowed around it.
The maestro told the hapless bowler who almost died watching the ball go, 'You know what it looks like... now go and get it!'

16 May 2016

Indiana Joneses & Other Reads


General Reads

  • Calling all Indiana Joneses: Clue to Undiscovered Asokan Inscriptions (Telegraph India)
  • What you need to know about India's missile defence shield. Read the comments also. (Dawn - yes, its a Pakistani newspaper)
  • China's Cultural Revolution: No desire to dwell on the past (BBC)

Photo Gallery

Controversial Read
  • Reconciling three narratives about global growth (Bloomberg)

Anecdote

In a test match between Australia and West Indies, Ramnaresh Sarwan scored a superb century. In that innings, Glenn McGrath bowled an unplayable bouncer that zoomed past Sarwan’s face. McGrath went up to Sarwan and said, "How does Lara’s d%ck taste, mate?”. Sharp came the reply from Sarwan: ”Go and ask your wife.” 

15 May 2016

My Note


Today's Sunday Reads will appear tomorrow; am travelling.

14 May 2016

Fifth Anniversary of BJ's nocabbages


Today is the fifth birthday of this blog.

Its been great fun to share my not-so-simple perspective on a variety of things with you. I used to write a lot on politics, economics and social aspects in this space. However, in the last fifteen months, not much has come from me.

I have promised myself that I will go to my old ways: write and share more.

A lot in the political, economic and social fields has changed in the last one year. The economy, though not strong, is limping back to a higher growth trajectory; a good monsoon and some sensible economic management from the government, like creating a conducive environment for large-scale manufacturing, will go a long way in boosting growth, providing employment to the unemployed millions, and contribute to better electoral prospects for the central government in the state elections.

Politicians of various hues are trying to outdo each other in raking up nonsensical issues, like freedom of speech and educational qualifications.

Arvind Kejriwal, the original poster boy of the anti-corruption movement, has become the original drama-dharna leader. His politics is plumbing new depths. He is being increasingly seen as playing to the tune of the Indian National Congress - for example, he raised the so-called fake degree issue soon after the Agusta Westland scam broke out. Kejriwal is fast losing credibility, a quality more important than charisma in winning the hearts and minds of the electors.

On the blog's birthday, let me share a few good reads.

Jack Picone shares his most disturbing and poignant memories of war as a photo journalist. (AlJazeera)

Is technology becoming less disruptive? (BBC)

A short piece titled, 'Call it India'. (NYT) Sagarika Ghose and her ilk must be squirming.

By the way, check out the first post on this blog: Start with Farewell.

Thank you for visiting this blog. More to come!

01 May 2016

Sunday Reads


General Reads

  • AAPocracy and the cult of K (Open)
  • Barbie challenges the 'White Saviour Complex' (BBC)
  • What is 'May Day'? (CNN)
Photo Gallery
  • Celebrity transformations (CNN)
Controversial Read


Anecdote

Those were the days in the beginning of the eighties when the world Cricket was dominated by the power packed West Indies Cricket Team and the subtlety packed England Cricket Team. Pakistan also played a major part in the domination but not with their skills in the game but with their poor standards in umpiring.

During one of those days, Imran Khan, the captain of the Pakistan Cricket team met Australian captain Allan Border in an informal meeting in Sydney. During a chat, Imran told Allan Border: “AB, give me Sunil Gavaskar and B. S. Chandrashekhar from India,we will beat Australia.”

In a shocking reply, Allan Border said: “Imran, just give me two umpires from Pakistan and we will beat the whole world.” Imran Khan was left speechless. Later, a furious Imran Khan complained to the Australian board. Under pressure from his board, Allan Border tendered apologies to Imran Khan and Pakistan Cricket Board.