How was India in 1835!

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Quote on why a guy is still single

I think ..... so therefore I am single.

This is one short and crisp quote which I read on a guys t-shirt in Ashok Nagar, Chennai.

Rangoli drawn by Sai on the eve of Pongal

Aus Vs India --- 2007-08 cricket series ....

The highlight of the existing series between Aus and India is the '3 match ban' on Harbhajan Singh. To me, this is not at all acceptable. Why does ICC always have double standards?

From what I have read till now, I understand the both the umpires Steve Bucknor and Mark Benson have not heard any racial remarks by Harbhajan directed towards Symonds. Also I understand that there is no 'video' evidence to add value to this case. Sachin Tendulkar has also given a clean chit to Harbhajan. So does the match referee just take what Ricky ponting and Mathew Hayden said without any actual evidence in the case? What the hell?

If at all they could show the evidence (to the public) on which the match referee (Mike Procter) has concluded his decision it would be really great.

May be Australians are finding it difficult to play against Harbhajan and the only way they will not get out against him in the next test is by seeing him out of that match :)

Australian's are 'winners' as they have won the Sydney test and the one before no doubt about it!! but they are not 'Champion' side as they claim to be. Is cheating and unprofessional attitude towards cricket are the way to equal world record by winning 16 tests in a row?

Lots of poor umpiring decisions in both the test matches. Actually I feel Indian players would be afraid of the 'Umpires' more than 'Brett Lee' :( Because our players have the skill to tackle Lee effectively but what can they do if decisions keep going almost always wrong against them. Otherway to say is, Indians are playing against 14 members in the field (2 in field umpires and one 3rd umpire). The best part is a umpire asking Ponting on whether Ganguly is out or not and abased on this he has given his decision!!! It was really pathetic and I guess these bunch of jokers needs to sacked ASAP.

Further reading:

1. Check out what Peter Roebuck has to say on this here.
2. Sandeep Patil say's "Darkest hour since bodyline series"
3. Australian media calls Sydney test 'rotten'

One of the comment I read in a site regarding this issue which caught my eye is:

Please do not tell anything about Ricky. He is THE TRULY GENUINE CRICKETER OF THE CRICKET ERA AND WHOSE INTEGRITY SHOULD NOT BE DOUBTED. ON-FIELD umpires can seek the assistance of RICKY PONTING even if he is not on the field as he is the angel of truth and cricket. When he and his team does all the abusive and racial acts, it is the so called mental strategy/attack and when they are at the receiving end it is racism by our fellow Indians. Another prince of peace is our Symonds, if there''s something going on between any of our batsmen and aussy bowler, this superhero will come and save his bowler and will get a racial abuse. Look at Clarke, he is just an innocent baby, He doesn''t even know that he has taken the catch clearly. Australian cricketers are the true ambassadors of Cricket and they will win 60 test matches in a row with their smartness.

SMS I received now

In continuation to the current controversies which cropped up during the latest test between Aus and India in Sydney I got this SMS today :)

2008 CRI awards:
Best Umpire - Ricky Ponting
Best Australian Players - Bucknor, Benson
Honest Team - Australia
Best Actor - Michael Clarke
Honest Person - Symonds

Banner in Sydney Cricket Ground for Sachin ...

"Commit all your crimes when Sachin is batting. They will go unnoticed because even the Lord is watching," reads a banner at the SCG.


Sachin scored his 38th Test century today. He was unbeaten on 154 when India was all out for 532.

New Year .. SMS

I received quite a few new year wishes via SMS's today. Few of those wordings are listed below:

May you always find little moments of joy tucked in each day. May a kind word, a friendly pat and a warm smile be a part of everyone you meet. May you receive genuine appreciation for everything you do. And may every path you take lead to happiness.

Have a wonderful New year
-- Shyam & Family, my cousin bro.

We wish in 2008, 12 months of Happiness
52 weeks of Fine 365 days of Success
8760 hours of Good Health
52600 minutes of Good luck
3153600 seconds of Joy.
Happy new year.
-- Vinod Kumar, Friend from my schooling days. I got introduced to him when I was staying in Ayanvaram during my schooling days.

Yet another year is gonna end after creating history. Though few sorrows have overwhelmed our heart many sweet memories have filled those spaces. Let this new year which is on the edge to begin bring you all the happiness and joy you desire. Wish you both a very 'Happy new year 2008'
--Varalakshmi, Friend & Verizon Colleague.

Let this 2008 be yet another extra ordinary year with good health, prosperity & happiness wishing you a great success.
-- Prasheed, Friend from my schooling days. We studied together in Alaggappa Matriculation Higher Sec School in Pursai.

Keep the smile
Leave the tension
Feel the joy
Forget the worry
Hold the peace
Leave the pain
Be joyous for ever.
Wish you happy new year.
-- Santhi, Friend & Verizon Colleague.

Wish you a very happy and prosperous new year. Let your streams of dreams come true in this wonderful year.
-- Madhanraj, Friend from my schooling days. I got introduced to him when I was staying in Ayanvaram during my schooling days.

நண்பனை புரிந்துக்கொண்டால் நாளை உன் கையில்
கடவுளை புரிந்துக்கொண்டால் காலம் உன் கையில்
உன்னை நீ புரிந்துக்கொண்டால் உலகமே உன் கையில்
Happy new year
-- R. Srini, Friend from my schooling days. I got introduced to him when I was staying in Ayanvaram during my schooling days.

Let's welcome 2008 with cheer and zeal. May all your dreams come true! Wish you all success and a very happy new year.
-- Revathy, sis-in-law

Happy New year! Hope the year ahead brings utmost Joy & prosperity into lives and make it more memorable than the one that just rolled by...! Have a Marvellous 2008!!!
-- Sindhu (alias Aarthy) & Vijay, Cousin sis & my bro-in-law.

Dream is not what you see while sleeping;
it's the thing which does not let you sleep
-- Dr. A.P.J. Abdul kalam.

Let this new year bring, new inspiration, new hope, new joy to our life. Wish you all the best.
-- Rameesh Ramachandran, Friend who worked along with me in Agenda net marketing pvt ltd (an SSI group of companies).

கோலங்கல் (Rangoli) - 7

This Rangoli was drawn by my wife - Sai Lakshmi.