Isnin, September 29, 2025

Exploring Detective Fiction ~ CBC

 



Our Meet-up #87 that would focus on Detective Fiction, happened on 28th September, from 11 am to 1 pm, at Green Garden Cafe, near the Water Metro station, Marine Drive. It's a small waterfront cafe situated inside the Cochin Boat Club jetty, on the Marine Drive walkway. The menu is affordable  and the place also has a quintessential Cochin vibe.

You need to walk like Sherlock Holmes , not sit  like Hercule Porot !Since parking is quite a walk away to reach the venue.

But no matter, the hunt is on ๐Ÿฅฐ

Interesting to know the first specimen of the genre in England is The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins.

Writers popularizing the genre—Sherlock Holmes and Father Brow, American detective stories of the same period, especially those written by Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett, and explains the radical ways in which they deviated from the British novels, four formidable women writers of English detective novels: Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Margery Allingham, and Ngaio Marsh. 

Through its structure, a detective story also takes its readers on a path of discovery and engages them in the storytelling.

We covered more than 50 books, by various authors, region and time. Interesting to know the first specimen of the genre in England is The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins.


Writers popularizing the genre—Sherlock Holmes and Father Brow, American detective stories of the same period, especially those written by Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett, and explains the radical ways in which they deviated from the British novels, four formidable women writers of English detective novels: Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Margery Allingham, and Ngaio Marsh. 

Arthur Hailey, Agata Christy, Enid Blyton, Edgar Wallace Joseph Wambaugh, Anita Nair,  Ravi Subrmaniam, 3 Peters, 3 Helens and many more authors were discussed while few among the many books were Decagon House Murder Series, Blood Hount, The Honjin Murders by Kosuki Kindaichi, The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo Series, The Guest List..on and on..

Favorite of many included TinTin, Batman, historians and ofcourse no detective is complete without secretary and support characters like Della Strret, Dr. Watson, Miss Marple, Enola Holmes and many Inspector series.


Georgette Heyer's " Death in the Stocks"


The book Philip Sir mentioned.  And then he writes:

[28/09, 19:29] +91 88930 10130: Reminds the movie Anand Sribala.The film opens with the quote, “It is through intellect that we prove, but through intuition that we discover,” ( by Kerala police๐Ÿ™‚) setting the thematic tone for what follows. The story begins with distraught parents reporting their missing daughter, Merin, at north police station in Kochi, only to be met with indifference.

The parents are sent from one station to another before the case is finally taken up. Their ordeal worsens when Merin’s body is discovered in the backwaters near Kochi Wharf, and the police conclude the death was a suicide following a lovers’ quarrel.The fact that suicide was" seen" on Gosree bridge ( visible to us today) but body found near Wellington issland waa the twist๐Ÿ™‚ and murder finally proved!!... We were at the scene of action!!
[28/09, 19:32] PHILIP ABRAHAM CBC: I spoke about how impressed I was on reading Fifty Famous Detectives of Fiction, an anthology edited by Freeman Wills Crofts, at a tender age. I made a passing reference to Cortez and his men seeing the Pacific for the first time.

The reference was to a line from John Keats' sonnet On First Looking Into Chapman's Homer.

The poet compares his awe on reading the translation of Homer to   Hernรกn Cortรฉs and his men gazing upon the Pacific Ocean from a mountaintop for the very first time. The phrase highlights the awe and profound surprise felt by the men upon seeing this new, vast expanse of water, which was a significant discovery by explorers in the early 16th century.  

"Then felt I like some watcher of the skies
    When a new planet swims into his ken;
Or like stout Cortez when with eagle eyes
    He stared at the Pacific—and all his men
Look'd at each other with a wild surmise—
    Silent, upon a peak in Darien."
[28/09, 19:35] PHILIP ABRAHAM CBC: I realize i am being pretentious when I compare my feelings to theirs, but what the hell !
We too can use literary and poetic licence to embellish  ๐Ÿ˜





Interesting quote was mentioned presumably in one of Edger Wallace book "I am a detective, you look more like a mental defective". Most of the detectives have weird nature, dressing sense or character. Some stories we end up sympathizing the villain and pray that he should not be caught. 

Though Detective was the favorite genre of many, what was the real highlight was the ambience and location. 

Learnt a new word:


I also discovered another compelling reason why printed books may be better than ebooks ๐Ÿ™ƒ - If unsatisfied you can just throw away/bang a book but not an electronic device. 



I am always wonder struck that there are still so many people who read so much. In one's immediate circle.




Sabtu, September 27, 2025

Business School ~ Robert Kiyosaki (43 of 2025)

 

"The richest people in the world build Networks. Everyone else is trained to look for work"

The book Business School is a deep dive into the world of network marketing, which Robert Kiyosaki presents not merely as a way to earn money, but as a platform for personal development, financial education, and entrepreneurial growth.

He begins by saying network marketing business is not for everyone.  By reading the book you will know if it is for you.

Thomas Edition did not invent light bulb, he only perfected it. What they teach in school is not always right and complete. He was a business person and telegraph operator. 

"The richest people in the world build Networks,  Everyone else is trained to look for work."

Telegraph network, radio network,  TV network,  satellite network,  Amazon, Google 

Having a system and building a network makes people rich. There are many ways to become rich, but ultra-rich people create networks.


Birds of a feather come together, which means humans live with people like themselves. It can also be understood that rich people create network with rich people, and poor people network with other and more poor people.


So if you want to become rich, you have to  networking to help you become more affluent. But it is a challenging task to build your own business and convince people to have the power to do your network.


According to Robert Kiyosaki – If we want to be financially free, we should have three types of education which are – academic, professional, and financial.


Academic education teaches us to read, write and do maths; business education teaches us to work for money, and financial education teaches us how money works.


If our financial education is poor, we will work for rich people. How money works for us If it is not learned, we will have to work for money.


Building your business is the best way to become rich. Once the company is strong, or the cash flow is there, investing in other assets can be considered.


Other ways to get rich

A person can become rich by marrying another person for money.

A person can become wealthy by fraud.

You can become rich by being greedy.

People dream of becoming rich even by doing cheap things.

A person can become wealthy even by working hard.

One can become rich by being intelligent, talented, brilliant, or attractive.

Only by luck sometimes can one become rich.

One can also become rich by building a business.

Building a network marketing business is one of the newest ways to become rich.

This is a new and revolutionary way to become rich. This is a setup that gives the possibility to share wealth with anyone.


Network marketing businesses can also be called personal franchises or invisible extensive business networks. This new form of business is like a revolution because it allows sharing a property only for a few selected people for the first time in history.


There are many controversies regarding this business, and many people want to earn money quickly by fraud in this type of business.


But if you try to understand this business properly by taking a step, it is a socially responsible system of sharing wealth. This is not a good business for greedy people.


This is the only business where you can become rich, by helping others become rich.


Robert Kiyosaki says I support this business because some companies work with great compassion. If you stick with the business, the company stays with you. And some network marketing companies give the possibility of equal opportunity business.

Life-changing business education

Robert says there is no doubt about the massive earning potential of a network marketing business, but I recommend something other than such a business just for the money. Robert says the biggest reason for recommending this business is its “system of education.”


From the company’s compensation and products, it should be seen how much a company is interested in learning or training you. Skill makes us rich and not theory.


That’s why Robert named this book Business School for those who like to help people because network marketing business, real-life business school works for those who want to learn fundamental world skills to become an entrepreneur.

Cash Flow Quadrant

The renowned name in the franchise world is McDonald’s. Some people even called it illegal initially, but today McDonald’s franchise is in the big country to very remote places. The franchise is a business network comprised of multiple owners working together. In 1970, another type of network marketing business started gaining momentum.


Today this business is known as a network marketing business. This business has also been criticized a lot, but the speed from this industry, franchise, and traditional businesses are increasing continuously.


Many people need to see the rapid growth of this industry because, in most cases, it is an invisible business that does not have large sign boards like McDonald’s and Starbucks. It is hidden because it is virtual, so this business is mainly criticized by those not doing business.


In this business, we have to make people like ourselves, and our economic value will double as soon as they become like us. That’s why the success here in working hard comes not arithmetically but exponentially.


Many people found it sensible to start this business because it does not require lakhs and crores of money to do old-style business, nor does it need lakhs to buy a famous franchise. Instead, doing this business with excellent training at a meager cost is a much better idea.


To do this business, you need to open your mind because this business is increasing all over the world. The future of this industry is perfect because this industry gives you a chance to control your life and take your financial future into your hands.


Even if the old-thinking people refuse to see the growth of this industry, but still this industry will continue to grow with time.


Developing your most important business skill.


The ability to sell anything is the number one skill of any business. Selling ability is the most critical skill of B quadrant business. If you can’t sell, then forget about becoming a business owner.


We are all born with the talent to sell. In childhood, when we wanted something, we started crying; it was part of selling. In childhood, when we want something, we go to the father, then to the mother, and if we do not get that thing, we speak to the grandparents. As we grow up, this anything-seeking attitude gets lost somewhere.


Why is it important to have sales potential? How is this an essential skill in the B quadrant?


The answer is – the more we sell, the more we can buy. If you want to buy something, you have to deal with something first. That’s why selling is the number one skill.


When you apply for a job, you sell your professional skills; when you go home, every item in your house, whether it is frozen, a bed, sofa, television, and anything else, someone has sold to you.


Politicians are the biggest salesmen; the best teachers are the best salespeople. People are poor, unsuccessful, and lonely because they have failed to sell somewhere.


Whenever there is fear in us, our confidence and doubts get stronger—learning to sell means defeating your inner fear. The unique thing about network marketing business is that it gives you a chance to face your fears, deal with them, overcome them and bring out the winner inside you.

Only those people who are afraid of rejection do not want to sell. But in history, the most successful people in the world were rejected the most. So we should follow a formula in our life: Rejection and Correcton = Education and Acceleration. Education starts with rejection because we get a chance to do things better or differently next time.

Ability to sell is the most important business skill. Skill take you to places not theory. Network marketing is not for all, this book will help you know if it is for you.

We are not afraid to sell, we are afraid of rejections. Rejection = Success.

Fear of rejection,  low self esteem and lack of confidence will ruin your life.

 Success in network marketing business is teaching others to sell.

Not working for the money

People choose to work for money and not wealth. Wealth should never be counted with money but always measured in time. For example, if there is a savings of Rs 1000 and our day’s expenditure is Rs 100, then our assets are ten days. If the cost is Rs 50, then the wealth is 20 days.


Health or wealth is always according to time. Money comes in two ways: one is property, and the other is labor. To be rich, you must work for the money that comes from wealth.


But if you want to work hard for your whole life, then work only for cash, as most people do. Rich Dad says our financial statement is like our school report card, which tells our financial IQ.


People in the “B” and “I” quadrants work on building and growing their assets, not money.


Living your dreams

A lot of people don’t have dreams because dreams need money. The great value of network marketing companies is that they insist on fulfilling the dream.


Our friends or family sometimes innocently or sometimes intentionally kill our dreams. Those who have given up on their goals mainly kill the dreams of others. Rich Dad believes that it is not necessary to become rich or buy a big house, but the person we become in purchasing a significant home is significant.


Marriage and business

In Network Marketing BUS Business INESS, many couples build a business together. This business is perfect for those couples who want to do business together for some reason. These reasons are:


This business can be started together part-time.

You can work according to your schedule.

It helps industry families together.

In this industry, Most of the successful people are couples.

These businesses provide education for couples to grow and learn together.

Family business

Some of the primary benefits of network marketing business are –


It can be started at a low cost.

It does not require any formal education or degree.

These industries are equally open to all, regardless of age, gender, and race.

Companies are already providing established and successful systems that you can use to build your business.

Some companies provide excellent training and education so that you can become successful.

In this, your mentors are successful people from the industry ready to assist you in your journey.

By starting this business part-time, you can BUILD with your job.

It gives you a lot of tax benefits as a business owner, which you cannot get as an employee.

The most significant value of this industry is – it brings you closer to your family. There are many successful families in this business. Some of the qualities of the families involved in this business are –


They are all family focused

They understand the value of spending time with family

Children understand the benefits of their industry as well as their parents

They do more family vacations and business trips

Children learn passive income and financial education at an early age

Children choose to be part of the business of their own free will

In Most parents, one parent builds a full-time business, and the other with his job

The nature of this industry is to promote family togetherness and unity


The most significant gift of network marketing business is that we can build a business, not for our family, with them. The more successfully we spend with family, the more time and freedom we will have.


So, that was all in this book. Hope you would have learned the pearls of wisdom to implement in your life.


Business School Book Review

While reading Business School, I constantly reflected on my financial journey and reassessed my approach to money. Kiyosaki’s unique perspective challenged my preconceived notions and sparked a desire for lifelong learning and self-improvement in finance.


If I were to offer any critique, it would be that the book occasionally veers into repetition, reiterating certain points multiple times. However, this repetition also reinforces the core messages, which may benefit some readers who prefer reinforcement.


In conclusion, Business School is an eye-opening and motivational book encouraging readers to think differently about money, business, and wealth creation. Robert T. Kiyosaki’s insights and practical advice make this book a valuable resource for anyone seeking to break free from the traditional path and embark on an entrepreneurial journey. I highly recommend it to aspiring entrepreneurs and individuals looking to enhance their financial intelligence.

Core Themes and Values

The book outlines 10 core values of network marketing that go beyond financial gain:

True Equal Opportunity – Anyone can succeed regardless of background.

Life-Changing Business Education – Real-world skills like sales, leadership, and self-management.

Supportive Community – Friends and mentors who uplift rather than discourage.

Power of Networks – Wealth creation through systems and connections.

Leadership Development – Building influence and guiding others.

Not Working for Money – Focus on passive income and asset creation.

Living Your Dream – Aligning business with personal purpose.

Overcoming Rejection – Learning resilience through sales and outreach.

Changing Quadrants – Moving from employee to business owner/investor (Cashflow Quadrant model).

Education Over Commissions – Prioritising learning over short-term earnings. 

In Appendix he also talks about #Marriage and Business, #The Family Business  #How you can use the same Tax loop the rich use

Why Kiyosaki Advocates Network Marketing?

Although Robert Kiyosaki did not build his wealth through network marketing, he strongly recommends it as a low-barrier entry point for aspiring entrepreneurs. He believes it teaches:

Emotional intelligence through rejection and correction.

Financial literacy via practical exposure to income statements, balance sheets, and asset acquisition.

System thinking, especially the importance of duplicating successful behaviours (Metcalf’s Law).

Leadership and teaching, which are key to scaling a network marketing business. 

Not a Traditional Business School

Kiyosaki critiques conventional education for preparing people to be employees rather than entrepreneurs. He argues that Business School fills this gap by offering:

Hands-on entrepreneurial training

Mindset shifts from scarcity to abundance

Real-world application of business principles.

"Network marketing gives millions of people  throughout the world the opportunity to take control of their lives and their financial future."

Jumaat, September 26, 2025

The Moonstone: A Romance ~ Wilkie Collins (42 of 2025)

 


The Moonstone: A Romance by Wilkie Collins is an 1868 British epistolary novel. It is an early example of the modern detective novel, and established many of the ground rules of the modern genre. Its publication was started on 4 January 1868 and was completed on 8 August 1868. The story was serialised in Charles Dickens's magazine All the Year Round. Collins adapted The Moonstone for the stage in 1877.


Colonel Herncastle, an unpleasant former soldier, brings the Moonstone back with him from India where he acquired it by theft and murder during the Siege of Seringapatam. Angry at his family, who shun him, he leaves it in his will as a birthday gift to his niece Rachel, thus exposing her to attack by the stone's hereditary guardians, who will stop at nothing to retrieve it.


Rachel wears the stone to her birthday party, but that night it disappears from her room. Suspicion falls on three Indian jugglers who have been near the house; on Rosanna Spearman, a maidservant who begins to act oddly and who then drowns herself in a local quicksand; and on Rachel herself, who also behaves suspiciously and is suddenly furious with Franklin Blake, with whom she has previously appeared to be enamoured, when he directs attempts to find it. Despite the efforts of Sergeant Cuff, a renowned Scotland Yard detective, the house party ends with the mystery unsolved, and the protagonists disperse.


During the ensuing year there are hints that the diamond was removed from the house and may be in a London bank vault, having been pledged as surety to a moneylender. The Indian jugglers are still nearby, watching and waiting. Rachel's grief and isolation increase, especially after her mother dies, and she first accepts and then rejects a marriage proposal from her cousin Godfrey Ablewhite, a philanthropist who was also present at the birthday dinner and whose father owns the bank near Rachel's old family home. Finally Franklin Blake returns from travelling abroad and determines to solve the mystery. He first discovers that Rosanna Spearman's behaviour was due to her having fallen in love with him. She found evidence (a paint smear on his nightclothes) that convinced her that he was the thief and concealed it to save him, confusing the trail of evidence and throwing suspicion on herself. In despair at her inability to make him acknowledge her despite all she had done for him, she killed herself, leaving behind the smeared gown and a letter he did not receive at the time because of his hasty departure abroad.

Now believing that Rachel suspects him of the theft on Rosanna's evidence, Franklin engineers a meeting and asks her. To his astonishment she tells him she actually saw him steal the diamond and has been protecting his reputation at the cost of her own even though she believes him to be a thief and a hypocrite. With hope of redeeming himself he returns to Yorkshire to the scene of the crime and is befriended by Mr. Ezra Jennings, the assistant of Dr. Candy, the doctor. They join to continue the investigations and learn that Franklin was secretly given laudanum during the night of the party (by Mr. Candy, who wanted to exact vengeance on Franklin for criticising medicine); it appears that this, in addition to his anxiety about Rachel and the diamond and other nervous irritations, caused him to take the diamond in a narcotic trance, to move it to a safe place. A re-enactment of the evening's events confirms this, but how the stone ended up in a London bank remains a mystery solved only a year after the birthday party when the stone is redeemed.


Franklin and his allies trace the claimant to a seedy waterside inn, only to discover that the Indians have got there first: the claimant is dead and the stone is gone. Under the dead man's disguise is none other than Godfrey Ablewhite, who is found to have embezzled the contents of a trust fund in his care and to have been facing exposure soon after the birthday party. The mystery of what Blake did while in his drugged state is solved: he encountered Ablewhite in the passageway outside Rachel's room and gave the Moonstone to him to be put back in his father's bank, from which it had been withdrawn on the morning of the party to be given to Rachel. Seeing his salvation, Ablewhite pocketed the stone instead, and pledged it as surety for a loan to save himself temporarily from insolvency. When he was murdered, he was on his way to Amsterdam to have the stone cut; it would then have been sold to replenish the plundered trust fund before the beneficiary inherited. The mystery is solved, Rachel and Franklin marry, and in an epilogue from Mr. Murthwaite, a noted adventurer, the reader learns of the restoration of the Moonstone to the place where it should be, in the forehead of the statue of the god in India.

The book was adapted into movie in 1996.

Khamis, September 25, 2025

J.P.Alexander

 https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/imran-khan-taunts-only-way-pakistan-can-beat-india-is-if-pcb-chairman-army-chief-bat-as-openers-3739256


Pakistan is now virtually under military rule, as it has been for most of its existence. In fact, it was aptly called "an Army with a country" with the military and their extended families having an exaggerated sense of entitlement.... and running everything in the country as crony capitalists.

Today,  POTUS Trump wheels and deals with Field Marshal Munir Khan, not with Shehbaz Sharif, who became  PM after the rigged election of 2024.

Yes, while Imran Khan unarguably the most popular man in the country, rots in jail on trumped up charges including " violating Islamic marriage laws."!

Despite this, in 2024, the Independants backed by his banned PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaaf) party, won more seats than any party contesting the elections!

In 1997, while attending a Quality Management programme sponsored by Japan's Ministry of Industry,  I stayed for a month in the same hostel in Osaka with participants from Srilanka, Bangladesh (the GM of Md Yunus' Grameen Bank), Iran, Nepal and ... 3 (Punjabi) Pakistanis.

While all 25 of us got along pretty well, especially on industry visits across Japan, these 3 Punjabis from elite Pakistani families, interacted best with our own 2 Indian Punjabis .. sharing language, culture, physique and even late night jaunts which the rest of us were disinclined to undertake.  Indeed our 2 Punjabis gelled better with the 3 Punjabi Pakistanis than with fellow Indians from Tamilnadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, Andhra, or Bengal.

The happenings over the past 3 years in Pakistan, were similar to what transpired in Bangladesh, Srilanka, Myanmar and ...now

 NEPAL.  Protests were  as much about Nepotism as they were about Corruption, and both were engineered by the Army and its generals .. Ayub Khan, Yahya, Khan, Zia, Musharaf, Muneer...leading to the humungous Rich-Poor Picketty gap in Pakistan.

We admired Imran for his cricketing abilities ranking him as one of the Quartet of Great Allrounders, all of whom specialized in the art of fast bowling.

Sir Richard Hadlee, Lord Ian Botham, our own Kapil Dev (who lifred the World Cup in 1983) and Imran Khan who led Pakistan to victory in 1992, and also completed the amazing Test double of 3000 runs and 300 wickets.

A Niazi Pathan whose mother belonged to the Burki tribe, Imran was connected to many Pakistani Biggies. An Oxford Blue in cricket, his cricketing  talent was matched by his good looks, sophistication, charm, social graces and ..... a hedonistic lifestyle as a bachelor in the 1980s. 

Susanna Constantine, painter Emma Sergeant, actress Goldie Hawn, TV anchor Kristine Backer, our Zeenat Aman, Anna White ( by whom he had a daughter),... many even visited Pakistan but finally refused to settle in that benighted and bigoted land with him. Yes, whatever Imran was or wasn't, he was an ardent patriot who saw Pakistan as his only real home.

Finally, in 1995, Jemima, daughter of tycoon Sir James Goldsmith gave up her Jewish faith to marry the dashing Pathan and even to settle down in Pakistan, where they had 2 sons.

Along with his admirable Patriotism, Imran also became more Religious, his faith soon bordering on Fundamentalism.

His long Crusade against his country's corrupt and nepotic  rulers, therefore  strikes a special note with the "faithful" masses as also with the jobless and disempowered Youth of Pakistan, who are smarting from their frustration at the rigged election of 2024.

Imran's jibe at the rulers and the PCB which they prop up has expectedly gone viral.

Yes, the best way to pull down a government is to mock it and make it an object of public ridicule. Especially when it is  Cricket icon Imran Khan, using cricketing metaphor to expose their transgressions .... after 2 massive back-to -back cricket defeats to traditional subcontinental rival India!

J P Alexander 











More about Sir


I feel genuinely humbled to be honored  as a Tennis legend by Regional Sports Centre, Ernakulam, arguably the finest integrated  Sports hub in the country, though Lotus Club ( founded by Lady Bristow ), Cochin Club in Fort Cochin and Rama Varma Club (founded in the 19th century) are of older vintage.

It was a typical.Kerala style function with presentation of shawl and Silver Medal by Chairperson & District Collector G Priyanka IAS. Honorary Secretary SAS Nawaz, IRS (with mike) is also seen, along with Committee members.

I consider this award more as a recognition of the longevity of my tennis career spanning over 70 years, than of any particular distinction on my part. 

In her address, Ms Priyanka strongly endorsed a career today exclusively in Sports, for those who are blessed  with talent, who should be given adequate training and support to succeed.

Back in our days, it was quite different. You could be  a University topper, simultaneously in Academics, Sports, Debating or whatever.

Yes, it is certainly much tougher for Gen Z to multi skill,  multitask and achieve success in multiple fields today.

Tennis has helped me in multiple ways, not the least to be a fairly healthy and active 82 year old. 

And wherever I went, I was welcome to play tennis, ... people sometimes lending me their kit, thoughI I generally carried the bare essentials with me.

Being fairly good at Tennis opened up many doors throughout my life. 

In 1960, I was one of the seven Bombay University students to receive the prestigious Sir Dorab Tata scholarship.  At the interview in Bombay House, iconic directors  JRD Tata, JD Choksi,  Nani Palkiwalla, and Mrs Vesugar evinced great interest in my extra curricular activities ... especially Elocution and Tennis.

Apart from many opportunities to play against tennis greats....

both father Ramanathan and son Ramesh Krishnan; Sankar Krishnan Premjit Lal; Davis Cuppers SP Misra, J Royappa,  Shashi Menon, AJ Udaykumar etc, I was also privileged to play at TTC a couple of times with cine star Gemini Ganesan who was a  friend of V Rammohan;

 Played also with15 year old Aamir Khan who was then at Bombay Scottish;

And with Naseerudin Shah, who played at RSC for a week in 2017 as the guest of Rahul Thomas.

And of course, with  cine star Kartika ( Sunanda Nair) daughter of my friend  Capt Nair, who was a top lady player in the 1980s.

The tennis courts of Raj Bhavan, Trivandrum were especially inviting when my friends (now Commander Rtd) Jose Manjooran and ( DGP retd) Upendra Varma IPS,  were young ADCs to Governor NN Wanchoo, ICS. Commander Jose will be remembered for the tennis extravaganza he organised in the Naval Base in 1991.. ..with Vijay & Anand Amritraj, young Leander Paes and BAT coaches David O'Meara and T Chandrasekar all being flown to the Base, in the Brittania plane by Chairman,  Biscuit Baron Rajan Pillai. ... to play on specially prepared grass courts. What a wonderful treat it was for us tennis aficianados!

Where would Indian tennis have been, sans the BAT scheme envisaged by Vijay and funded by avid tennis lover Rajan Pillai? (His dad, Janardanan Pillai, and Mom, religiously played an hour of tennis at Trivandrum Tennis Club every morning in the 1970s and 80s and his younger brother Rajmohan, is still an active player).

My school,  St Xavier's, Bombay which I joined in the 2nd standard encouraged sports and extra curricular activities. When I was in my final year, 11th std,  we won the Harris Shield for senior cricket , captained by brilliant all-rounder Vinay Choudhary, ( who is alas, no more), while tiny Sunil Gavaskar led the juniors to victory in the Giles Shield. I regularly played tennis ball cricket but was never considered good at the real sport.

I began tennis in 1955 in Mackichan Hall, Chowpathy, where my father Dr J Alexander was Warden. We played on a tarmac surface, but I also had access to the 2 slick cowdung courts at Wilson College Gymkhana, on Marine Drive, next to PJ Hindu Gymkhana.

My father was a pretty decent player and some of his colleagues  .. Dr Donald Kennedy, Dr Taylor, Profs Lysle, Fraser, Armstrong, and Misses Richie, Hewitt and Allen used to join in on Saturday afternoons. But the regulars were the hostelites from all across India and East Africa, Nigeria and even West Indies. There were many residents from Gujarat.  Bombay's then Chief Minister (later PM) Morarji Desai who was a Wilson alumnus and Mackichan resident hailed from Bulsar ( Valsad).

Moving to First Year Science in Wilson College, I was both First scholar and tennis champion in 1961-62.

The Intercollegiate tournament was played in Wilson College Gymkhana, and  the top men players then were Homi Dhalla, Gopal Gupta, Daljit Wallia, Rastogi, Karambaya .. but Wilson had a national ranked lady player in Kusumakumari Narayanan. Partnering her, we bagged the University Mixed doubles title. Shabnam Sahani ( daughter of Balraj Sahani) and Indira Iyengar (daughter of RBI Governor HVR Iyengar) and other lady opponents were pretty glamorous but lacked the firepower of Kusum's thunderous  forehand. Twenty years later, I partnered her elder brother N Gopinath ( Registrar, Kerala High Court) to take the Ernakulam District doubles title.

For my civil engineering, I decided  to study in College of Engineering ( Poona), hoping to emulate the  academic performance of Sir M Visvesvaiya whose name is up on the board for 1st rank in 1884. I missed this target by a whisker, but was considered good enough for COEP to take me as a lecturer.

The Poona of the  1960s was idyllic and COEP not only had a vibrant gymkhana but also a Boat Club on the Mula river with over 100 boats.

And History was all around us. The 8th century Pataleswar cave temple of the Rashtrakutas and Shanwarwada Palace of the Peshwas were both just a stone's throw away.

With Mustaq Kazi and Thatte, we played not only intercollegiate tennis against Fergusson, SP and Wadia Colleges, but also the Poona league where we ran into 11 year old Shashi Menon and his father, who gave us a run for our money before losing to us.

Yes, all my victories against top players was when they were either pretty old , or too young! 

Davis Cupper Udaykumar was 60, and G Palani was pretty close to that. 

S Manian, who had beaten me soundly in TOTC, Sri Chitra and GV Raja tournaments was past 60 and in poor health when I had the distinction (?) of defeating him in RSC Veterans finals,  years later.

And the fraternal duo of Parthiban-Elangovan were 14 and 13 when Varghese Jacob and I defeated  them. Colonel Kishore (who is probably the best today in RSC), and his partner Boban, were  juniors when they lost to us. 

But sweet victory it was, nevertheless.

The highpoint of my tennis was in 1975 when I participated in a round Robin to get a place on the Kerala team to play the Interstate at Hyderabad. 

Hitherto, only players from Trivandrum had played for Kerala. But Chief Justice Govindan Nair, the President of KTA, wanted other talents to vie for a place in the State team. Although, I was having major responsibilities as Purchase Manager of FACT's Cochin Project, top management in Sports-oriented FACT, were keen that I should represent the State.

KTA Secretary Prof Gopalraman, made suitable arrangements and 4 of us made the cut out of a dozen who participated (including Tarakanath Menon, K Vijayan, and Ramesh Kailas). Prof Gopalraman's son G Padmanabhan, later played tennis for Kerala University and also had a splendid career in RBI, from where he retired as Executive Director.

Chief Tennis coach of NIS, Patiala, S Krishnaswamy, came specially to coach the team for a week, while V Krishnan also gave his inputs.

In Hyderabad, we stayed at Fateh Maidan stadium and played on cowdung courts which reminded me nostaligically of my  Bombay days.

The tournament was onducted Davis Cup style and the four of us were all full of enthusiasm. But we were up against classy players, including Davis Cuppers,  ... Sankar Krishnan, J Royappa, BM Balasubraniam, SP Misra, SS Misra, SN Misra, Priyadarshi, K Raghuram. .. with predictable results.

But it was certainly a landmark in my tennis career and the 4 of us had a wonderful time together, despite the multiple losses.

 FACT, the PSU which I joined in 1966, had  strong cultural and Sports orientation under a liberal CMD,  MKK Nayar IAS.

Efforts to.promote Sports were largely directed through FACT Sports Association, of which I became President in 1987. But tennis was nowhere near top of the list, though teams were sent annually to participate in Inter PSU tournaments in Bombay, Bangalore, Madras, Delhi etc.  I regularly captained the side which consisted mostly of senior managers ..with player-doctor the late Dr Somasundaram invariably accompanying us.

Although there were courts in FSA, Udyogmandal Club, TCC and Indal, I played most of my tennis in Ernakulam at  Rama Varma and Lotus Clubs and later, Trivandrum Tennis Club, where the standards were pretty high.

In Ernakulam, we had regular Inter club matches and also an annual District Tournament which I won 9 times, with notable victories in the finals over Roy Edward, Collector S Krishnakumar (with whom I won the doubles),  Dr TP Poulose, Ajit Lal (brother of Premjit Lal), Billy Maliekal .. and a few losses too.

In 1984, I won the Central Kerala Hardcourt Tennis, a trophy which Ramesh Krishnan had won 5 years before and which was mothballed after K Sankar won in 1989, defeating me in the finals.

Another big tennis moment for me was when Ernakulam won the Inter District sponsored by MRF, at Kadayiripu Kolencherry for the rirst time in 1984 powered by  2 singles wins by M R Ramesh who was  posted temporarily to Ernakulam by SBT.

Later, playing veterans tournaments at Mundakayam and Trichur,  I had intense rivalries (largely successful) with Billy Maliekal, Dr PA Thomas, Engineer (!) Rashid, Dr Varghese Paul, K J Peter, Dr PI George etc.

The times are long past  when international players came and played here .. perhaps the last time was when Davis Cuppers Enrico Piperno and Vasudevan played the Lotus Trophy finals ...a match which I umpired. Spectator interest has declined.Why would you go and watch local players when you can see Alcaraz vs Sinner sitting in the comfort of your drawing room?

And top players today will not come for the peanuts that local clubs can pay. Fifty years back a Davis Cupper would come and play for practically nothing and generous patrons like R Madhavan Nayar or Lal of Chandrika Soaps would volunteer to foot the Rs 1 lakh blll. I remember Nirupama Mankad, late Ashok's wife playing here for just air fare and boarding-lodging . And she was multiple times National champ, .. starting her tennis at PJ Hindu Gymkhana.She now lives in the US with son Harsh, Davis Cupper and BAT product.

A lot has changed about the game. Today's powerful racquets and equipment have changed the game. The game is faster and players need to be super fit. 5'10" used to the normal height of champs like Borg and Vijay's 6'2"was unusual.Today 's guys are super agile despite their height . 

Coaching styles too have changed. What K Sankar teaches is nothing like what his did S Krishnaswamy taught us.

But the Fundas remain unchanged.

" Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose." as  the 3 French Musketeers would have told us.


J P Alexander


....

Isnin, September 22, 2025

Onam - 10 days

 

Onam is primarily a family festival, where families gather to celebrate and strengthen their bonds. People travel from far and wide to be with their loved ones during this time. Families engage in various activities, such as preparing for the Sadhya, decorating their homes, and participating in community events. This togetherness is what makes Onam a truly special occasion.

The most prominent story related to the celebration of Onam  is the tale of King Mahabali’s visit. It is said that during his reign, the land flourished, and all his subjects lived in happiness. His annual visit during Onam is marked by grand celebrations, symbolising the return of prosperity and joy. 

The significance of the pookalam (floral decorations) and the grand feast known as Onam Sadhya, are integral parts of the festivities.

One of the most beautiful traditions of Onam is the creation of pookalam, intricate floral designs arranged at the entrance of homes. Each day of the festival, new flowers are added to the pookalam, symbolising growth and welcoming the spirit of King Mahabali. The designs often feature vibrant colours and various floral patterns, making them a feast for the eyes.

The festival begins with Atham and culminates with Thiruvonam, the most important day of the celebration. In 2025, the festival will commence on August 26 and conclude on September 5.

Onam is a time for communal celebrations, where people come together to participate in various events. Local communities organise fairs, cultural programmes, and competitions, fostering a sense of belonging and joy. These events often include traditional games, art exhibitions, and food stalls, allowing everyone to partake in the festivities. 


Day 1 Atham August 26, 2025


Atham๐Ÿ™





Day 2  Chithira August 27, 2025









Day 3 Chodi August 28, 2025



เดšോเดคി เดจിเดฑเดตിเดจ്เดฑെ  เดชเดŸിเดฏിเตฝ 

เดžാเตป เดจിเตฝเด•്เด•เดตേ....

เด“เดŸിเดตเดฐുเดจ്เดจൊเดฐോ เด“เตผเดฎ്เดฎเด•เดณും... 

 เด“เดฃเดตും เดตിเดทുเดตും 

เด†เดค്เดฎാംเดถเดฎാเด•്เด•ുเดจ്เดจ เด…เดจเดตเดงി 

เด…เดฎ്เดฎเดฎാเตผ เดตเดจ്เดจു เดšാเดฐെ...


เด“เดฃเดจിเดจเดตുเด•เตพ เด“เตผเดค്เดค് 

เดšൊเดฒ്เดฒുเดจ്เดจൊเดฐാ 

เด“เดฎเดจเดนൃเดฆเดฏเด™്เด™เดณോเตผเดค്เดคുเดชോเดฏി.. เดจേเตผเดค്เดคเดฎോเดฆเดค്เดคിเดฒും

เด†เดค്เดค เดฎോเดฆം เดชാเดŸും 

เดฎാเดจเดธเดตീเดฃเด•เดณാเดฏിเดฐുเดจ്เดจു 

เด…เดตเตผ เด“เดฃเดจിเดฒാเดต് 

เดชോเดฒാเดฏിเดฐുเดจ്เดจു... เดŽเดจ്เดจും...

เดธ്เดจേเดน เดจിเดฒാเดต് เดคെเดณിเดš്เดšിเดฐുเดจ്เดจു!


เดคിเดฐിเด•െ เดตเดฐാเดค്เดคൊเดฐാ 

เด•ാเตฝเดชเดฆเดจเด™്เด™เดณും 

เดšിเดฐിเด•เดณുเดฎോเตผเดค്เดค് 

เดžാเตป เดจിเดจ്เดจുเดชോเด•െ, 

เดคുเดฎ്เดชเดฏും เดคുเดณเดธിเดฏും

เดจเตฝ เดšിเดจ്เดคเด•เดณാเดฏെเดจ്เดฑെ

เด“เตผเดฎ്เดฎเดคเตป เดชൂเด•്เด•เดณംเดชുเดฃ്เดฏเดฎാเด•്เด•ി

เดคുเดฎ്เดชเด™്เด™เดณെเดฒ്เดฒാം เดคുเดŸเดš്เดšുเดฎാเดฑ്เดฑി


เดธ്เดจേเดนเดค്เดคിเตป เดฎเดฃിเดตീเดฃ 

เดฎീเดŸ്เดŸുเดจ്เดจ เดจിเดธ്เดตเดจം

เด“เตผเดฎ്เดฎเดค്เดคാเดฒเดค്เดคിเตฝ 

เดจിเดฑเดž്เดžീเดŸുเดฎ്เดชോเตพ...

เดเดคോ เดœ്เดฏോเดคിเดฏുംเดชเดŸเดฐുเดจ്เดจു..

เดšോเดคിเดฏിเตฝ เดคീเตผเดค്เดคൊเดฐീ 

เดชൂเด•്เด•เดณเดค്เดคിเตฝ!

๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒท

Sandhya Dharman

Day 4 Vishakam August 29, 2025


Day 5 Anizham August 30, 2025




เดšോเดคി เดจിเดฑเดตിเดจ്เดฑെ  เดชเดŸിเดฏിเตฝ 

เดžാเตป เดจിเตฝเด•്เด•เดตേ....

เด“เดŸിเดตเดฐുเดจ്เดจൊเดฐോ เด“เตผเดฎ്เดฎเด•เดณും... 

 เด“เดฃเดตും เดตിเดทുเดตും 

เด†เดค്เดฎാംเดถเดฎാเด•്เด•ുเดจ്เดจ เด…เดจเดตเดงി 

เด…เดฎ്เดฎเดฎാเตผ เดตเดจ്เดจു เดšാเดฐെ...


เด“เดฃเดจിเดจเดตുเด•เตพ เด“เตผเดค്เดค് 

เดšൊเดฒ്เดฒുเดจ്เดจൊเดฐാ 

เด“เดฎเดจเดนൃเดฆเดฏเด™്เด™เดณോเตผเดค്เดคുเดชോเดฏി.. เดจേเตผเดค്เดคเดฎോเดฆเดค്เดคിเดฒും

เด†เดค്เดค เดฎോเดฆം เดชാเดŸും 

เดฎാเดจเดธเดตീเดฃเด•เดณാเดฏിเดฐുเดจ്เดจു 

เด…เดตเตผ เด“เดฃเดจിเดฒാเดต് 

เดชോเดฒാเดฏിเดฐുเดจ്เดจു... เดŽเดจ്เดจും...

เดธ്เดจേเดน เดจിเดฒാเดต് เดคെเดณിเดš്เดšിเดฐുเดจ്เดจു!


เดคിเดฐിเด•െ เดตเดฐാเดค്เดคൊเดฐാ 

เด•ാเตฝเดชเดฆเดจเด™്เด™เดณും 

เดšിเดฐിเด•เดณുเดฎോเตผเดค്เดค് 

เดžാเตป เดจിเดจ്เดจുเดชോเด•െ, 

เดคുเดฎ്เดชเดฏും เดคുเดณเดธിเดฏും

เดจเตฝ เดšിเดจ്เดคเด•เดณാเดฏെเดจ്เดฑെ

เด“เตผเดฎ്เดฎเดคเตป เดชൂเด•്เด•เดณംเดชുเดฃ്เดฏเดฎാเด•്เด•ി

เดคുเดฎ്เดชเด™്เด™เดณെเดฒ്เดฒാം เดคുเดŸเดš്เดšുเดฎാเดฑ്เดฑി


เดธ്เดจേเดนเดค്เดคിเตป เดฎเดฃിเดตീเดฃ 

เดฎീเดŸ്เดŸുเดจ്เดจ เดจിเดธ്เดตเดจം

เด“เตผเดฎ്เดฎเดค്เดคാเดฒเดค്เดคിเตฝ 

เดจിเดฑเดž്เดžീเดŸുเดฎ്เดชോเตพ...

เดเดคോ เดœ്เดฏോเดคിเดฏുംเดชเดŸเดฐുเดจ്เดจു..

เดšോเดคിเดฏിเตฝ เดคീเตผเดค്เดคൊเดฐീ 

เดชൂเด•്เด•เดณเดค്เดคിเตฝ!

๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒท

Sandhya Dharman

Day 6 Thriketta August 31, 2025




Day 7 Moolam September 1, 2025



Day 8  Pooradam September 2, 2025



Day 9 Uthradom September 3, 2025




Day 10 Thiruvonam September 5, 2025




The Onam Sadhya is a grand vegetarian feast served on banana leaves, consisting of a variety of dishes. It typically includes rice, sambar, avial, thoran, and a selection of pickles and desserts. The meal is not just about food; it is a celebration of Kerala’s culinary heritage and is enjoyed by families and communities together. Sharing this meal is a way of expressing love and unity.


Boat Races: Vallam Kali











Vallam Kali, or boat races, are a thrilling part of the Onam celebrations. These races take place in the backwaters of Kerala, where teams compete in long, narrow boats. The atmosphere is electric, with cheering crowds and traditional music adding to the excitement. This event showcases the spirit of teamwork and camaraderie among participants and spectators alike.


The Tiger Dance: Pulikali

Performers paint their bodies like tigers and hunters and dance to traditional beats, entertaining crowds during Onam festivities. The vibrant display of colors, energy, and playful moves makes it one of the most awaited attractions of the festival. Entire towns gather to witness Pulikali, creating a carnival-like atmosphere that reflects the spirit of joy and community bonding.


Traditional Attire: Dressing for Onam

During Onam, people dress in traditional attire to celebrate the festival. Women often wear the kasavu saree, which is a cream-coloured saree with a golden border, while men typically wear the mundu, a traditional garment. Dressing up in these outfits adds to the festive spirit and reflects the rich cultural heritage of Kerala.


Cultural Performances: Dance and Music are integral part of Onam. 

Kummattikali & Folk Arts

Kummattikali: Mask dances performed door-to-door.

Onathallu: Martial art-style combat re-enactment.

Thiruvathirakali: Graceful women’s group dance around a lamp.

Kathakali & Mohiniyattam: Classical performances narrating stories from epics.


Some regions also continue celebrations with post-Onam days like Avittom and Chathayam, extending it up to 12 days. These dates are significant as they outline the various rituals and celebrations that take place during the festival. 

Selasa, September 02, 2025

Naseeruddin & Ratna

 


Ratna Pathak Shah and Naseeruddin Shah have been married for 43 years. Despite theirs being an interfaith marriage, both have shared that their families never strongly opposed their union. In a recent interview, Ratna opened up about what has kept their marriage strong for over four decades.


“Simply put, the desire to stay married, and friendship. Common interests definitely help. At least in my case, I’ve seen all these three have been important. We did want to be together, very much so. Both of us had similar views about theatre and films,” said Ratna, who also collaborates with Naseeruddin Shah in their theatre company, Motley Productions.


She further explained, “We didn’t have to face too much opposition. People made a little noise here and there. Not like today. I don’t know what’d happen if we were to marry today. I guess we won’t be allowed to. But in those days, it was much easier. Neither of us is particularly religious, so we were able to take that decision quite easily,” in her conversation with Faye D’Souza.


Ratna also recalled, “What also helped is what Naseer said: let’s not try to define our relationship. Does it have to be husband-wife, lover, girlfriend-boyfriend, whatever it is? Let’s see where we go.” The two have also appeared together in films, including Amol Palekar’s 2005 supernatural romance Paheli (as voice artists) and Abbas Tyrewala’s 2008 rom-com Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na (as husband and wife).


Speaking about their differing views on acting, she admitted that it has led to many arguments. “I am going to quote from Naseer, ‘You shouldn’t want to be an actor unless you feel you will die if you don’t act.’ I am not one of those types. I am sorry. I had lots of arguments with Naseer about this. How can he say that? What happens to me? I don’t feel I will die if I can’t act! I love acting, I enjoy it, I do it with extreme concentration and seriousness. But I don’t think that is the only thing I want out of life. He said, no. ‘If you want to be an actor-actor, full-time, career actor then it has to be that important for you,’” Ratna said.


In an earlier interview with Hauterrfly, Ratna revealed that while Naseeruddin’s conventional Muslim family was more accepting of their marriage, her parents — businessman Baldev Pathak and actor Dina Pathak — were not fully convinced. “My dad was not entirely happy, but unfortunately, he passed away before we got married. Maa and Naseer had a more rocky relationship, but they settled also and eventually became friends.”


Adding to the challenges, Naseeruddin Shah already had a daughter, actor Heeba Shah, from his first marriage, which ended early. Ratna and Heeba continue to collaborate in Motley Productions, while Ratna and Naseer have two sons together — musician Imaad Shah and author Vivaan Shah, both of whom followed in their parents’ footsteps as actors.


During a panel at the FICCI Flo summit in Hyderabad earlier this year, Ratna admitted she sometimes feels overshadowed by her husband’s career but has accepted it. “It has been the most fantastic, fun ride I could have imagined. I did not really think it would be possible to have a friendship that lasts so long in such an intimate kind of a setting, but it’s the friendship that has lasted, and that is the most precious thing. That friendship has been created because we work together. I am all for people from the same field getting together. It definitely is a way of supporting, helping and finding common areas of interest; it is quite invaluable,” she said.




Naseeruddin Shah, one of the most respected actors in Indian cinema, is admired for his powerful performances and unique choice of films. While fans know him for his professional achievements, his personal life has some lesser-known chapters.


Before his well-known marriage to Ratna Pathak Shah, Naseeruddin was married at a young age to Parveen Murad. He was just 19 years old, while Parveen was 34 at the time. Reports suggest that Naseeruddin was a student at Aligarh Muslim University when they first met. Parveen, a divorcee with children, reportedly caught his attention, and the two tied the knot in 1969 in a traditional ceremony. Within a year, the couple welcomed their only daughter, Heeba.


However, their marriage faced challenges from the beginning. Family opposition was a major issue. Naseeruddin’s family was concerned about the age difference and Parveen’s past, while Parveen’s family insisted on a large alimony arrangement in case of a separation. Over time, differences in priorities and perspectives led to a gradual separation. Naseeruddin Shah eventually took nearly 12 years to settle the 

alimony.


This chapter of his life shows a different side of the veteran actor—one marked by early responsibilities, personal challenges, and life lessons beyond the film industry. Despite the difficulties, he went on to build a remarkable career while also managing his personal commitments.