In Praise of Rahul

He needs no introduction. In my opinion, he is India's best Test batsman after Sunil Gavaskar. And this morning just proved why. Pushed against the wall by criticism of his overtly cautious defensive innings at MCG, Rahul Dravid had only one thing to play for - pride.

Today's innings would never be lauded for its class or its excellence or the impeccable footwork which has come to define his vigil at the crease as and when he has gone out to bat but for all the virtues he stands for, for everything he has achieved in his brilliant cricketing career - a stomach for a fight, a steely adamant resolve of staying put when the going is tough, never giving away his wicket casually and an insatiable hunger for success in adversity. It is only when you are searching for runs after having scored around 10,000 of them, only when you cannot figure out how on earth you will find the gaps which you were piercing at will the other day, only then you will know whether you are looking at greatness or passing by mediocrity.

The match was poised at a very interesting stage. On one end VVS was going all guns blazing with his trademark silken touches and his exuberant wristwork while on the other one man was fighting to stay alive.

And what a fight.

For 36 balls at one stretch Rahul had not scored. The crowd had got into the game. Boos were heard all around and with each passing ball stoutly defended the boos only became stronger. Yet, that did not ruffle him. In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to say that, that was the trigger he needed to assert himself. You can just about make out from those eyes that "come what may, I will not give in. I will NOT give in." And just after tea, he took a single, an ungainly push to the covers. The crowd rose on their feet, in jest maybe, maybe in respect and lauded and Rahul raised his bat! He allowed himself a smile and got back to work.

That is the reason why that man is impossible. That is why you have to stand up and respect him. That is why he ought to be every underdog's role model. That is the reason why they call him "The Wall".

Matrimonial Skirmishes - Part 1

Case One:
What is your designation?
Consultant.

What do you do?
Consultancy!

No,no, what exactly do you do?
Err, I solve business problems.

No response.A blank expression is waiting to greet you. I never thought that explaining what I do would be so much of a problem. The prospective in-laws, in their effort to understand whether I work at all and how much I earn and what are the chances of their beloved daughters getting to try her luck at a casino in Vegas start off with this questionnaire. And I flop, again, repeatedly, time and again. Without remorse or repentance.

I am pretty sure that the impression I give them is that I don't draw a salary at the end of the month and most likely their daughter would end up at one the harems of Arabia and be the subject of a book to be written 15 years hence.

Case Two:
Which company does he work for?
Chainalytics Services Private Limited.

What?!!!!
Chainalytics = Chain + Analytics (MY mom, exasperated and trying her best to hide it!)

Is it a software firm?
No. It is a consultancy firm.

Silence. After the exchange of a few pleasantries, the conversation ends. And my mother asks me to join a software firm ! And I, am convinced beyond doubt that I made the greatest mistake of my life going for a MBA. You see, the software industry being India Shining's mascot has great asset value in the matrimonial market and not been part of the bandwagon is seen here, in this market, as a disturbing trend.

Whoever said that a weak dollar is hurting India? And whoever said that the software market is a commoditized market now?

There was one response which was kinda reassuring. The person said "Oh, even my daughter is in consulting - she works in a placement agency." Finally, someone who KNOWS what consulting is !! Such knowledgeable people !

Shit! I had an offer from HCL Tech. !