ARTICLE ON SACHIN TENDULKAR
Best in the World Belief in himself, the will to win, the fear and respect of the rivals--he has it all. India's star batsman is sheer genius. What makes him a living legend?
I don't think anything is impossible. Of course, I'm not always right. -- Sachin Tendulkar, after scoring 142 against Australia
This is the first thing about genius. Self-belief. Inside the stomach of some men smoulders a defiance that is abnormal, a will so powerful that no ordinary barometer can register it. We dream, Tendulkar does. On that day when the sandstorm blew in to stop play -- it was God announcing he had taken his seat -- Tendulkar told coach Anshuman Gaekwad in the dressing room: "Don't worry I'll be there in the end." Don't worry! With four of the topline batsmen out and 94 runs to get in 87 balls; Vinoo Mammen of MRF telling his wife, "Let's go to the hotel and cry", and hope generally abandoned by all. Except by one man. Later, a spectator says, "It's sad one billion people in India have to rely on one man." This is the second thing about genius. Desire. They could have turned off the lights in Sharjah, Tendulkar's shots would have illuminated the city,such is the sunlight of his batting. India has qualified for the final, but he paces the dressing room hissing, "I was not out." It was the rage of a man who believes he has no limits. He was not there to help India qualify, he was there to win the match. We small, Tendulkar lives bigger. Says Allan Border, Australian coach, a day later:
"Hell, if he stayed, even at 11 an over he would have got it." This is the third thing about genius. Fear. From the Aussie dressing room bustling with hard men, all sorts of stories emerge. One strategy is "get the bugger to the other end"; another says, "We bowled short, on the off stump,nothing worked." Michael Kasprowicz is sort of speechless. In the first match,he hits Tendulkar on the pads, smirks, gets hit for two successive fours. This match it's two successive sixes. Now he swears, "Shit, I'm sick of this *$#%."
This is the final thing about genius and that innings. Respect. next day, by the pool side of the Princeton Hotel, WorldTel boss Mark Mascarenhas throws a party for Tendulkar. Friday, final day, is his birthday and it strikes you starkly that as he turns 25, he has more centuries (14 in one dayers, 16 in Tests) than he has years in front of his name. Meanwhile, in a corner the conversation goes something like this:
Border : It's scary, where the hell do we bowl to him.
Ian Chappell : Yeah mate, but that's with all great players. Border : Well yes, but imagine what he'll be like when he's 28. I'd like to see him go out and bat one day with a stump. I tell you he'd do okay.".
Finish the argument, close the conversation, end the discussion about Brian Lara. The Aussies insist.
Mark Waugh says, "Sachin's better; Lara is more risky outside the off stump." Shane Warne adds, "Nothing affects Sachin, Brian lets things bother him."
Steve Waugh then takes the debate to a higher plane with one statement, a grand canyon of a compliment actually:
"In history Sachin will go down as second to Bradman."
What he's saying is this: Tendulkar owns the present, and perhaps one day will surpass the past as well. It is too early to go further, but this much can be said already. His average in Tests at 54.84 is already higher than those of Greg Chappell, Vivian Richards, Javed Miandad, Lara, or Sunil Gavaskar. But it's not just that, it's not either the awesome truth that in 61 Tests he has 16 centuries, while Richards got 24 in 121 Tests. No, statistics are not the scale to judge him by; it is in the stories that the bowlers tell, the men who stare at him down 22 yards. Listen to Warne: "You have to decide for yourself whether you're bowling well or not. He's going to hit you for fours and sixes anyway." Kasprowicz has a superior story. During the Bangalore Test, frustrated,he went to Dennis Lillee and asked, "Mate, do you see any weaknesses?" Lillee replied, "No Michael, as long as you walk off with your pride that's all you can do."
There is no one thing to greatness. It is physical, alertness, technique, wisdom, humility, patience, vision, but more a confluence of these in one surging river of genius. Tendulkar, five centuries in his last 12 Test innings,but not yet arrived at his peak, is a river bursting its banks. What doesn't he have? He is short, a Maradona of a man at 5 ft 4 inch, and, like the footballer, blessed with a balance that all sport demands. He can see so well that as the ball leaves the bowler's hand, he has decided -- while lesser men are still deciding -- where to go, back or forward. He is never wrong. He is calm, the impulses from his brain bringing the message to the body never impeded by tension or indecision. When he does this, he gains something: time. Other men look rushed, he unhurried and able to play any shot he desires, arrogant hook or artful slide. He has vision or what Chappell calls "peripheral awareness", a man who without looking already has a map of the field logged into his brain. He has technique, says Ravi Shastri, meeting the ball under the chin and the eyebrow where timing comes sweetest. It is so outrageous these gifts, to play with the abandon of a street thug and yet with the finesse of Michelangelo, that some men find it unreasonable. Master technician Geoffrey Boycott, so goes one story, actually called to argue when Gavaskar recently said that Tendulkar's technique was the best.
He has ... is there anything left? Yes, he has strength, in wrist, in thigh. The heavy bat helps. Still, says Warne, he has enormous power
"It's a bit discouraging. In India he ran down the pitch and hit me off the toe of the bat. It should have gone to mid-on but it went for a six."
On that day in Sharjah, it was in evidence again. Gaekwad was stunned, for Tendulkar was running singles like a demon -- four 3s, fifteen 2s, thirty-five 1s -- yet hitting sixes (five of them) in between.
"The running tires you, yet he was never out of position for a shot."
"In an over I can bowl six different balls. But then Sachin looks at me with a sort of gentle arrogance down the pitch as if to say 'Can you bowl me another one?'" -- Adam Hollioke to a friend.
So what is it Tendulkar, what's the motivation, what moves you? Records? No. He just says, flatly, "It's the challenge that drives me."
There is an understanding, a never articulated awareness among the abnormally gifted that records will arrive anyway. It is the situation to be mastered, the opponent to be numbed that pushes such men. It is elevating not oneself but an entire sport, it is stretching the envelope of possibility, it is all this desire that lurks within Michael Jordan and John McEnroe and Sachin Tendulkar. Eleven versus one on the cricket field is the Tendulkar fantasy.
Says Shastri: "I have never seen such arrogance, such contempt for bowlers since Richards."
Yet it takes work, talent bolstered by industry. Tendulkar will sweat at the nets on a line that troubles him. He would, prior to tours of the West Indies, get net bowlers to fire away at him from 18 yards. When he was told that like the Sri Lankans who discomforted him by bowling down the legside, Warne might aggravate him similarly, he went to the nets in Mumbai, snuffed the pitch where he expected the ball to land and asked the bowlers to bowl there. When Warne arrived, the greatest batsmen in the world awaited him. Ready. Now the search begins, in all earnestness, for the chink of daylight in his stance, the edge of weakness in his method. Tendulkar himself sees none. "I don't think I need to improve in any specific area, just generally." The aussies are as unhelpful. Steve Waugh feels -- and check this for a weakness -- "his only danger is seeing the ball too well and going for his shot too early". Warne says bowl dot balls to frustrate him. Kasprowicz says, "Don't bowl him bad balls, he hits the good ones for fours."
They know, Tendulkar knows there is no fragility apparent. As with all such men, it is only themselves who can prove to be the enemy; Tendulkar may nurture his genius or spurn it, the responsibility of greatness lies with him. It seems he understands that. He is surer now than before, less driven to petulant strokes or rakish indiscretion. That innings was just a reminder, a page from a book, that this is a batsman who was conceived under God's full attention. Imagine, what greater deeds remain, the other pages of that book are yet to be turned. Of that night some final stories remain. Chappell saying, "What would I want of his batting? Everything." And then finally, Ajay Jadeja, echoing us all: "I can't dream of an innings like that. He exists where we can't."

LAHORE ATTACK

Conspiracy theories abound post-Lahore attack
--> Conspiracy theories abound post-Lahore attack-->
Wed, Mar 4 05:36 PM
Islamabad, March 4 (IANS) Did the police in Pakistan's Punjab province warn that Indian spy agency RAW would stage an attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team? Was the attack linked to the action being taken against jehadi outfits in the wake of the Mumbai mayhem?
This apart, who was the unknown individual who made a telephone call that prompted a change in the route being taken by the bus carrying the Sri Lankan players, taking them directly in the line of fire of the attackers?
These are just three of the conspiracy theories doing the rounds here in the wake of the Tuesday attack on the Sri Lankan team bus that killed eight Pakistanis including six security personnel, and injured six cricketers.
According to a report in The News, the Crime Investigation Department (CID) 'had accurately warned the Punjab government on Jan 22, 2009 about an Indian plan to target the Sri Lankan cricket team during its visit to Pakistan'.
The CID, while referring to a source report, said the terrorist attack would be carried out by RAW, especially while the Sri Lankan team would be travelling 'between the hotel and stadium or at hotel during their stay'.
The CID report tagged 'SECRET/IMMEDIATE' with subject 'SOURCE REPORT' reads:
'It has reliably been learnt that RAW (Indian intelligence agency) has assigned its agents the task to target Sri Lankan cricket team during its current visit to Lahore, especially while travelling between the hotel and stadium or at hotel during their stay.
2. It is evident that RAW intends to show Pakistan a security risk state for sports events, particularly when the European and the Indian teams have already postponed their proposed visits considering it a high security risk to visit Pakistan.
3. RAW has also collected photographs of leaders of Jamaatud Daawa (proscribed) and its establishments to target them.
4. Extreme vigilance and heightened security arrangements indicated.'
'And the incident, which the whole world saw on March 3, precisely happened the same way, raising a hundred-million dollar question as to why the Punjab government, under Governor Salmaan Taseer, let it happen so easily despite a clear warning from the intelligence agencies of the country,' The News said.
According to another report in the same newspaper, many in Pakistan's security establishment suspect the possible involvement of jehadi elements from Punjab in the Lahore assault.
The attack was a well thought-out plan orchestrated by Punjabi militants upset over the actions taken by the government in the aftermath of the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai, especially the arrest of several leading jehadi leaders who were set to face trial, security experts felt.
'These elements believe the double-edged blood-spattered attack was aimed at damaging the credibility of the government for such a grave security failure, besides releasing the rising pressure that had mounted over the Jehadi elements in Pakistan after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
'Sources in the security establishment added the Jehadis might be thinking that the 3/3 attacks would force India to go on the back foot, as had been the case with Islamabad after the Mumbai attacks and the ensuing allegations of a Pakistani hand,' The News said.
A third report in the newspaper said that a telephone call from an unknown phone number by an unknown man just before the Sri Lankan team started its journey towards the Gaddafi Stadium 'was the sole reason behind the sudden change of route earlier fixed for the visiting team, which landed all of them in the deadly trap'.
Quoting information obtained from interior ministry sources, The News said that just as the police escort was ready to take the Sri Lanka team to the stadium, 'an unknown caller told the cops to change the route and use the Gulberg road instead of the earlier fixed route of the Ferozpur road.
'The police, without verifying the identity of the caller, followed the new route. But they soon realised that they have fallen into the trap. These cops bore the brunt of the firing but saved the lives of the Sri Lankan players,' the newspaper added.

Mangalore incident is Talibanisation of India: Renuka

Mangalore: Nearly 40 men allegedly affiliated with the Hindu hardliner group Sri Rama Sena gatecrashed into a pub in Mangalore and beat up teenagers.
Eight girls were injured, two of them seriously.
The Government has realised sharply to the incident with Women and child development minister Renuka Chowdhury likened the incident to Talibanisation. "This is Talibanisation of India, it will not be tolerated. I will approach the EC to disenfranchise the organisation involved in this and those associated with it. It is unfortunate that this incident comes two days before the girl child day. These people are not ready for the Republic of India."
The Sena says it will repeat such attacks despite the huge public outcry across the country.
"There are some activities going on here that spoil Hindu tradition. We've just shown our frustration at that assault on Indian tradition. We don't like such indecent behaviour and tried to stop it,” said Sri Rama Sena spokesperson, Dinakar.
But Congress sought to play it down. Part spokesperson Veerappa Moily said, “I can’t call it as a Hindu group. It’s an act of hooliganism. No people will be allowed to do that. Taking the law into their own hands won’t be allowed”.
The Mangalore police have arrested more than 10 people on charges of physical assault and criminal intimidation. The National Commission for Women has also stepped in
Mangalore has seen an increase in moral policing over the past one year, blotting the cosmopolitan image of this coastal city.

Attack on hotel: Sena MP held, released on bail
28 Jan 2009, 0229 hrs IST, Ambarish Mishra, TNN

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, who was arrested by the Mumbai police on Tuesday for creating a mayhem in a suburban five-star hotel last week,
has accused civil aviation minister Praful Patel of putting pressure on the Maharashtra government to get him behind bars. ‘‘Patel and a lobby of capitalists brought pressure on the Maharashtra government to get me arrested,’’ Raut told TOI after he was released on bail. Earlier in the day, he was arrested for ‘‘leading an attack’’ on Hotel Intercontinental in Andheri on January 21. He reportedly led a contingent of Bharatiya Kamgar Sena, the labour wing of Shiv Sena, activists to the hotel to take up the issue of the 21 sacked employees. The police produced Raut before the Andheri metropolitan magistrate who sent him on judicial remand till February 5. However, a bail application subsequently came up before the same court and Raut was released on bail on a personal bond of Rs. 5,000. Said Raut,‘‘The capitalist lobby which controls the Central and the state government as well is keen on scuttling the trade union movement in the country. The BKS has been fighting for the legitimate rights of the 21 employees of Hotel Intercontinental. But, Patel and his capitalist friends are oblivious to workers’ woes.’’ ‘‘The BKS had intimated the hotel management that the union activists, led by me and Suryakant Mahadik (BKS chief), wished to call on the personnel officials and hold talks with them. The management didn’t care to reply to the letter. Worse, the gates were closed on our faces. The BKS activists went on a rampage under extreme provocation from the management,’’ he said, adding, ‘‘I will repeat the offence if it helps the workers.’’

OBAMA RULE

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Bush administration will not finalize new auto fuel efficiency standards, as it had planned, due to historic uncertainty gripping U.S. manufacturers, officials said on Wednesday.
The Transportation Department had intended to complete the regulation laying out annual mileage targets from 2011-15 by year's end, but will now hand the matter over to the incoming Obama administration.
"The recent financial difficulties of the automobile industry will require the next administration to conduct a thorough review of matters affecting the industry," the agency said in a statement.
The rule must be finalized by April 1 to allow automakers time to incorporate tougher mileage standards in their design plans, but uncertainty about industry prospects and other factors could alter the timetable.
"Now more than ever automakers need certainty and this decision only further delays their ability to finalize future product plans," the industry's chief lobbying group, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers said in a statement.
The administration approved a $17.4 billion bailout of General Motors Corp and Chrysler LLC in December to avert the threatened near term collapse of one or both of them.
Ford Motor Co did not seek a bailout, but also is struggling financially. It would like a government line of credit to tap if its condition worsens more than expected this year or next.
Automakers receiving assistance must accelerate restructuring and show the government by the end of March that they can be financially viable or risk potential bankruptcy. Although the aid infusion eased fears of immediate failures, U.S. manufacturers still face serious uncertainty. Continued...

OBAMA RULE

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Bush administration will not finalize new auto fuel efficiency standards, as it had planned, due to historic uncertainty gripping U.S. manufacturers, officials said on Wednesday.
The Transportation Department had intended to complete the regulation laying out annual mileage targets from 2011-15 by year's end, but will now hand the matter over to the incoming Obama administration.
"The recent financial difficulties of the automobile industry will require the next administration to conduct a thorough review of matters affecting the industry," the agency said in a statement.
The rule must be finalized by April 1 to allow automakers time to incorporate tougher mileage standards in their design plans, but uncertainty about industry prospects and other factors could alter the timetable.
"Now more than ever automakers need certainty and this decision only further delays their ability to finalize future product plans," the industry's chief lobbying group, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers said in a statement.
The administration approved a $17.4 billion bailout of General Motors Corp and Chrysler LLC in December to avert the threatened near term collapse of one or both of them.
Ford Motor Co did not seek a bailout, but also is struggling financially. It would like a government line of credit to tap if its condition worsens more than expected this year or next.
Automakers receiving assistance must accelerate restructuring and show the government by the end of March that they can be financially viable or risk potential bankruptcy. Although the aid infusion eased fears of immediate failures, U.S. manufacturers still face serious uncertainty. Continued...