Thought for the Day - Discomfort is a Sure Sign of a Growth Opportunity

I was coming off a discussion which left me a little uncomfortable. While pondering over what made me uncomfortable I realised that I could have been 1) less attached to an outcome or 2) could have been okay with not controlling the process. Overall it's something out of my comfort zone which is learning or growth opportunity for me.

Whichever way, I realised I could use every sign of discomfort as a growth opportunity. It will keep me off the drama and focused on the learning.

The Authoritative Calvin and Hobbes - Bill Watterson

I ordered a Calvin and Hobbes book for myself a couple of months ago and it has been the greatest value in terms of giving me laughs and a fun time. Watching the young lonely kid with a fertile imagination and his pet toy tiger Hobbes for company as he navigate his fears and his boredom is simply brilliant. 

I loved his constant threat to his dad that his rating as a dad might fall and he needs to give his kid more concessions to climb the ratings, his troubling the only girl in his neighborhood Susie, his lying to teachers and parents that Hobbes did all the mischief, his conversations with Hobbes who seems to get the better of him each time.

 Lovely. Best investment in a long time.

Why I am an Atheist - Bhagat Singh

I was at MR Books buying comics for my sister when I saw this slim book and picked it up. It is Bhagat Singh's (September 27, 1907-March 23, 1931) essay on why he is an atheist. It is written at a time when he is facing death by hanging for the murder of policemen John Saunders and Channan Singh and the symbolic bombing of unoccupied seats of the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi. Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar and Shivaram Rajuguru, members of HSRA (Hindustan Socialist Republican Association) were hanged, based on the testimony of a HSRA member Hansraj Vohra. The three revolutionaries were hanged at Lahore jail, their bodies chopped to pieces, cremated and ashes dropped in the Sutlej river. Bhagat Singh became a cult figure as a 23 year old revolutionary who gave his life for his motherland.

Reading the book, which has other writings by Bhagat Singh - letters to his fellow revolutionaries Sukhdev and Rajguru, his father, petitions, messages to students and young revolutionaries, reveals his mind. Though born into a family with normal religious leanings, and schooled at DAV School where he learned mantras, his views changed as he entered National College, Lahore, and joined the Revolutionary Party. He read books by Bakunin, Lenin, Marx, Trotsky, Nirlamba Swamy on Marxism, Communism, Common Sense, to improve his knowledge and his views on God changed. As a fiery young man he believed in being real and uncompromising and believing in himself than relying on abstract ideas such as God. In his defence of why he is an atheist, he writes with candor and honesty in this essay.

He wonders at the very beginning that many might think his stand is based on pride or vanity. He agrees that people call his a dictator, inflexible with his views, a boaster and a sceptic. He says that pride and vanity are not connected to belief in God or Godly beliefs. A man who is proud of being an atheist and who has vanity of being an atheist, believes in the concept of God - whereas he does not. He fully rejects the idea of God. He says he needs no opiate to meet his end, has no selfish motive to believe in the idea of God so he purges his sins or gets a reward of paradise. He would rather listen to cold blooded reason - 'Instead of developing the ideas and experiments of ancient thinkers, thus providing ourselves with the ideological weapon for the future struggle, lethargic, idle, fanatical as we are - we cling to orthodox religion and in this way reduce human awakening to a stagnant pool'. He also says 'It's necessary for every person who stands for progress to criticise every tenet of old beliefs.' Words that ring true even today after a century.

He has questions - why did God create a world where there is no peace, why did he create man when we know all's not well in God's kingdom, a hoax that snatched the power of reason. He says that the Puranas are but fairy tales. He is against casteism, brahmanism, believes that religion is the creation of the privileged classes to usurp power and riches. Where is God when the British are ruling he asks. He quotes Upton Sinclair who wrote 'only make a man a firm believer in the immortality of soul, then rob him of all that he possesses. He will willingly help you in the process'. 

Bhagat Singh calls out 'the dirty alliance between religious preachers and possessors of power brought the boon of prisons, gallows, knouts and above all, such theories for mankind.' He also says that 'man created God in his imagination when he realised his weaknesses, limitations and shortcomings.' He urges others to face adversaries with courage and valour, even on the gallows and says he will not change his beliefs as the date of his death nears. And he did not.

Even in jail he wrote letters asking for books - Militarism by Karl Liebnecht, Why Men fight (Russel), Civil War in France (Marx), Land Revolution in Russia, Spy (Upton Sinclair), Let Wing Communism and such. 

In December 1928, Bhagat Singh and Rajguru shot dead John Saunders a junior British officer mistaking him for James Scott, a Superintendent of Police on whose order to lathi charge protesters resulted in injuries and later death of Lala Lajpat Rai. Bhagat Singh and Rajguru escaped on bicycles after shooting John Saunders while Chandrashekhar Azad, their accomplice shot dead policeman Channan Singh who was giving them chase. Hiding in a safe house for a couple of days the duo left for Calcutta under disguise, taking along with them a wife and child of another revolutionary to provide cover. They evaded detection and reached Calcutta. It was only in April 1929 when Bhagat Singh and Bhatukeshwar Dutt went to the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi and threw a symbolic bomb into the unoccupied portion, threw leaflets and shouted slogans and courted arrest were they found to be involved in the earlier murder. In court Bhagat Singh defended himself.

In prison Bhagat Singh went on hunger strike along with another revolutionary Jatin Das protesting against poor prison conditions. Das died after 63 days of hunger strike and Bhagat Singh carried on his strike for 116 days. He was carried into court as he had become weak. At some point he refused to attend court until the conditions were met - the court went ahead and held the hearings in his absence and sentenced him to the gallows ex parte. 

At no stage did Bhagat Singh seek lenience from the court and all his petitions were only to clarify his position. He wrote to his father asking him not to plead lenience for him as it is against his principles and portrays him as a weak man begging for his life. He writes to Sukhdev not to entertain thoughts of suicide which would be seen as a weakness. He was not a fan of Gandhi's policies of non-violence - not that he encouraged violence - he valued human life but felt that symbolic gestures are important for the bigger cause. At all times he was fiercely patriotic, committed to equality among people, against casteism, for the working class, for women - every single progressive idea you see today. All this in a life of 23 years.

It was a very enlightening read.              

Cricket Dreamer - An Anonymous Blog by a Cricket Fan

I am very obsessed with numbers and I believe any number we come across has a  connection with how we live. As a kid, my dad introduced me to the cricket score board through 'The Hindu'. 

I was around 7 years old. India was touring England and was getting beaten black and blue. Still the scores stuck with me. 

https://www.cricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-england-1974-62274/england-vs-india-1st-test-63125/full-scorecard

Then I started playing gully cricket. I had and have very bad hand-eye coordination and was awful at batting. All I could do was defend. Later on I could play square cut or even a square drive as playing square of the wicket gives a little more time. So I took to bowling, but then could not generate pace. Though, I tried spin, I could not turn the ball. I tried right arm, wrist leg spin and left arm finger spin. All in all, I was a “ Ravi Shastri” , turning  the ball once rarely. My uncle who was a doctor and played cricket in Medical College told me importance of length and line. Overpitch can be driven at will and also lifted out in the stands. Short pitch gives time and hence has no use even if the ball turns square. Good length is good but variations are essential but I had no tangible surprise element. I was a bad runner, a horrible catcher (bad hand eye coordination) and hence useless at fielding. In my opinion, one must enjoy fielding to play cricket at higher levels or else one cannot sustain playing cricket. Ask Azhar, Dravid or Jadeja. Working on fielding elongates the career and lets the cricketer to hone batting or bowling skills or both. At the end, I became a Cricket Dreamer, far from reality. 

Those were the days of Cricket Commentary. We need to applaud the Commentators skill at the craft. They were able to inculcate interest for the fans and with their spell, make the listeners enhance the imagination and make me the Dreamer. 

India’s win over West Indies in 1976 is one of the first Tests which made me dream about cricket. The fourth Innings comeback. Gavaskar’s 102, Vishy’s hundred and Mohinder’s 85. The spinners wove their magic and India won. Back then, the test was played in West Indies and hence the commentary was all through the night. My Uncle and Dad listened late into the night and I stayed up as much as possible. Early morning two young  neighbors in their early 20s told us that they stayed all througg and India won. May be they were returning back to their homes to catch some sleep. We heard the commentary rerun!

https://www.cricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-west-indies-1975-76-62314/west-indies-vs-india-3rd-test-63161/full-scorecard

Kapil Dev arrived! Which coincided with the end of the Spin quartret. The test series in Pakistan. The commentator stated that in one of the firsts for Indian Cricket, Sadiq Mohammed asked for helmet to face Kapil’s pace. The beginning of India as a sustained fast bowling nation!  Sarfraz Nawaz and Imran Khan were  establishing themselves as the Fast bowlers. Should the credit of invention of reverse swing go to Sarfraz?  I reluctantly and grudgingly resented Pakistan fast bowlers dominance. The commentator was applauding Musthaq’s captaincy and Bedi’s team was rolled over. Over the years I developed respect for fast bowlers emerging from Pakistan thru Wasim Akram, Waqar and others. But still Kapil reigned supreme. There can be Sachin, Sunil, Dhoni, Kohli or Vaibhav but Kapil had the greatest influence in India’s cricket. 

Then came Dilip Doshi and Shivlal Yadav. Both good spinners who held the fort so that  I can continue dreaming with Kapil as the Idol. Who can forget his first century and if my memory serves right, he launched with a 6! Those were the days, when Gavaskar , Vengsarkar or most batsmen slowed the scoring to a crawl once they reached 80s!

I remember Vishy was different! India’s test victory in Melbourne with a 5 wicket spell from Kapil who had fever, a dream ball from Ghavri to dismiss Greg Chappell! 

https://www.cricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-australia-1980-81-62293/australia-vs-india-3rd-test-63281/full-scorecard

Sandeep Patil came with the reputation as a fast scorer! His 176 in Sydney. We took a High School trip to Nagarjuna Sagar in ninth grade and the bus broke down. It was supposed to be a day trip, but the bus broke down. Thus the bus came back to the school in the midnight and we stayed back at the School. We came home early the morning, Sandeep scored his 176! In the next, England series, Sandeep scored 6 fours of Bob Willis 7 ball over. Still remember, the commentator describing his Tennis shot to make the mark!

https://www.cricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-england-1982-62277/england-vs-india-2nd-test-63315/full-scorecard

Dilip Doshi was a rank bad fielder. At one point the commentator mentioned that Captain Gavaskar stomped on his feet in angst when Doshi guided a ball to boundary.  This kindled my imagination and from the time, I did not like bad fielders. Over time, I disliked Shastri more as he was a bad fielder and even more as a preacher when he doned the commentator’s hat.

Mohinder’s series in Pakistan and West Indies with his 5 centuries stood apart as an exemplary player of pace. I think Kapil’s 72 of 38 balls in the one day against the Mighty West Indies laid the foundation for 83 World Cup. India won the one day behind Sunny’s 90 but Kapil’s innings was truly a masterpiece and may have given him the confidence for the 175 innings in World Cup against Zimbabwe.

https://www.cricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-west-indies-1982-83-62309/west-indies-vs-india-2nd-odi-64209/full-scorecard

I got to say listening to Commentary made me to imagine and become a Dreamer at Cricket. In fact, I would dream about the Super fast bowlers and the 20 per over batting. I was far from reality then and today those are a reality. The Commentators played their part to make me the Dreamer at Cricket.

Acts of Love - Friendship

And what better than to walk together with friends talking random things, hands over each other's shoulders, laughing. 

Lovely. Have a great life kids. 

The Great Tamasha - James Astill

It's a 2013 book but it's title was still intriguing enough as was the byline - 'Cricket, Corruption and the Turbulent Rise of Modern India'. James Astill, an award winning journalist, was the political editor of The Economist and was stationed in Delhi for a few years which he used we'll to write this book. Vinod picked it up for me (and it picked itself as I browsed through a few books before I left for my train journey).

Astill begins the story right at the beginning when cricket in India started thanks to the English. The years when the English educated princes played and ruled, the Pentangulars where teams played as Hindu, Muslim, Parsi, English teams, the incorporation of the Ranji Trophy, India being inducted as a Test playing nation (with some of the princes wanting to play and lead), partition and a free India and so on. Though there was not much patronage from the state, the game caught the fancy of the population and grew, mostly in the richer sections of the society and as Astill makes a point, the upper classes mainly. Interestingly though, the Palwankar brothers who were Dalits, actually played for India, the Hindus, and the eldest Palwankar actually led the Hindu team to victory, leading men liked CK Nayudu, who scored a hundred and won the game against the British. After Independence though, Dalit representation has been low and though I am unsure of the numbers Astill quoted (he named only Dodda Ganesh), fact is that it may look improbable to have a Dalit lead many teams in India.

There's much history of Ranjitsinhji and how he accessed the throne of Jamnagar and his great skill at the game. Interestingly we also see how the BCCI has been operated by the powers that be, how state Associations (he chooses Saurashtra as the case in point where Mr Niranjan Shah rules and his son led the state side for a long time). How power has no accountability in sports in the Indian context. He meets Sharad Pawar (the only politician he noted who said Thank you to the person who got chai) and understands how power works at the BCCI and at ICC. He takes us through the transition from Doordarshan trying to control the telecast rights and free market forces coming in which brought big bucks to Indian cricket. He covers the deals with Worldtel, the rise of Sachin etc. We also meet a few bookies in Bombay who talk about how games are fixed and how best go into crores.

And when the IPL began in 2008, he details the story of how Lalit Modi pitched the idea in 1995 to the board which was brushed off, how then Subhash Chandra of Zee TV launched his ICL unsuccessfully, how Lalit Modi first got into Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association and then into Rajasthan and as Vice President of BCCI, pitched and launched the IPL in 2008. And then the way the league took off, the corruption and power broking, Modi's downfall and removal as IPL Commissioner, induction of teams such a Pune and Kerala and then their removal. The India Pakistan story is covered in depth as well as are the events surrounding it - the wars, the terrorist acts and so on.

Astill ends the book with Sachin's last Test and I am not sure why. What I did like was how he tried to connect with cricketers who have no way to aspire for a better life, the ones in Dharavi, in the fields of UP (he talks of Kamran Khan the Rajasthan Royals hero in the first season who went back to working in the fields - why didn't he meet him), his friends in Dharavi with whom he stays in the slum. That he talks to Priety Zinta, Amir Khan, Harsha Bhogle, Pujaras father, Mallya, Warne and a host of others is to be expected anyways. 

Lots of interesting stories, very interesting research, interviews, insights, connections. One gets the impression that he's definitely not happy with most things in India or Indian cricket, and he makes no bones about mentioning who runs it and why, the money that goes into it. Very few pass his approval - his friend Shashi from Dharavi gets a clean chit while most others are viewed with some suspicion. But that's his experience as he wonders at how Indians put cricketers on a pedestal whereas even in Pakistan someone like Shahid Afridi is treated like an ordinary citizen. He ends with how difficult it was to access Sachin Tendulkar who he does get to meet but does not get an interview on a rainy day in London.

Many interesting insights and research heavy so I had to read it slowly, much too slowly for my comfort. But it's in a good way. I wonder how this book would have been if it covered the years from 2013 to now. Good stuff. Thanks Vinod Bhai for picking it up for me.

Victory Song - Chitra Banerjee Divakurani

I find this slim children's book in Anjali's shelf and have been planning to read it for a while. Mainly because A's book shelf always always more interesting and then it is a Divakarani book. And it's slim.

It's 1939. The story is set in Shonu Gram in a farmer's house. Preparations are on for the marriage of his eldest daughter. The younger daughter Neela is the rebellious one. At the wedding feast a bunch of freedom fighters show up and ask the congregation to give up something for the cause. Encouraged by a baoul (who also teaches Neela how to sing 'Vande Mataram') the guests give up money and jewellery. Neela gives away her gold chain.

Neela's father leaves home to join the freedom movement and goes to Calcutta. One of the freedom fighters, a 16 year old called Samar, comes to hide at Neela's house after being injured. Neela goes to Calcutta to search for her father. With the help of Samar and other freedom fighters, she finds her injured father and has to somehow get home while escaping the police who are looking for them. Will she or won't she? Will she and Samar meet? And marry? 

It's a children's book so they make it home. She sings Vande Mataram as Samar leaves and he says he will come back. I'm sure that's good enough for a child to sleep happily at night. 

Can't believe I picked a book which has a theme of Vande Mataram at a time when there's so much discussion going on about it. Can't also believe that there's so much discussion going on between people who probably can use their time better in building the nation.

Something New - Pickleball

Akshar booked a Pickleball court for an hour after we realised that the table tennis table was not operational. Rakesh, Anjali, Akshar and me then drove to Hive a place which had several courts for Pickleball, Padel, box cricket etc.

It was a first for me and Anjali. The raquets are slightly bigger than TT raquets, the ball is plasticky, it makes a sound like a wooden raquet on a plastic ball, but it's rather manageable. Akshar said it's a geriatric sport.

Anyway even for geriatrics an hour of playing five games was slightly tiring. I think we stopped at the right time. Some tt techniques worked, some didn't, but I am learning. 

Nothing like playing a game. Need to go back to playing.

The Champion's Mindset - Jim Afremow

Jim believes that champions can be made. And much of the making of a champion is mental. How do you believe you can be a champion? Simple - if you can spot greatness in others, then you have the qualities of greatness in you too. The qualities need to be worked at though, which needs a lot of mental discipline and strength. And yes, mental strength can be built through training. 

As with anything else that we want to get better at, start with assessing yourself on the four key areas that a champion needs to look at - Psychological, Physical, Technical and Tactical. Physical is easy - there are parameters that are set and one can keep working at them. Technical is stuff that coaches can teach which results in improvements in skill. Tactical is something one can learn by constant  discussions with coaches and peers and by experience.

Jim gives a lot of broad ideas on how to build the champions mindset.  

1) Know Process - Know the right processes on training and follow the process - skill routines, training programs, nutrition plan, sleep, relaxation, feedback, update life goals. Focus on basics when things go wrong.

2) Win the day - Follow process diligently everyday. What can you achieve today. Manage your priorities well. Include fun in daily activities.

3) Work - To be a champion there are no short cuts. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. No coach or team thinks in terms of happy or comfort - keep competing, executing and trying to improve. Does not matter if you have the best or the worst record. 

4) Work on the Mental Aspect - Beliefs - Shift beliefs and expectations to what you can achieve, not what you cannot. Visualise - Imagine what will your life look like as a champ. Put in the extra work. Affirmations and Self Talk - Use phrases like -Personal best.

5) Develop People skills - be present, listen, do not mind read, discuss problems when they begin, criticise behavior and not the person.

6) Focus on team work  - Its always about the team, bring the best you can to the work.

7) Lead with vision, enthusiasm, feedback, confidence, care about others, respect, lead on and off the field, hold everyone accountable, adapt, do the right thing

The Mental Skills Tool Kit - Start with these Tools

1) Goal setting - define what you want to achieve in clear, specific terms, write them down and  display them so you can see it everyday and work towards it
2) Mental imagery - practice visualisation, see images of you playing well, achieving, that feeling of winning, feel, enjoy
3) Self talk - watch your self-talk, your thoughts and words, flip all negative thoughts into positive thoughts, not a single negative word
4) Confidence - show confidence through proper preparation and demonstrated performance, until then fake it to make it
5) Focus - it is selective attention, eliminate distractions, think long term when it comes to success (the entire career and not one game) and short term when it comes to failure (forget failures soon after learning the lesson), lose yourself in the process of what you are doing
5) Breath control - Deep breathing, keep practicing this to stay present and mentally aware
7) Mental toughness - increase it by doing hard things every day, push every day a little more
8) Anxiety management - anxiety is about grey areas, address grey areas - the what ifs, channel thoughts and anxiety positively, prepare, breathe, be present
9) Enjoyment - be here and now, enjoy the process and have fun
10) Body language - smile, dress up
11) Intensity - be balanced in your intensity, throttle up, throttle down, 
12) Personal affirmations - have key phrases that are positive, the subconscious recognises the present so affirm in the present, I am the best, I got this

The Winning Mindset  

1) Play to win, not to not lose.Look to thrive and not just survive.
2) Be unapologetic about wanting to win.
3) Playing to win allows you to play within yourself (when you play not to lose, you either over do or  under do). 
5) There is a fear of winning and also a fear of failure. Look them in the eye. Get comfortable with both. Don't fear either. Focus on what you want to happen, not what you're afraid of.
6) Its okay to fail as long as you don't give up. 
7) Be in relaxed awareness state. Breathe. Tension is what you think you should be, relaxed is who you are.
8) Stay loose. Let the play come to you. Flow, don't force.
9) Focus on process - the present moment. On action.
10) Keep it simple.
11) Be quick but don't hurry.
12) Play ugly but stay in.
13) Know your job and do it.
14) Ask good questions in tough situations - what do I want to happen? What would help me now?
15) Have no excuses.Deal with whatever comes to you.
16) Adapt  - look at the what ifs, plan contingencies, be flexible.
17) When everyone else is nervous, I am excited. Train it and trust it.
18) During competitions forget mistakes. Use the blade of grass technique - pick up a blade of grass and look at it as if it was the mistake you made and blow it away in the wind - gone. Move on.
19) When you fail, get right back up, keep pushing it

Wisdom of  champion

It's not about winning only. It's about being the best you can be.

1) Seek mastery. Be your toughest rival.
2) Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do your best to become the best that you're capable of becoming - John Wooden
3) Manage your limitations
4) Get help
5) What does not kill me makes me stronger
6) Practice is everything. Keep learning, training, 
7) Chase your weaknesses, build your strengths. 'I make my weaknesses my strengths and my strengths stronger' - Lisa Fernandes
8) Move the chains
9) In crunch moments tell yourself - this is who I am and this is what I do everyday
10) Accept yourself unconditionally
11) Control the controllables
12) Look at the big picture, instead of one competition
13) Get comfortable with being uncomfortable
14) He who grasps, loses - Lao Tzu, Relentlessly pursue perfection
15) How to become my best
16) Intense discomfort is often the price tag for greatness 
17) Do what you are coached to
18) Commitment is either in or out
19) Sustained obsession
20) Do what others won't do
21) A champion needs a motivation above and beyond winning
22) Set out to do your absolute best
23) A real victor arrives at the finish line with no regrets

Zen stories

Empty cup - only if you empty your cup can you can absorb, learn new things (keep learning)
Monk and the mirror - I am the source, the problem and the solution (look within for answers)
Carrying the burden - Once it is done, move on (stay present, don't build stories)
Drop of water - Don't waste even a drop of water, be aware (use all resources well)
Maybe good, maybe bad - Have no judgment, because things change (don't judge to see clearly)
Cliffhanger - If you are present, you can enjoy even the most difficult times (there's a opportunity in the toughest times)
Gifts - You need not react to everything, you can choose not to (react only when needed)
Working hard - when you have one eye on the goal you have only one eye on the path (full focus on process)
Great waves - become the wave, and you will be at full potential (Immerse yourself fully)
Frog and centipede - until the frog pits doubt in the centipedes mind it does great with its hundred legs (don't doubt, overthink)
Taming the mind - do things when the going is tough (conquer the mind so its the same in all situations) 
Masterpiece - King seeks peace in paintings, peace in the eye of the storm (find peace in turmoil)
Painted lion - Fellow paints a lion and then gets scared of it (don't get scared by your own creations)
Breathing - it will pass
Chop wood and carry water - Do the same things before and after, only your awareness changes
Go with the flow - man in rapids surrenders to the flow and survives (don't fight, surrender)
Destiny - one believes in destiny but one also has agency like the two sided coin (create your own destiny by believing in it)
Chasing two rabbits - Cannot catch two rabbits at once, do it one at a time (one thing at a time)
The inn - palace, ask what it really means and is (its not the labels, its the function)
Statue of gold - can hide gold under clay

Golden reflections from Champions

1) Be focused on what it takes to win a competitive edge over my opposition. Barely left the room so not to get distracted - eat, train, sleep. No excuses. Cannot arrive less than your best and lacking confidence. Confidence comes with training
2) Don't give up after a weak moment. Come back stronger.
3) Effective practice is conscious presence, focused effort, with our entire being. Be in the now during 4) practice. Imagine a teacher standing on my shoulder and telling me 'Be here now'.
5) To win, uncover your authentic best self
6) How hard are you willing to work on competition day. Race day is a special day.
7) All team members must commit to the goals of the team. If you wanna win you gotta buy in. Commit 100% to the philosophy of team. Commit to my role in the team. Trust my coach and team mates.
8) Focus on each tiny step. Full focus on the process. Preparation is the key. Hey, I am ready.
9) Dream big.
10) That's what I want. Then go and get it. Commit to it. Tell others. Live the gold life.
11) Teaming is asking for help.
12) Focus on yourself. Not others. Take chances.

Game Plan - Before The Game

Goal setting (what to accomplish, clear and specific numbers, process)
Mental imagery (see yourself performing well, clear visual of process, of outcome)
Self talk (keep it simple, positive, remove all negative)
Confidence (can do attitude)
Focus (on target)
Breath control (breathe easy and deep)
Mental toughness (do the hard, stay within)
Anxiety (visualise your butterflies in formation)
Enjoy (have fun)
Body language (strong)
Intensity (energy level just right)
Affirmations (power phrases)

Principles
Go with what you got (don't doubt or underestimate yourself)
Most important thing is how you prepare for battle (you already are prepared)
Develop good routines to get a head start on opponent - reduce pre-competiton nervousness (music, visualisation, breathing)
Don't abandon the routine when most needed (stick to process)
Pep talks - keep it simple, clear, powerful/evoke previous success/ what you need to focus on to play your best/nothing to lose, everything to gain/enjoy each moment/ All night long, till the end give your best

Common Mental errors

- over emphasising the outcome
- trying too much 
- tracking the negative

List of Motivating Songs

One of the most interesting parts of the book is the list of motivational songs. I listened to a few. Here is the list.

1) Enter Sandman - Metallica

2) Pump it - Black Eyed Peas

3) Go Getta - Young Jeez

4) Lose Yourself - Eminem

5) Intro - The XX

6) Thunderstruck - ACDC

7) Drown in the now - The Crystal Method

8) Remember the Name - Fort Minor

9) Welcome to the jungle - Guns n Roses

10) Through the Fire - Pete Miser

11) Can't hold us - Macklemore and Ryan Lewis

12) Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes

Happy Listening

...

There are a lot of ideas in the book in a rather disorganised manner. Overall it seems to say - have a big vision, know your strengths and weaknesses, assess yourself all round, find help, get proper routines and work diligently, work towards the big vision, no substitute for hard work, have clear plans for game days, go for win, keep your mind on what you can do, if you fall get up and get going, use mental skills to be at your best mental state, follow process. Jim gets support from a lot of Zen stories, has a bunch of champions talk about their experiences (which was quite useful). Lots of information but just not organised in a manner - it is rather repetitive not delving deep. I have attempted to organise it the way I would like it because it does have some interesting parts to it. Maybe later I will write these down in a manner that makes sense to me as insights. The good parts are that it gave me some framework on mental preparation (too many again), some insights on preparing for the big games (don't change process, it's not another game, take chances), the level of comfort or happiness one needs in champion teams (none). 

Talk at Kalari, Alliance University, Bangalore

My students from the Department of Dance, University of Hyderabad, Kavya and Datta have both joined Alliance University, Bangalore as faculty. They are both Assistant Professors and teach Kuchipudi. 

I had taught them in 2019 so I was pleasantly surprised to get a call from Kavya asking me if I could take a session or two on Arts Management which is the course I had taught them. Since I was going to Bangalore on some work I told her I could do a session and we fixed it for today. 

Alliance University at Anekal is a 60 acre campus, lush with trees and greenery, full of students. It's very well organised, beautiful buildings etc. I loved their department, the food courts, the grounds and so on.

Since I went early I met Dr Sreedharan, Director of Indian Knowledge Systems, and was amazed at the body of work he has done in translating many rare works. 41 books he said and gifted me a copy of a book with Tulu poems (The Land that Speaks) that he translated into English with Dr Sruthy Chandrasekhar, Head of Department. 

The session was from 10 to 1 and we had about 30-35 students who participated actively as we discussed having a purpose, the approach to doing their best work, learning mindset, the 10000 hour rule to expertise, theories on how to be an expert, deliberate practice, deconstructing skill, preparation on three levels - physical, skill and mental, importance of feedback, touched a bit on marketing, finance, and made them do 20 year goals as an exercise. It was great fun and I enjoyed the interaction, the sharing.

Kavya and Datta took me out to lunch at the food court and we took a pic and parted. Thanks Kavya and Datta.

Act of Love - Peace, Style and Life on Even Terms

Something about this gentleman caught my eye - the way he was sitting, his leg hanging loose, a cigarette in his hand, smoke in the air (haven't been able to catch that smoke), a defiance or acceptance of life on its terms - not subservient, not hopeful, just on even, equal terms. A warrior. A king. On his throne. 

Or just someone who made peace with himself. With life. Who perhaps loves himself.

Loved his attitude. If I see him again another time I'll buy just to know him some more.

A Passion for Success - Kazuo Inamori

Kazua Inamori founded the Kyocera (Kyoto Ceramics) Company at 27 years of age, made it a success based on certain principles, established the Kyocera Corporation in California in 1976, founded DDI Corporation and Nippon Iridium and has donated 200 mn for the Inamori Foundation. His principles and philosophies are very simple - have no self interest, don't be a slave to money, grow other people, team before self, have big dreams and work relentlessly for them, find ways, empower people, be fair, be honest, be a learner, be humble. Harsha gave me this book to read and I found it validated many principles I believe in too.

The book has two parts - "How to Succeed in Life" and "How to Succeed in Business". 

To succeed in life he says one must be the hero (like in a movie, write your script and be its hero, not a side character), learn from all sources available (much wisdom available in elders), have a purpose and work for it, look at yourself objectively know your areas of strength and weakness, put in continuous effort towards your goal and most importantly follow his formula of
 Success = Ability X Effort X Attitude

Ability -
know where you stand objectively and try to learn and improve
overcome limitations through effort
imbibe some boldness and sensitivity which will help
control your instincts so you make better decisions (and not emotional ones)
focus your intellect
work on your character
to raise your ability you can set an impossible goal and work towards it with a time frame.

Effort 
Work is spiritual satisfaction
grow through your work by setting big goals
open new eras by being passionate about them (begin every project assuming you are starting with nothing)
things change when you learn to love your work
concentrate on one thing - by mastering one thing completely, you gain access to all things
be open to learning (misfortunes an be blessings, just be open)
be humble and satisfied, do what's right
infuse your energy into others because then you will get success even when material resources are lacking (if team members say they will do it you have a 30% chance of success, if they say they will do their best you have a 50% chance of success but if you infuse your energy and they consider the project their own, you have  a90% chance)
Make your team burn with passion. 

Attitude

never give up in the darkest hour
believe in the right path
think win-win
to build trustworthy relationships understand that it is about your mind's reflection, trust comes from within
try to see things as they are, unselfishly, then you can achieve anything
a person's ability is measured by decisions - to make a good decision one must see things as they are
give attention to detail
the subconscious mind makes the right decisions
your inner compass leads to the right decisions
base your judgement on fundamental truths and principles. 

To Succeed in Business he gives his formula of PASSION - Profit, Ambition, Sincerity, Strength, Innovation, Optimism and Never Give Up. Can't not succeed if you practice all these or even some of these. He looks at the enterprise as a drama on stage where everyone has a role to play and only when everyone does their role with commitment and passion do we have a successful play.

Profit - 

In his words - it is about maximising revenues and minimising costs. Do not chase profits - just do these two diligently. Kyocera shifted priority from technology to employees and rewrote their mission as 'the management rationale is to provide opportunities for the material and intellectual growth of all employees and through our joint effort, contribute to the advancement of society and mankind.' He says profit is society's reward for those who serve its interests.
Believe in basic rules and principles.
Pricing is management.
The essence of management is to maximise profit while satisfying the customer fully.
Follow the P&L daily.
Develop an internal reserve and act like it does not exist
Set ambitious goals and share goals with everyone, the master plan. Then see that every unit has their own plan.
He advises us to wrestle from the centre of the ring which means don't wait till it gets dangerous. Always place group interest above yours.

Ambition
Our desire to succeed should be so strong that it reaches and permeates our subconscious mind.
Have a clear and strong vision.
Be a self starter.
Work from the centre of your vortex- excel in your work and radiate excellence from it.
Your passion to succeed will open paths where none existed before.
If you have a virtuous motive - you do not need to worry about the results.

Sincerity

Any business victory should create harmony.
Work with the heart as base - abandon self-interest.
Being virtuous is the ability to make others spontaneously respect us.
All members should share the same values. be a humble leader.
A balanced executive has the qualities that posses dual extremes.
Practice great love where a great number of people get happiness form your work. Little love keeps everyone small.
Evaluate, assign and follow up - instruct rigorously and clearly, assign tasks, promote confidence, evaluate person's character, his or her attitude, constantly observe, follow up and coach.
Treat subordinates with love - give them guidance, discipline and training. Great virtue can be seen as being merciless but small virtue is seen as a great vice. Small love brings temporary popularity and short term results.
Show that you care in small ways - a pat, a word.
Communicate with the heart. Sincerity binds the speaker with the listener.

Strength

Strength is the courage to do the right thing.
One must sacrifice self interest, set a moral example. The team will reflect the leader.
Before you challenge and innovate prepare extensively on financial and mental side. 
Be tough, push limits and open new paths.

Innovation

Be creative and encourage others to be creative so they make some improvement everyday.
Creativity - burst with energy.
Elevate the mid and see from a higher plane.
Face difficult situations head on - and when you do that you have access to divine intervention.
Don't lose your base when you innovate - stay stable at some place so you don't lose everything.
Take calculated risks.
Reject common sense, rebel against traditional thinking.

Optimism

Have a clear vision and stay optimistic.
Get high on your dream, live it.
Remove all fear of failure.
Conceive optimistically, plan pessimistically and execute optimistically.

Never Give Up

Progress comes from taking the same daily steps, however trivial they seem to appear.
Remember you don't fail until you stop.
Your desire must turn into conviction.
Pursue all possibilities, set high expectations.
Be a stern task master. Workers reflect leaders.
The joy and appreciation of colleagues is the reward we get. pursue perfection.
To influence others, be fair.
Ask questions, create a learning culture.
To create harmony, don't be greedy.                  

...

Very nice. I liked his insights on people management, on detail, on simplicity and just the virtue of sincere, hard work. Thanks Harsha.

A Gift from Switzerland - Thanks Abhinay

Abhinay just returned after a three year study stint in Switzerland and he visited us today.

 I was pretty excited to see that he had brought me a gift which was in tune with my new passion - toy cars.

A lovely Volkswagon can. With doors that open. 

Love it. Thanks a ton Abhinay. I'm going to have fun with this. My collection of cars is growing. 

Going to the Movies - Syd Field

Somewhere in the book Syd talks about someone who says that we only have one or two stories and we keep telling them in different forms. Syd himself has been writing about 'Screenplay' and different ways to approach it. This one is about his journey through four decades of films as a child of Hollywood, a documentary film maker, a film critic, head of story department, a screenwriter, a teacher of screenplay writing and an author of screenplay writing.

One of the first things I did was to write down all the wonderful movies he refers to in the book and hope to see some of them. There are many nuggets that he mentions here and there that I wrote down. His journey in brief as I remember it - grew up in Hollywood, a family where there were people working in Hollywood, still not too inclined and wanted a college education, registered for a course in dentistry, somehow got drawn to plays and acted, got drawn to films and got into film school. His first job was in Wolper Productions thanks to his Uncle Sol who was a well established cameraman, and he worked and learned many aspects of film making. Then to screenwriting. Back to working with Cinemobile where he researched hundreds of scripts to pick the right ones, went into writing himself. Then taught a course on screenplay writing at Sherwood Oaks and fully got into the teacher (student) mode and then wrote the books on Screenplay writing which are his biggest claim to fame. He is undoubtedly the first name anyone recommends to read when learning about screenplay.

There's a quote by Renoir (the film guy) who tells him that 'a part is like going to a store and buying something that fits. But then you have to alter it a bit here, a bit there until it fits right'. - It could very well be for a book, a movie, anything creative.
Writing a screenplay is always work in progress. It never ends.
Avoid the cliche.
Bring yourself to the character.
Art should offer the viewer the chance of merging with the creator.
Art is in the doing of it (as opposed to talking about doing it).
Movies are stories told in pictures. Think in pictures, not dialogue.
Character is set up visually.
We write only one or two stories in our life.
The main genres - action, adventure, thriller, war, western, noir, love stories
A strong opening is necessary. Strong opening scene, Grab attention in the first few minutes.
Great art comes from distillation of personal experience - Renoir

There's this bit he discusses with a poet friend of his - Graves - about inspiration. Graves says he knew of a writer who would keep a rotten apple near him when he wrote for inspiration.Graves himself would fall madly in love and break up and in the aftermath would write.

From Joseph Campbell's A Hero with a Thousand Faces Syd finds the format - hero is placed in a situation, faces a series of obstacles, he fights them to get what he wants and achieves a higher state of consciousness, he changes on the inside and the outside, a symbolic transformation of death. His journey is one of acceptance of his fate, be it life or death.

From his discussions with Sam Pekinpah -

The character is obsessively driven to achieve his goal. He follows his dharma - the path of righteous action.

One thing Syd points out when observing the work of a director - that he uses the contradiction of visual image, showing what's not expected

Hang the story around a centrepiece event. Build action up to that and everything else is a result of that.
A tense moment can be followed by a humorous episode in order to break the tension. 

Create an emotional weakness and then create a physical ailment that reflects that emotional weakness.

Infuse the characters with different shades of conflict. Conflict can be external or internal.
Without conflict there is no action, without action there is no character change,without character there is no story.

A film is like getting on a roller coaster, its always moving.

From Cinemobile days - 

Act I sets up the story and introduces the characters.
Film is behavior.

You have 30 seconds to tell the story - Pitchman's pitch

A good idea needs good execution.

Script ratings- whammos, every ten pages.

Taking full ownership for his submissions. Did I like it? If so, why? If I didn't, why not? A good screenplay normally has a good visual style, an interesting premise, and 3 dimensional characters. One needs to know whats the story about? Who is it about? What's going on?

Syd developed his paradigm of three Acts - Acts 1 (Beginning, set up, plot point 1 at 2-30 pages),Act 2 (The Middle, Confrontation, mid point at page 60, plot point at 80-90 pages), Act II (End, resolution)

The most exciting part of the creative process is the moment that lies between confusion and clarity.

What is the character but the determination of the incident, what is the incident but the illumination fo character.

Writing - address the inner critic - So what? Feel free to write without worrying about perfection. 

It does not matter how you write. Just that you write. Just tell the story.

Identify the idea, find the pictures that illustrate the ideas, build a story around them.

...

The films he mentions that I hope to see -

Ordinary people
The Big Easy
Witness
Dances with Wolves
Terminator II
Bridges of Madison County
Courage Under Fire
Groundhog Day
Usual Suspects
Sliding Doors
Magnolia
Wonder Boys
Traffic
The Perfect Storm
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Out of Sight
Boogie Bights
Hard Eight
Hustler
Body heat
An Unmarried Woman
Absence of Malice
An affair to remember
Serpico
Manhattan
Annie Hall
Body and Soul
All the King's Men
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Three Days to Condor
American Graffiti
Jeremiah Johnson
Mean Streets
Alice Don't Live Here Anymore
The Killing
Paths of Glory
His Girl Friday
The Philadelphia Story
Sullivan's Travels
Red River
The Wild Bunch
Woman of the Year
Goddess
Singin in the rain
An American in Paris
Duel in the Sun
From here to Eternity
Notorious
The Postman always rings twice
Lady from Shanghai
Star Wars
Rules of the game

...

Nice read as always. I started reading this book almost three months ago when I went to Goa and put it aside, even though it was a very interesting read. It's part of A's collection - I have no idea where she got these books from. 

Now to get to the movies.

        

        

Acts of Love - Grandmother and Grandson

I was walking Akela this morning when I saw this grandmother walking with a very young grandson, maybe five or six years old. She was walking slowly and I could see that the grandson was company for her.

Then she stopped walking because she was perhaps tired. The grandson looked puzzled. He didn't know what to do. 

She crossed over and sat by the side of the road. The grandson stood by her wondering what to do. A tender moment. A shared moment. A moment of love. 

An act of love. 

I sent some energy her way and hoped they both went wherever they had to go and had a good time while at that.

Hyderabad by Walk - Aghapura, Gyan Bagh Palace

Deccan Archives announced the Aghapura walk promising hidden palaces and such. It sounded exciting and though I had a meeting at 11 at Gachibowli, I thought I'd chance it. So I showed up at 830 at Dargah Shah Khamosh, near Nampally, which is as beautiful a dargah as you can hope to see. A decent crowd had gathered and I parked, reparked, reparked according to the wishes of various dargah people who kept showing up until Safwan found me a good place, a little distance away from the hassles of the dargah keepers.

Gyan Bagh Palace

Another view

Finally, we were off after a quick intro by Sibgat to Shah Khamosh Dargah and the Sufi traditions of Hyderabad. We moved to the graves of two Hyderabadi poets Makhdoom Moinuddin (Phir Chhidi Raat...) and Amjad Hyderabadi both lying within 100 metres of the dargah. Makhdoom was the founder of the Progressive Writers Union of Hyderabad, an active member of the Communist Party in Hyderabad and active in the rebellion against the Nizam's regime while Amjad Hyderabadi had lost his family in the 1908 floods and survived by climbing the banyan tree in Osmania General Hospital and hanging on for life along with a 100 or more people. Sibgat used (normally uses) the most appropriate words while speaking about the two poets and their divergent philosophies that I wonder why he doesn't write more.

Hazrat Shah Khamosh Dargah - the green enclosure to the left is late poet Amjad Hyderabadi's

Late Poet Makhdoom Mohiuddin's Grave (near the dargah)

Naubat Khana where they beat kettle drums

We passed the gate where they beat the nagara or naubat or kettle drums to announce the time of the day and other important occasions and spilled on to the main road and walked towards Darusalam and much to my delight, onward to Gyan Bagh, a 170 plus year old palace owned by the Dhanraj Girs, once known as the Rockefellers of India, the second richest family in the South (as per some basic research I did). 

Driveway to Gyan Bagh Palace

Extended parts of the palace

In its time Gyan Bagh was one of the most expensive mansions around. Originally from Kandar in Afghanistan, the family appears to have moved to Ujjain, then Pune and during the Peshwa rule, to the Deccan under the last Qutb Shah ruler. The family has opulent palaces in Bombay, Pune and Hyderabad, owned mills and properties, hospitals and ginning factories in Sholapur and Bombay. I remember the Dhanraj Girs as models, actors, great looking people, Tarun Dhanraj Gir I remember who played Darcy's role in the Indian tele series version of 'Pride and Prejudice' - Trishna - and was the heartthrob of many young girls. He acted in other series such as 'Aarohan' and then produced and directed films like 'Bolo Hau' which is as Hyderabadi as it gets. 

Another view

The main entrance

Royal insignia

I asked Wahaj what Gyan Bagh palace was about and he told me it belonged to Rani Indira Devi Dhanraj Gir. In my cursory research I came across a couple of blogs and some info online about the palace - built over 30000 sft, with limestone and marble, 19 suites, built in three phases. It appears to be named after the first Raja Gyan Gir Bahadur, then passed on to Raja Narsingh Girji Bahadur and then to Raja Dhanraj Gir Bahadur (1893-1988). Indira Devi (1930-2026), first of four siblings, was born to Raja Dhanraj Gir and Rani Premila Devi. Interestingly for me, Raja Dharaj Gir apparently introduced many western ideas and hold your breath, also introduced the game of cricket to Hyderabad. He was in the court of the seventh Nizam Mir Osman Ali.

Entrance to an ancient tomb

Akhirat Manzil - Final Destination

Rani Indira Devi was a poet, painter, socialite and philanthropist and here's one piece of information that knocked me down - she was nominated for the 1973 Nobel Prize for Literature for her poetry. She married Srikishan Seth, nephew of Kishen Pershad, erstwhile noble and twice Prime  Minister under the Nizams (after whom there was once a A division cricket tournament played in Hyderabad). She left him very early on in the marriage and later divorced him in 1970. Wikipedia says she married again in 1971 - poet Seshendra Sharma. Rani Indira also entertained local poets such as Aziz Qaisi, Makdoom Mohiuddin, Jwalamukhi and so on and Gyan Bagh appears to have been a place of much literary and cultural activity in those days.

   

Another gateway

The address of the palace is Joshiwada Colony, Goshamahal. The gate looks quite ordinary and we walked into the drive way. There is a lot of growth on either side, and a rather amicable security guard busy chopping onions accosted us. Newly constructed walls indicated that some parts have been sectioned off. To the left one could see a bunch of old unused vehicles in a garage. We were joined by Smt Anuradha Reddy who spoke about the family and their history in her inimitable manner while the security guard called someone who came and finally allowed us in. As we walked closer to the palace we could see that it was being renovated and painted etc. The facade looked imposing and I could see there was more to the palace at the back. Apparently the Telugu film 'Muthyala Muggu' was shot here.

Another one

Exiting Shah Khamosh Dargah

I took a couple of pictures of the palace and headed out as I had a meeting. But it was very interesting to see this palace, this piece of history right in the middle of Hyderabad, in parts I never set foot on in the last fifty years. Glad I could, thanks to Deccan Archives. which is contributing considerably to expand my knowledge and history of my dear city.     

On my way back I took pictures of the many interesting gateways to Sufi tombs and dargahs, of Makdoom Mohiuddin's tomb and Amjad Hyderabadi's tomb and headed off. One called 'Akhirat Manzil' which Wahaj said literally means 'The Final Destination'. Nothing subtle about that.  

It's amazing so much history lies here in this narrow, neglected part of the city. Hopefully will explore these streets some more soon.

Lovely Gifts - Thanks Vinod Bhai.

Vinod has this wonderful habit of looking out for books that might interest me in his weekly expeditions to the second hand book market at Abids. Last Sunday he picked up 'The Art of Captaincy' by Mike Brearley and 'The Great Tamasha' by James Astill. Looking forward to reading them both.

I remember gifting my copy of 'The Art of Captaincy' to young Akshath Reddy when we made him captain of the Hyderabad Ranji team when he was a mere 21 years old circa 2012 when I was Chief Selector of HCA. Now I'll keep this copy with myself. 

And I gifted myself a little Hot Wheels truck. 

Hyderabad by Walk - Gems of Charminar Walk by Mukthyar, Part 5, Sardar Mahal

 From there we walked to Sardar Mahal, an erstwhile palace constructed by the 6th Nizam Mahboob Ali Khan to his wife Sardar Begum but she did not like it and never stayed there. 

Sardar Mahal from the outside

From inside - the restored part

Needs work 

This too - quaint

The GHMC people took over and stayed there until recently and now it is being converted into a heritage hotel. We stepped in and walked around, quite impressive. 

Mukhtyar and Arup at Kaapi Karam

On the way out we stopped at Kapi Karam a new restaurant that has come up right there, ate some breakfast and headed off. Nice walk Mukhtyar.

Hyderabad by Walk - Gems of Charminar Walk by Mukhtyar,Part 4 - Jama Masjid

 From the Makkah Masjid we headed to Jama Masjid which is older - built in the 1597-1598 period. its is mostly now covered with sheds so one cannot appreciate the architecture though we can see glimpses of it.

 This was built just after the Charminar was built and under the rule of Mohammad Quli Qutbh Shah.

Hyderabad by Walk - Gems of Charminar Walk with Mukhtyar, Part 3, Makkah Masjid

From Nimrah we strolled across to Makkah Masjid and this was a first for me. As we enter we found to the left a hall made of marble which house the tombs of all the Nizams barring the 1st and the 7th. The sixth Nizam's tomb (Mahboob Ali Khan) had a covering as he was considered a saint. 

Makkah Masjid

Many people were relaxing there, some were deep in sleep. 

Makkah Masjid

Mukhtyar explained that it was called the Makkah masjid because the Qutb Shahi ruler who started it, Muhammad Qutb Shah, had soil brought from Makkah, baked bricks out of it and laid the foundation with those bricks (which are also there in the central arch). 

The tombs

The Nizams Tombs - all but the 1st and the 7th

It is the largest mosque in Hyderabad and can house 10000. The main walls are made of single pieces of granite and it is said that it took years to quarry it. 8000 workers were employed and it took almost 80 years to complete - finally Aurangzeb had to complete it in 1694 after he defeated the Qutb Shahis. 

Inside the massive Makkah Masjid

Sundial and my co walkers

Dramatic

Charminar from Makkah Masjid

The caretaker took us in and showed us the inscriptions in gold. There is a sun dial of those times which is not functional anymore for whatever reason.