4 Sixers - Nothing Succeeds like Success

In the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 (non-going for India, sadly) in England, India stumbled losing by 18 runs in the semifinal played vs New Zealand, at the Old Trafford in Manchester spread over two days due to rain on the first day. The Dream Team touted as the contenders for the world cup are out of the world cup

Much ado had been made of this ouster

analysis, criticism, news, anger by analysts, critics, media, public, ex-cricketers

The middle batting order failed, why was Rishabh Pant sent in at number 4, why was the highly experienced Mahinder Singh Dhoni not sent in earlier or why is this senior citizen playing here at all ?X%$, why were this and this players included and why this and this players excluded, where was the need for Rishabh Pant to make that irresponsible shot, or for Hardik Pandya to emulate him?

The inimical Mohamad Azharuddin could only find faults. Why was bowler Shami excluded, Dhoni is old and should not be playing, even questioning Virat Kohli’s captaincy and if at all he should continue as captain

blah blah blah

Few brought forth the achievements and accomplishments of this team. This is the team which won a whopping 7 out of 9 matches played, lost only one match (to England, who are now in the finals) and one game washed out, topping the league table. Only one other team (Australia, who have now lost to England in the other semifinals) has equaled this remarkable record in this tournament.

Rohit Sharma's centuries garnered him 648 runs and a batting average of 80, Jasprit Bumrah has been exceptional, the flamboyant Jadeja made a career best 77 with 4 swashbuckling sixers under enormous pressure coming in at number 8 with India tottering in the semifinal. Shikhar Dhawan continued to play for several hours with a fractured thumb in the first match against Australia leading India to victory with his 117 runs. Hardik Pandya had a groin injury but valiantly batted against New Zealand in the semifinal. Are these tales of valour and accomplishments not worth reflecting on.

Sachin Tendulkar remained balanced with an all encompassing analysis, pointing out that every team has a bad day, preferring to highlight Team India's overall achievements in the tournament.

In the semifinal against New Zealand, 25 runs were needed with 10 balls left, a gargantuan but not impossible task with the seasoned Dhoni still at the crease. Dhoni has come up muster with his steely nerves in earlier ODI’s, his late entry was warranted to take control of a bad situation and effectively take on the challenge of the run chase. Dhoni may well have managed that, if not for the accuracy of Guptill’s direct throw on the stumps, running out Dhoni and running out India’s hopes.

If only Dhoni had not been runout, if only 4 sixers had been struck, even if it was a tie with New Zealand, India by virtue of better run rate and topping the round robin stage with only one loss vs New Zealand's 3 defeats, would have been through the Final. Then the same critics would have gloating, none of the talk of the middle order, selection of players etc. would have been expounded on

Nothing succeeds like success
If only
4 Sixers

"Come On"...Tennis Anyone...How about the Australian Open

Nadal, Federer, Djokovic all three at Australian Open 2019!

Bonanza for tennis fans - all these three great, exemplary players who have entertained tennis fans for a decade and half are at Melbourne, overcoming all injuries. So too are the new kids on the block Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev, Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, raring to oust the greats.
First three unsuccessful, but the twenty year old from Greece, Tsitsipas with his entire family - parents and younger brother and adorable little sister Elizabeth cheering on, defeats Roger Federer to utter disbelief and grief of us Federer fans. No doubt he played well, has a very strong serve, athleticism and young energy, but his win was compounded by an unusually distracted Federer making unexpectedly high number of unforced errors, especially on his backhand and at the net. Well, when Federer burst on the scene he did defeat the giant Pete Sampras. So the old must make way for the young. We tennis fans hope that the tradition of new genius emerging has happened. However, its not going to be so soon.
As Nadal expressed "maybe they can wait another year"
And Nadal fructifies that by decimating Tsitsipas in the Semi-finals! Not just in straight sets, but allowing only a handful of points to Tsitsipas on his (Nadal's) serve.
So tomorrow its Nadal versus Djokovic in the finals - will it be a repeat of the 5 hours and 53 minutes duel they engaged in, a few  years earlier here at the Australian Open. Both are in top form, probably it will be a five setter, but as Djokovic says, after the enforcement of the super tiebreak (the fifth set will also have a tiebreak) it wont stretch for that long.

What way will the Ladies go
Womens tennis remains, as it has for so many years, wonderfully mysterious. The days are over when it was a toss between the artistry of just two players - Stefi Garf and the ruggedness of Monica Seles with the Spaniard Arantxa Sánchez Vicario relegated mostly to being third, and being allowed to win only once in a while, along with others like Maritina Hingis. Before the start of the Australian Open, as many as eleven possible contenders were projected for the crown. Sans Serena Williams with 23 Slam titles the various winners of Slam titles have rotated between young and old, newcomers and mothers. So we saw the Italian prime minister flying down to the the US especially to watch two comparatively lesser known Italians competing in a US Open final. Some stunned by entering the Australian Open early on...e.g. Anna Ivanovic, who lost and cried on losing in the finals. As a child she practised with Djokovic in a deserted swimming pool in their war torn country. Maria Sharapova won the Wimbledon in 2004, displayed great talent and tenacity yet turned out to be taciturn. Similar case of Victoria Azarenka. In recent years the imposingly tall Spaniard Garbine Muguruza on losing to Serena Williams in a final, was applauded and consoled by Serena "you will win next year". Serena withdrew to have a baby, but Muguruza did not fulfill that prophecy.
Kvitova and the tenacious Naomi Osaka clash in the finals today. Kvitova has battled injury caused by being knifed in the arm by an intruder in her home, which also led to fear of being alone in closed spaces. She shared that talking to Monica Seles who was knifed while in a match, helped her overcome her fears, making her emerge stronger. Naomi Osaka's unsmiling, implacable, samurai like countenance, belies the nervous energy she packs in, evidenced by her constant twirling of the racquet, banging her clenched fist on her thigh and the cries of "come on". A short lack of concentration cost her the second set against. Pliskova in the the semi-final. If she can stay focused and channel her energy into her playing, my bet is on Osaka

As to the men, Nadal is raring like a raging bull!!!

Recovering from injury and sensibly playing in less competitions he is insistent to add at least one more AO title to his solitary one win. Even in that win his glory and adulation from the audience was stolen by the losing finalist Federer weeping at the crowning ceremony, forcing Nadal to spend most of his time consoling him. Nadal has strategized with tutelage from his coach and "improved" his forehand (is that possible??). How, he's not giving away that secret, maybe he'll cough up after wining. Both Djokovic and Federer have won the AO title, 6 times each, 2019 may well belong to Rafael Nadal.

Fashion anyone
As always the king of clay Rafael Nadal also remains trendy, adorning the colours of the spring summer 2019 - sunshine, mango and turmeric. Fashion conscious Sharapova and many others donned hues of blues, while several sported the subtle charcoal grey brushed denim look

"Come On".....
German or Spanish, Serbian or Japanese, Russian or Belgian, and of course American....when it comes to self encouragement all players seem to favour the same takiya kalam (oft repeated word or phrase) - "Come on"

French Open 2018 Nike's aqua blue uniform

At the ongoing French Open 2018 in Paris, a remarkable number of women players opted for Nike's aqua blue Summer Zonal Cool" Tank and "Summer Zonal Smash" Skirt. Nike's designers aimed at creating a contrast between the solid blue colour with the Roland Garros clay courts. Though it seems monochromatic the engineered knit textured fabric adds interest.
The champion of clay, the redoubtable Rafel Nadal aiming for a stupendous eleventh title will be playing in the final on Sunday, 10 June 2018 against Austrian Dominic Thiem. Nadal has his own "NikeCourt AeroReact Rafa top, Flex Ace shorts and Air Zoom Cage 3 footwear".
“As a design team, we wanted Rafa to feel powerful on the clay, and the flooded color really helps that because it’s overwhelming; it makes him look like a force of nature,” said Abby Swancutt, Apparel Design Director for NikeCourt.

Nadal sports the Nike blue contrasting beautifully against the brick red of the Roland Garros court

Simona Halep of Romania will be playing today in the Finals (9 June 2018) against

American Sloane Stephens

The ever stylish and fashionable russian Maria Sharapova also choose blue, but her very own signature outfit - the airy Nike "Summer Maria Dress" - the official name of the colour is "blue force", the texture creates visual appeal as well as its high on heat performance.

Other ladies turned out in blue were

Donna Vekic of Croatia

Elina Svitolina of Ukraine

Caroline Garcia of France

Daria Kasatkina of Russia

Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic

Sara Errani of Italy

Madison Keyes of USA

Fairy tale wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on 19 May 2019

Meghan’s stunning wedding gown by Givenchy

Meghan Markle was a stunning sight when she made a dramatic arrival at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor in a pure white silk gown by Givenchy. The French fashion house called it, via Twitter, a "Haute Couture wedding gown." Designed by Givenchy’s creative director 48 year old British designer Clare Waight Keller, who formerly helmed the fashion house Chloé.

Meghan chose Keller “for her timeless and elegant aesthetic, impeccable tailoring, and relaxed demeanour” and worked closely with her on the design. The unembellished gown featured a graphic open bateau neckline, a sculpted waist and slim three-quarter sleeves that drew attention to Meghan’s svelte neckline, shoulders and slender waist. The lines of the dress extended towards the back where the train flowed in soft round folds cushioned by an underskirt in triple silk organza. The sleek lines of the gown were complemented with a five metres long veil made from silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers in silk threads and organza, featuring flora of 53 Commonwealth countries. The monarch length veil was a tribute to the queen who, at her wedding in 1947, wore her own flower-embroidered veil with a long train.

The elegantly classic dress reflected Meghan’s own style as well as epitomizing “a timeless minimal elegance referencing the codes of the iconic House of Givenchy and showcasing the expert craftsmanship of its world-renowned Parisian couture atelier founded in 1952.”

Prince Harry’s mother, Princess Diana’s wore a wedding dress in 1981, designed by Elizabeth Emanuel. Emanuel was all praise for Meghan’s gown, and said that the dress’s simplicity made a “really solid fashion statement.” “It was absolutely plain and pure and elegant, past royal wedding gowns tend to be very classic and very traditional, and this wasn’t because it did not have all the lace and all the decoration and anything on it. It was a new kind of look, but still classical and regal.”

Meghan's clean cut look was dramatically different than Princess Diana's extravagantly voluminous dress, though both featured high necklines covering their shoulders, with simple fabric, both also had incredible long veils.

Something Borrowed…The Tiara 

Meghan's hair arranged in an updo and adorned with the veil, was accessorized with the Queen Mary’s Diamond Bandeau made in 1932, last worn by Princess Margaret in 1965.  It was borrowed from Harry's grandmother the Queen, in keeping with the tradition of loaning royal brides priceless heirlooms to wear on their wedding day. The tradition of wearing "something borrowed" is considered lucky and imparts the best wishes of family.

Meghan selected this little known diamond and platinum tiara, which features a magnificent floral-shaped suspended brooch (the brooch dates from 1893) in the centre made of a large round diamond surrounded by nine smaller circular diamonds. It was specifically made for the Queen's grandmother Queen Mary to accommodate the detachable brooch, which was given to Mary as a wedding present in 1893 by the County of Lincoln. The bandeau is a flexible band of 11 intricate glittering sections, pierced with interlaced ovals and pavé set with large and small brilliant diamonds. The bandeau and the brooch were bequeathed by Queen Mary to her granddaughter the Queen on her death in 1953. 

53 flowers representing the Commonwealth countries

Meghan's five metre veil contained the distinctive flora of all 53 countries in the Commonwealth, united in one spectacular composition. Kensington Palace said: “Ms Markle expressed the wish of having all 53 countries of the Commonwealth with her on her journey through the ceremony. Ms. Waight Keller designed a veil representing the distinctive flora of each Commonwealth country united in one spectacular floral composition.

The Commonwealth family of nations – of which Her Majesty The Queen is Head –will be a central part of Prince Harry’s and Ms. Markle’s official work following His Royal Highness’s appointment as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador. "Ms Markle wanted to express her gratitude for the opportunity to support the work of the Commonwealth by incorporating references to its members into the design of her wedding dress.”

"Significant time was spent researching the flora of each Commonwealth country and much care was taken by Ms. Waight Keller to ensure that every flower is unique."

Hand sewn floral shapes were worked flat, in three dimensions to create a unique and delicate design. The workers spent hundreds of hours meticulously sewing and washing their hands every thirty minutes to keep the tulle and threads pristine.”

In addition to the flora of the Commonwealth, Ms Markle also selected two personal favourites: Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox), which grows in the grounds of Kensington Palace in front of Nottingham Cottage, and the California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) the State flower from Ms Markle’s place of birth, California.

Symmetrically placed at the very front of the veil, crops of wheat are delicately embroidered and blend into the flora, to symbolise love and charity.

Reference:
https://www.royal.uk/wedding-dress-bridesmaids%E2%80%99-dresses-and-page-boys-uniforms

Accessories and Styling

Meghan wore diamond earrings and bracelet made by Cartier, while the wedding shoes were based on a Givenchy refined pointed couture design made of a silk duchess satin. Meghan's hair was styled by Serge Normant, with make-up by long-time friend and make-up artist Daniel Martin.

The Bride’s Bouquet

Prince Harry handpicked several flowers yesterday from their private garden at Kensington Palace to add to the bespoke bridal bouquet designed by florist Philippa Craddock.

Princess Diana’s favourite spring flowers, Forget-Me-Nots were included as the couple specifically chose them to honour the memory of the late Princess on this special day. The Bride's petite bouquet of delicate blooms also included scented sweet peas, lily of the valley, astilbe, jasmine and astrantia, and sprigs of myrtle, all bound with a naturally dyed, raw silk ribbon.

Cost of dress

Celebrity stylist Lucas Armitage told Femail that a dress like Meghan's is likely to cost in the region of £200,000. 

'A whole team would be dedicated to every detail of the dress, the fabric, the pattern, the toiles all working in tandem to create the effortlessly chic piece' 'Don't underestimate its understated veneer, every stitch and every seam will have been meticulously planned to perfection to give it the perfect regal aesthetic. '

'I predict it will have cost around the £200K mark for such a couture approach to bridal.'

Bespoke fabric from a Parisian mill: £60,000

Multiple fittings: £35,000

Seamstress and toile making: £74,000

Designing and pattern cutting: £25,000

Additional alterations pre-wedding day: £4000

TOTAL:  £198,000

Reference:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-5747495/Will-Megan-Markle-wear-Stella-McCartney.html#ixzz5G2bqYMFM

Watch video of Meghan Markle’s dramatic arrival and elegant walk down the aisle to meet Prince Harry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rglMVDb3Go

Intesting talk "Tribute to Stephen Hawkings' by Prof S.D. Saxena

"Tribute to Stephen Hawkings' by Prof S.D. Saxena

Today at India Habitat Members Meet, Prof. Saxena entertained us with some interesting facts and sayings from Stephen Hawkings e.g.
Hawkings said
Popular science is big business
If you have ideas nothing matters
A strong mind can overcome everything
Turn your handicap into advantage



Among other facts, Prof Saxena shared how Hawking's daughter Lucy asserted that "my father knows everything" and narrated an entertaining anecdote.
Lucy's son was about 8 years, when his pal asked Hawking - "what would happen if I fell into a black hole?"
Hawking's reply "you would turn into sphaghetti" thrilled the kids.

check this out at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-mo_P9DkuA

Chaitra Navratri - the beginning of the Hindu New Year

चैत्र नवरात्रि

18 मार्च - 25 मार्च 2018

आत्‍मशुद्ध‍ि और मुक्‍त‍ि का आधार

उपासना और पूजा करने से घर की नाकारात्मकता दूर होती है और वातावरण में साकारात्मक ऊर्जा का संचार होता है

नौ दिन - मां दुर्गा के नौ रूप की पूजा
नौ रूप - मां शैलपुत्री, ब्रह्मचारिणी, चन्द्रघंटा, कूष्माण्डा, स्कंदमाता, कात्यायनी, कालरात्रि, महागौरी और मां सिद्धिदात्री

चैत्र नवरात्रि का महत्‍व
चैत्र नवरात्रि में सूर्य का राशि परिवर्तन होता है।  सूर्य 12 राशियों का चक्र पूरा कर दोबारा मेष राशि में प्रवेश करते हैं और एक नये चक्र की शुरुआत करते हैं।
चैत्र नवरात्रि से हिन्दु नव वर्ष की शुरुआत होती है।

Chaitra Navratri symbolizes the beginning of the Hindu New Year

It falls in the month of chaitra and the beginning of the spring season

Nine forms of Goddess Durga - Shailputri, Brahmachaarini, Chandraghanta, Kushmaanda, Skandamaata, Katyaayani, Kaalraatri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri are worshipped.

Navratri - ‘Nav’ means nine and ‘Ratri’ means night in Sanskrit

= ‘Navratri’ is nine nights of worship and celebration.

Mahishasurmardini (Goddess Durga killing the buffalo-demon, Mahishasur-'Mahish' refers to a 'buffalo' and 'asura'-means demon). 20^th century, West Bengal, colour on cotton cloth, 112 x 92 cm, collection: National Museum, New Delhi

According to the Hindu legends, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva evoked Goddess Durga to save the Devalok (heaven) and the living beings on earth from the tyranny of Mahishasur. The dominion of the Gods had been overpowered by the buffalo demon and hence they were worried about their survival. Using her prowess, the ten-armed goddess on lion slayed the demon, restoring peace in the heavens and on the earth. This pata (cloth) chitra (painting) delineates the victory of good over evil.

Another portrayal of Ma Durga in Mahishaasurmardini avtaar is seen in this beautiful sculpture which was returned to India by Germany

The 10^th century Durga idol had gone missing from a temple in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir in the 1990s and surfaced at the Linden Museum, Stuttgart, in Germany.

The idol was handed over by visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi after their talks in New Delhi, three years after it was spotted in a museum in Stuttgart. Shri Modiji  thanked Merkel and the people of Germany for returning the idol, saying “The statue is from Jammu and Kashmir & is a symbol of victory of good over evil.”

"EAST MEET EAST; Art Exchanges between Japan and India" a talk at IIC on 1st Dec 2017

An event marking "2017 Year of Japan-India Friendly Exchanges"