Happy Birthday, Dr Doyle!

 

147 years ago, on this day, was born the creator of arguably the most famous detective of all time, fictional though, Sherlock Holmes! 

 

There are two famous lists of favourite stories: that of Conan Doyle himself, in 1927, and that of the Baker Street Journal in 1959.

Conan Doyle's list:

1. "The Adventure of the Speckled Band"
2. "The Red-Headed League"
3. "The Adventure of the Dancing Men"
4. "The Adventure of the Final Problem"
5. "A Scandal in Bohemia"
6. "The Adventure of the Empty House"
7. "The Five Orange Pips"
8. "The Adventure of the Second Stain"
9. "The Adventure of the Devil's Foot"
10. "The Adventure of the Priory School"
11. "The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual"
12. "The Adventure of the Reigate Squire"

The Baker Street Journal's list:

1. "The Adventure of the Speckled Band"
2. "The Red-Headed League"
3. "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle"
4. "The Adventure of Silver Blaze"
5. "A Scandal in Bohemia"
6. "The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual"
7. "The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans"
8. "The Adventure of the Six Napoleons"
9. "The Adventure of the Dancing Men"
10. "The Adventure of the Empty House"

 

 

Young achievers - Sachin

Check out http://specials.rediff.com/sports/2006/may/15sld7.htm 

No story about the power of youth, the power of sheer genius and the power of sport can be complete without mentioning Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar.

If ever there was a prodigy, Tendulkar is one. If ever there was a sportsman who inspired generations, Tendulkar is one. And if ever there was a sportsman who transcended the game to become a symbol of national pride, Sachin is one.

His was what is called baptism by storm — against Pakistan, in Pakistan, against Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis firing on all cylinders. And Sachin stood the sledges, the 'perfume' balls and a knock to his head.

The world had seen its first glimpse of The Tendulkar resolve.

In the years that have followed, commentators have gobbled up dictionaries to find superlative adjectives to describe his batting, his dedication to the game and his keen interest in everything cricket. Myriad records have come crashing, myriad egos have been deflated — remember Henry Olonga, anyone? - and myriad greats have doffed their hat to the Bombay Blaster.

And we have seen a master at work. We are lucky.

"Main khelunga", said a young boy, all of 16, struck on the nose by a perfume ball and bleeding. With Sidhu on the other end thinking a stretcher would need to be summoned, the world saw the arrival of the young man, who was to rule cricket for several years thereafter. Sachin struck a masterful half-century in that innings. The meek boy with a girlish voice had transitioned into a man…

No win, but IITians give a fight

(Courtesy: Press Trust of India) 

Chennai: The fledgling Lok Paritran, a party floated by former IITians, has surprised many by making inroads into the vote share of established party candidates like Arcot Veerasamy (DMK) and S Ve Shekar (AIADMK).

Between them, the seven Paritran candidates, who contested from five constituencies in the city, one in Tiruvallur and another in Ramanathapuram district, cumulatively polled more than 34,000 votes.

Party leader Santhanagopal Vasudev, pitted against political heavyweights Shekar and DMK's Napolean in Mylapore garnered 10,000 votes.

Political analysts feel Vasudev played a significant role in weaning away a chunk of Napolean's vote share in this constituency, which could have led to his defeat.

Rajamani, another Lok Paritran candidate fielded in Anna Nagar, polled 12,000 votes contesting against stalwarts like Veerasamy and the powerful MDMK, a party spokesman said.

Another party candidate Elanthirumaran mustered 669 votes contesting against DMK Supremo M Karunanidhi from Chepauk and finished fifth among 20 candidates in the fray.

The Lok Paritran, contesting elections for the very first time, was formed a mere two months ago.

While established parties competed with each other in promising freebies to voters, the Paritran said it stood for good governance, transparency, accessibility, freedom from corruption and proper implementation. "Short term promises are a strict no" was the party's refrain.

Some hope at the end of the tunnel? Maybe. These, by any standards are not small numbers, that too in a state dominated (like most other Indian states are) by caste politics and other stupid issues. This is a good beginning. It's well known that the populace in the age of 18-30 is significant in the country. If that segment can shed their laziness, complacency, illiteracy and other biases and vote for the party that promises to build India's future, we might well have glorious days ahead. Jai Hind.