Fault Modelling

The extreme difficulty of obtaining solutions by conventional mathematical analysis has led in the past to the use of highly unrealistic models simply because they led to equations that could be solved. In fact, the applied mathematician has been engaged in a continual tussle with his conscience to decide how far he could go in the direction of distorting his model in order to make the equations tractable. The point is well made in the ancient jest about the examination question that began 'An elephant whose mass can be neglected.....'

 - M.V. Wilkes

The Ascent of Money

Money does not make the world go round, it makes staggering quantities of people, goods and services go round the world

The Ascent of Money

I have recently started reading the book "The Ascent of Money" by Niall Ferguson. This book carries a lot of insight into the economic history and evolution of the world to the present day financial markets. Needless to say, it conveys a lot of information about human behaviour regarding money since times ancient. I will be sharing some of the interesting quotes I come across in this book on my blog.
The first one to go is

When human beings first began to keep written records of their activities, they did so not to write history, poetry or philosophy, but to do business and keep accounts
 - Niall Ferguson 

Quote

Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit at home and think about it. Go out and get busy

 - Dale Carnegie 

Right to Education in India

Recently the Supreme Court of India upheld the Right to Education act's requirement that all private schools reserve free seats for students from the neighbourhood who cannot afford to pay tuition fees. The middle class which proudly calls itself the face of the nation disliked the idea of having their kids share social space with poor kids. After living in an egalitarian society for three quarters of a year I cannot help but  feel ashamed of the actions of the middle class. Surprisingly these actions come from people who, while growing up have been taught the notion of equality of class and creed.

My despair is shared by Mihir Sharma in this article. You can clearly see the evidence of his frustration when he uses the choicest of words to rebuke and  criticise the middle class. He goes on to call India the most elitist, unequal, exclusive and stratified country in the world. He may be right given his observations and experiences and on some terms, I agree with him.
In one of his best lines in the article, he says, "The Indian elite confuses its tiny, mediocre incestuous world of networks and inherited advantage with true merit, the one that comes from striving upwards when the circumstances are unfavourable". I truly appreciate the sentiments behind his scathing attack on the Indian middle class.
More such attacks will be needed to truly imbibe in the new generation of Indians, the values of social equality. De-fragmentation of the society is essential before the divide breaks our society into two irreconcilable halves.
When we switched to a free market economy in 1991, we still decided to retain the word 'socialist' in the preamble to  the constitution and maintained that India still was a SOVEREIGN, SOCIALIST, SECULAR, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC, the word SOCIALIST standing for equality of status and opportunity.
I hope we as a country realise the importance of an undivided meritocratic society soon.

The gem of a person that Rahul Dravid is

In an interview to Ed Smith, Rahul Dravid said that as a schoolboy, he remembered many kids who had at least as much desire if not more to play professional cricket as he did - they attended every camp and net session, no matter the cost or difficulty of getting there. But you could tell - from just one ball bowled or shot played - that they simply did not have the talent to make it. He knew he was different. "I was given talent to play cricket", Dravid explained. "I do not know why I was given it. But I was. I owe it to all those who wish it would have been them to give of my best, every day".

Sir, you will be missed. 

Of text-books, about which we hear so much, I never felt the want. I do not even remember having made much use of the books that were available. I did not find it all necessary to load the boys with quantities of books. I have always felt that the true text-book for the pupil is his teacher. I remember very little that my teachers taught me from books, but I have even now a clear recollection of the things they taught me independently of books.

 - Mahatma Gandhi 

On Gandhi and Godse

I don't refute Gandhi's theory of non-violence. He may be a saint but he is not a politician. His theory of non-violence denies self-defence and self-interest. The non-violence that defines the fight for survival as violence is a theory not of non-violence but of self-destruction.The division of the nation was an unnecessary decision. What was the percentage of the Muslim population as compared to the population of the nation? There was no need for a separate nation. Had it been a just demand, Maulana Azad would not have stayed back in India. But because Jinnah insisted and because Gandhi took his side, India was divided, in spite of opposition from the nation, the Cabinet. An individual is never greater than a nation.

In a democracy you cannot put forward your demands at knife-point. Jinnah did it and Gandhi stabbed the nation with the same knife. He dissected the land and gave a piece to Pakistan. We did picket that time but in vain. The Father of our Nation went to perform his paternal duties for Pakistan! Gandhi blackmailed the cabinet with his fast unto death. His body, his threats to die are causing the destruction — geographical as well as economical — of the nation. Today, Muslims have taken a part of the nation, tomorrow Sikhs may ask for Punjab. The religions are again dividend into castes, they will demand sub-divisions of the divisions. What remains of the concept of one nation, national integration? Why did we fight the British in unison for independence? Why not separately? Bhagat Singh did not ask only for an independent Punjab or Subhash Chandra Bose for an independent Bengal?

- Nathuram Godse in his final editorial

Success

To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.

This is to have succeeded.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Of course, success is a moving target...!

http://www.mybitforchange.org/2011/selective-islam/

Article by former Pakistani cricketer and now politician Imran Khan.

Definitely worth a read 

Quarter Life

This sounds like a Chuck Lorre production but actually I found it over the internet. And of course, this is my first blog post from Dutch country.

‎23-25 is not a nice age for a man. Your ex-gfs are getting married, your career has just started.
Elders treat you as unproven theorems, college guys feel that you are too old to have in there group.
You seem to enjoy both cartoon and news. You can no longer eat whatever you wish without putting on weight.
You look like an ape if you don’t shave daily. You are not invited for weekend cricket matches.
Every Aunt you meet asks about your marriage plans (or lack of them) and Uncle asks about future career choices.
When the reality is that you are just riding the wave and going with the flow.
You have all the confidence in the world but little achievements to show.
You already have the first hand experience of the life, You know that whatever you have been taught about the world in schools has been sheer waste of time.
You can be denied a job even after passing the test and you could be given a job if you know someone placed high enough.
Politics till now was a dirty word but now you feel it everywhere.
You know now love is not that blind and that friendship has its terms and conditions.
You know there is nothing for granted and free lunches are not free.
Your overconfidence is now making way for a humble conscience.

You now know it is not exactly what we thought it would be.

Day 19

Well India seems to have an interest in making all matches as entertaining as possible. Otherwise no other explanations seems to fit for why India is letting minnows believe that they have a chance.
Holland began cautiously but in the end their middle order struggled to continue the good work. I expected them to work their way up to 250 given their steady start but they folded for a paltry 189.
India too started as though they were in mood for early dinner but had to put their plans on hold because of some great bowling by Seelar.
Lastly Yuvraj Singh was pathetic - I am sure he must have said sometimes that he plays for the team and blah blah, it is at such occasions that one realises how hollow these statements were. Dhoni should have known better and finished the match as early as possible.

Lankans play the Zimbabweans in what should be a cakewalk for the Lankans on the picturesque ground of Pallekele. Best of luck to Zimbabwe though - they are going to need it.

Day 18

What an innings by Taylor! Single handedly demoralized the Pakistani batting line up and won the game at half time. The commentary team rightly called him the 'Plunderer of Pallekele'. 114 of 6 is something you rarely get to see even in T20. Most memorable was Shoaib Akhtar's ninth over - 28 runs! Murder.

We play the Dutch tomorrow at Ferozeshah Kotla where the curator messed up big time and produced a slow and low wicket after renovation - this bothers me as the Wankhede which is scheduled to hoist the finals was recently renovated - dont know if the curators have preserved the track of relaid it.

Anyways this may be the most boring match of all.

Cheers

Day 17

Was not even a bit interested in today's match. However pleased to know the result that Canada won comfortably and managed to avoid the wooden spoon. After all they are the fifth home team here. Signal for Kenya to improve their cricket administration. (In that area the Canadians are no better either - they stuff their side with Asian expats and an ageing Australian).

Pakistan play the Kiwis tomorrow. Going by the past form of the Kiwis, I dont give them a chance against the in form Pakistanis (wonder how they will handle Shahid Afridi's variations on a spinning track). But Pakistan are known to do the unexpected and we may have a game out of this one (also interesting to see how the Pakistani batsmen fare against Vettori)

Cheers

Day 16

Well Ireland did not come up with an encore performance in batting but were about the pull the match by some tight bowling. But thanks to Yuvraj (all though he ran Kohli out) we did not take away the choker's tag from South Africa. This team unfailingly comes up with stupid performances and loses matches from where even a club side would win convincingly. Maybe some things are written in destiny and one cannot change them no matter what. If they do not make it to the last 2 or maybe 4 of this world cup, I will feel sad for Jacques Kallis.

Kenyans are playing the Canadians tomorrow and both teams will make desperate bids to avoid the wooden spoon! Least interested.

Day 15

Well cannot write much about today as the match was washed out because of rain. But can definitely say something about tomorrow's matches.

In an all important match, the English play the South Africans - always an exciting match. Hope to see scores will in excess of 300.

India vs Ireland takes place in the magical Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore. Team batting second always seems to make a mockery of daunting totals here and thus India must look to play it safe with opting to bowl first. But in all I am not too worried about India's performance in tomorrow's match. Wish them best of luck!

Day 14

The most disappointing day of the world cup! Pathetic display by Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. At least Zimbabweans reached double figures. Windies have shown that they are as strong contenders for the WC as are India ans South Africa.

Personally I expected Zimbabwe to show some aggressive cricket against the Kiwis given how the Kiwis had struggled against spin attack in India. Well maybe the ICC's decision to keep the associates out of the WC in the 50 over game is justified after all.

Well in a repeat of the 2007 finale, Sri Lanka play Australia and I am hoping that this game will be a display of fireworks from both the sides.

Good Night

Day 13

After those kind of innings by Amla and De Villers there was no way the Dutch were going to win this. I expected them to give a fight, try to pull an Ireland here but they failed miserably and it is painful when they fail at doing that.

Pakistan must thank the gods for the stupid and inexperienced batting of the Canadians for a Pakistani loss here would have meant that the match fixing ghosts would have come back to haunt them. The Canadians did all the hard work and restricted Pakistan for a paltry 184 only to fall out at 138 themselves. Such a pity! And Shahid Afridi is the man on fire and may very well be Pakistan's trump card this world cup.

We have 2 interesting matches tomorrow which I expect to be full of entertainment. Kiwis play the Zimbabweans and the West Indians play the Bangladeshis. Catch you tomorrow!

Day 12

What a match! Ireland did not look minnows at all and a person with no prior knowledge of the standings of the respective teams could have easily mistaken Ireland for a seasoned ODI side. Guess the time is ripe to grant them a Test status.
We were watching the match in our room and almost gave Kevin O'Brien a standing ovation. After watching England post a mammoth total, I did not have the slightest expectation that the Irish will pull this off. But pull off they did and that too with style. It was a wonderful sight watching O'Brien rip through the English attack like an untethered elephant running amok a helpless crowd.
Pakistan play Canada tomorrow and I am hoping that the Canadians save some pride. (Sincerely wish  that John Davison stops looking like a fool and comes to the party started by Sehwag and carried forward by the likes of Tendulkar, Strauss and O'Brien).
And the Dutch will do some fighting against the Proteas but then again, no big expectations. They just do not have the firepower to cause serious injury to a full member side. It was Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in 1999, Kenya in 2003 and now I hope this WC gives the Irish their due recognition and a Test status - which they fully deserve.

Day 11

Well this world cup the crowd as all been for revenge matches. Revenge for 1987, revenge for Lord's 2009 and so on. Even the Lankans were looking for revenge for 2003 against Kenya. The Lankans stroke upon the Kenyans with great vengeance and furious anger and dismissed them for a paltry 142 thanks to a hattrick by Malinga. (we have had 2 hattricks on 2 days, and remember that these are subcontinental pitches) Naturally they took it as a T20 game later on and chased it in some 18 overs.

The Irish play the Pommies tomorrow and I am expecting one cracker of a match.

Cheers!