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Don’t Hang on for Your Life—Just Spread it like an Orangutan

Spreading Legs | Delhi Metro Travelling
You must be thinking I am asking you to do some yoga posture that requires you to really stretch yourself. Naah!! You couldn’t be more wrong. This is more of a handy tip to make yourself more comfortable when aboard the Delhi Metro.I have noticed that most Metro commuters really struggle to balance themselves. The smallest of jerks seems to throw them off their balance. I too faced something similar during my early days in the Delhi Metro. Every time, I didn’t have a firm grip on the support rods or the hanger-like danglers, I would fall upon a fellow passenger who would either frown with utter disgust or just smile, i.e. in the case of men. The few instances wherein I brushed against a lady, the expressions ranged from an “UFF” that would have done the Princess of Arabia proud to a lethal stare which suggested I had some seriously ulterior motives. At one point, I was seriously contemplating some exercises that could help to improve body balance with the goal of getting better stance during the Metro traveling hours.

Source: https://allabout-japan.com/en/article/2249/

Moving ahead, if you are serious about balancing yourself on the Metro, even without holding on to something—“just spread your legs” to the maximum. I realize this phrase has a somewhat twisted meaning for women, so am going to limit myself to guys only. I have a biggish frame and I am more than 6” tall. To get my balance right, I spread my legs beyond my shoulder width. The further you can spread, more immune you make yourself against being thrown ahead or backwards, every time the Metro jerks.I really don’t understand the Physics behind my tip but it does seem to work rather well.

Even if you find the Metro crowded, just ensure you slip your foot between that of others, twisting and turning it like a snake, unless you feel that stretching any further could compromise the health of your groin or your manhood. It is not just Delhi and isn't just me who faces the issue. Ask daily commuters in Japan, being served by an astronomically better public tube system, and you will realize how finding space in the most crowded trains is actually an acquired art - it does not come easy. You need to practice the trade. There are some very handy tips shared by Andrew Griffiths in this 2015 blog in the hyperlink that preceded this sentence - click and read about them if you are going to be Metro-traveling regularly.

There is a bit of Physics and Body Science involved here and people with rock climbing credentials might be more likely to get a better grip than you, and also fall over less often. From the one-finger hold to the shoulder-press gate phase, from tip-toeing like the late MJ to letting yourself being taken along in the river of humanity, there are so many tricks to travel better in crowded trains that you cannot read about and imbibe - you have to pay the dues, suffer and get better at this!

The Great Leveler, Humbled by the Metro & Work-life

Image of Delhi Metro Culture Travelling to Office
I don’t ride the high horse of belonging to a niche section of the society that cannot bear a single drop of sweat on their mighty foreheads However, my childhood unfolded in a manner that could be best described as ‘arrested development’ despite growing a typically middle-class environment. As a result, many hesitations about people, places, and being in the outdoors got imprinted on my psyche. I am no Different—though I hold the bare minimum of typecasts that overwhelm many of us, some have passively filtered into my mind and corroded its judgment. Like any other true Delhi resident, I too often bitch about the fact that how the out-of-stationers are overcrowding our city or how our tax money is being used for creating facilities that we seldom use ourselves. However, this discussion is more about how public transit systems can instill some humility in you and how being humble can help you live perhaps a better life... 

Getting Started

I intend to blog regularly, not daily, in an opinionated and not necessarily discriminatory way. The idea is not to ridicule the Metro or sing laurels about it but to put forth my perspective which could sound rude or helpful, depending on your perception.My views might strike a chord, pinch a nerve or induce the urge to banish me into Hell in you. However, the very concept of blogging and living in a Democracy offers me the right to be unashamedly-expressive. This basically absolves me if being here wastes your time or my efforts don’t live up to the standards set by your sensibilities….the onus of being here is on you—bother to read & comment or just browse aimlessly and proceed without a bother.

What made me start this blog?

For starters, I am a content writer and Expressionism is one of the few skills that I am endowed with. Thus, starting a blog needed little motivation. Secondly, despite being a dynamic, enthralling and challenging subject, it seems that the Delhi Metro has escaped the mind of contemporary writers/bloggers—the few that are in circulation seem occupied with offering tips about the various routes. Yes, these are also relevant from a writing perspective but I felt a general lack of the “Metro Culture” being written about.

More importantly, it has been nearly two months since I started riding the Delhi Metro regularly and writing about it could no longer be procrastinated. My soul is burdened by the restrictive expressionism that any professional role demands. I seek refuge in this blog to ensure that I am not alienated from the niche of thinkers and expressionists.

Who am I? (This part is mentioned in my Blogger profile: About Me)

Restarted blogging in the earliest part of 2018 - trying my best to post regularly - this is not a New Year resolution or wish but I want to blog spontaneously, without a reason, write without a rationale, just share what happened during the day, how am feeling...:)

February 16th: Soon I would be hitting the 100-posting benchmark that is something for me because this required a bit of hard work and staying consistent, knowing that this is more about pursuing my passion and staying true to the art of weaving conversations digitally. There are no Ads you can spot now as the idea was never to make a few cents. This has always been about blogging about the daily life, even at my work-desk, as there are days when the momentum is low, when other managers are busy smoking or having endless cups of coffee and conversations - I would rather do this!

Right now, my approach is - Blog when:
- you are feeling low
- when you have some time
- when you feel anxiety building-up
- when you want to vent
- when you want to try new expressions and explore new words
- when you want to do something for yourself
- when you want to express an opinion without caring about being heard
- when there is no inspiration to write

Updated on February 17, 2018: Just reached a semi-milestone of 100 posts. A reasonably good going considering I was very wayward to start with, the blog being launched in 2012. Took me more than 5 years to come back to something that is aligned with my passion. Will be more regular now...promise!

Peter Forest: Like a Right-Handed Hayden

He is the only guy in the ongoing tri-series between India, Australia and Sri Lanka who has scored a century and he looks good to do it again. The new middle-order batsman from Australia, Peter Forest, has all the makings of a good player for Australia. For starters, unlike Andrew Symonds who might seem a bit puny against the massive shoulders of Peter Forest, this guy can actually build an innings. Symonds discovered the art of constructing his innings much later in his career whereas Peter Forest seems to be doing that since the day he made his debut. In his mannerisms, his power and the way he plays the airy shorts, 
Peter Forest reminds me a bit about Matthew Hayden though Big Matt was on opener. With Ponting having retired from the Aussie ODI team, it wouldn't be a bad idea to make Peter Forest the number three batsman for at least one season. He seems to have the technique, temperament and the shots that are required to play on different surfaces. Further, his hundred isn't something to be taken lightly considering that none of the batsmen with big reputations have actually scored a century so far. Further, Peter Forest seemed at absolute ease as he scored his first ODI century, as if he had done this a million times before. 

Pattinson: another one in the Dale Steyn mode?

The first time I saw him bowl reminded my instantly of the South African, Dale Steyn and after having watched his many good spells of bowling during the first test match between India and Australia, I am pretty sure that my comparison theory is quite correct. Both these bowlers are tall, well-built, though Pattinson looks like he has definitely spent more hours in the gym and believe in pitching the ball in the off-stump zone. Steyn is probably the one bowler who continued from where Glenn McGrath, i.e. I am referring to the nuances of bowling line and length without compromising on pace. Pattinson has a similar approach and just like the South African spearhead , he is not shy of pitching up the bowl. Yes, he can bowl short too but he prefers to hit the line & length that the best of batsmen struggle against.
Probably, this is why despite being the most inexperienced bowler in the Boxing Day test match of December 2011, he was probably the best. I don't feel shy of saying that Pattinson is probably a deal as real and dependable as Dale Steyn and Cummins, the other young Aussie bowler who has been engaging a lot of attention, would need to work harder since he seems more like all speed that can sometimes be exhausted when the batsmen are in murderous mood and among sub-continental pitches.

Day 2: India vs Australia 2011: Bumpy Sehewag Gives India a Smooth Start

The first instance of it immediately raked up images from the controversial India Australia test series of 2007. I am talking about Sehewag bumping into Pattinson, the young Aussie bowler, and Sehewag verbally and animatedly asking Pattinson to mind himself, raising his bat in the air. However, soon things became calmer when Gautam Gambhir played what can be best described as a horrible, unnecessary poke outside his off-stump to give Australia their first breakthrough. However, at this moment, Dravid has joined forces with Sehewag who seems to be continuing from his 190+ score at this same venue a few years ago. Yes, he had his usual share of almost-out instance, but most Sehewag followers have now become accustomed to it.
A Sehewag innings without some anxiety and panic attacks among the Indian fans just wouldn't have its natural flavor. The second bump from Sehewag was a bit harder but didn't flare the tempers in either camp when he accidentally bumped into Peter Siddle. Sehewag apologized immediately and Siddle just seemed too busy thinking about his next delivery to exchange any verbal volleys. Sehewag is nearing another test half century as I write this, and hopefully, he can convert into another test ton. As long as he is at the crease, things seem a bit undemanding for the Indian batsmen. His daredevil method of batting seems to have rubbed on Rahul Dravid too who is batting with much more freedom than what we usually witness during the early part of his test match batting.  

2011-12: India versus Australia Test Series: Looking Beyond the Obvious

Yes, a lot has already been written about what is going to happen when MSD and his team try to win the Kangaroo Land of cricket. However, it seems that everyone is obsessed with just one thing, i.e. the kind and the number of injuries that are happening. I would like to state that no cricketing nation or for that matter, no sporting nation can put up excuses like retirement of star players or the absence of key players due to injuries. This applies to the cricketing world too. So why is so much being made out of Australia being on a re-building spree and their main players being injured. A defeat is a defeat no matter in which manner and under what circumstances it is achieved.
People tend to remember the scorecards after a few weeks and not things about a nation's cricketing talent, its pool of talent or pedigree. I would further like to state that this is essentially going to be a game of average bowlers against some very good batsmen. Don't forget, Clarke and Ponting are alone to ensure that Australia can pile up about 500+ runs in every innings. So all the noise about the absence of established openers in the Aussie team and the call back for Simon Katisch just doesn't make sense. What matters is the best use both teams can get out of their present resources and that is what they should be reflecting upon rather than talking about injuries, reputations and rankings.

Ajmal Versus Swann: the Best ODI Bowler Debate

Call it the old Pakistani habit of biting more than what one can eat, Saeed Ajmal, the supposed best Pakistani bowler in the ODI format at the moment has gone on to verbally challenge the ace English off spin bowler, saying that he is on the verge of replacing the English spinning revelation in the forthcoming season. While some purists might say that a bit of tussle for the top spinner's slot, particularly in the ODI format, might be good since the spinners have been reduced to fill-up bowlers in a game that has become unreasonably inclined towards the batsmen. However, it should also be seen as an act of desperation by Saeed Ajmal since he has simply failed to get the attention of the global cricketing fraternity though it should be said that Ajmal is quite a good bowler in his own respect but fails to impress as much as the guile induced by Swann. Some experts would say that saying such things were a bit uncalled for by Ajmal but then again, apart from engaging the attention of the cricketing media through such measures, Ajmal stands little chance of adding to his reputation in world cricket which is also partially because of increasing depreciation with which performances of the Pakistani cricket team is looked upon. 
MY VERDICT? I seriously doubt that Ajmal has what it will take to displace Swann from his pedestal. He just isn't as tricky and cannot float the ball in the air like Swann does.

Injuries or Not: You Cannot Put-up Excuses for Being White-washed!!

Okay, so the Indian team is lacking seven or eight of its most key players. Agreed that finding equally good replacements so quickly is not easy. Yes, fielding even eleven fit players is a major headache for Indian team in England at the moment so talking about winning or losing seems secondary...right? Absolutely Not!! For starters,  an international cricket team that is literally swimming in money cannot put up such school kid kind of excuses. Did these cricketers complain or back-out when they were being asked to play cricket beyond their body's tolerance levels? Did they do anything to suggest that they were being overworked besides losing one match after the other? If not, then these players have absolutely no right to criticize the way the games are being managed or the way in which the Indian cricket team's itinerary is planned. If the Board is indecisive and
weak in its management skills or is simply a bit too greedy to ensure the fitness and overall well-being of the players, can't the six, most senior players in the team approach the Board on behalf of the entire Indian Cricket Team and brief them about their demanding schedules and how it is wrecking their bodies? This post might seem to present a lot of questions rather than expressing opinions but the fact is that such shoddy performance and being white-washed 4-0 by England and now, seemingly also in the one day series, is just not acceptable no matter what is happening among the cricket board of India or the players: they are both responsible to answer the followers of the game. 

Rahane: One Good Thing For India on England Tour 2011

In all fairness the India tour of England 2011 is nothing short of a complete disaster. The main players have struggled as wells as the youngsters and every time the opportunity came for the big names to deliver, expectations were nipped in the bud by carelessness. Yes, reasons such as excessive cricket and tiredness have been floating around with the skipper, MS Dhoni, himself expressing views that seem to underline the demanding schedule that this Indian team has. However, one question remains to be answered: would the same questions be raised had the Indian team won or at least, drawn the test series against England and still retained their number one spot in ICC test rankings 2011?


Most probably not and this is exactly what I want to put forth-the Indian cricket board and Dhoni too seem to offer the seemingly rightful explanations only when a problem arises. What happened to sticking to the same logic even if the team is managing to win?

Usually, honesty does not seem to be most people's cup of tea as long as the going is less than tough. Coming back to the debacle of the Indian team touring England, one small speck of brightness has come forward in the form of Rahane. This man has shown the temperament, class and to some extent, the technique as well, at least in the two games he has played so far on the England Tour 2011.

Firstly, he is not apprehensive about the short ball and secondly, his ability to play well against pace and seam along with his stance, make him a more than useful opener. Rahane seems to be manufactured for the opening slot, as if he has emerged from a cricket academy's blueprint for the opening batsmen. How far will he go, how many runs he can score and whether he can help India win the 2011 ODI series against England remain to be seen but in Rahane, the Indian team has found one small, but significant, reason to smile.