A night at US Open Tennis Championships

We were scheduled to visit Flushing Meadows at New York on the night of 1st September 2011. When the tickets were booked four months ago, we had no idea as to which matches we were privileged to watch. In fact on Sunday, 28th august, Hurricane Irene visited the east coast and there was no guarantee that we would be watching some match there. Thanks to the hard work of the Officials and volunteers, the tournament started on schedule and we could see the matches. And to our good luck we could see the two top most players, World No. 1 and Seed Nos. 1, Novak Jokovic and Caroline Wozniacki ! 

Everyone knows that US Open Tennis Championships is one of the majors and along with the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon, forms the Grand Slam events. US open is the fourth and final tournament of the year and is played a week before and after the Labour Day weekend. Labour Day is always observed on the First Monday of September, irrespective of the date and is a Federal Holiday to celebrate the economic and social contribution of the workers. This makes for three continuous holidays and such week ends are known as long week ends. The championships are played in three categories - Men's and Women's singles, Men's and Women's doubles and Mixed doubles. There are also three further categories - Seniors, Juniors and Wheel Chair players.

The four major tournaments are played over three different surfaces - French open on Clay, Wimbledon on Grass, Australian and US Open on Hard Courts. US Open is played on Acrylic hard courts and the playing area is Blue in colour with the other area in the court in green colour. This is said to provide better view to the spectators and viewers of TV coverage.  All the courts are lighted but uncovered. Therefore rain interruptions are possible, but the excellent facilities available for mopping and drying of the courts after rain stops helps in quick resumption of matches. Covering the main stadium  is not being considered by the management due to prohibitive cost. The US TA has a policy of compensating ticket holders for cancellation of sessions due to rains. The ticket holders can obtain tickets for further matches, if available, or can obtain tickets for the same sessions next year !

US Open Tennis championships was not always played in New York. It originally started in 1881 in New Port Casino, New Port, Rhode Island. In 1915 it moved to Forest Hills, New York and for three years  (1921-23) it was played in Philadelphia. New York again became the venue since 1924 and was played at Forest Hills till 1977.  The games moved to Flushing Meadows in Corona Park, Queens, New York in 1978. The playing surface also changed from time to time. It was played on outdoor grass courts from 1881 to 1974, Outdoor clay courts in 1975 to 1977 and Acrylic hard courts since 1978.

The place in Flushing Meadows was called US TA National Tennis Centre since 1978. It was renamed as US TA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre since 2006 in honour of Mrs. Billie Jean King who won an astounding 39 major titles ( 12 singles, 16 doubles and 11 mixed doubles) in her illustrious career. She is well known for her "Battle of sexes" match of 1973 in which she defeated Bobby Riggs in 1973. Bobby Riggs, a former Wimbledon (1939) and US Open (1939 to 1941) Champion had challenged any woman player to beat him in a show match. Billie Jean King accepted the challenge, played the match and defeated him and pocketed the prize money of USD 100,000 !

The present arena at Flushing Meadows comprises of 20 courts; courts 1 to 17, The Grand Stand, Louis Armstrong Stadium and Arthur Ashe Stadium. Courts 1 to 17 are small courts. Grand Stand can seat 6,000 people. Louis Armstrong Stadium, named after the famous African-American Jazz musician who lived nearby when the arena was opened in 1968 (he died in 1971), had a capacity of 18,000 till 1997. It was the main stand up to 1997 and it's capacity was reduced to 10,200 after the construction of the main stadium in 1997. The main stadium is named after the famous American Tennis player and US Open champion of the inaugural season of Open era in 1968, Arthur Ashe. This stadium can seat 22,500 people and is now the main stadium. This is the biggest stadium among the four stadia for Tennis Majors with capacity of other main stadia for such events being Wimbledon Centre court (15,000) Roland Garros for French Open (14,840) and Rod Laver Arena for Australian Open (14,820). We were privileged to see World No. 1 players among both Men and Women playing in this stadium.

The system of ticket issue at US Open is also interesting. Tickets are issued for Day sessions and Night  sessions separately. Day sessions begin at 11 AM and go on till 6 PM. Evening sessions start at 7 PM and go past midnight. Some tickets are reserved for the members of the US Lawn Tennis Association. Members of this organisation can take part in local tournaments and get priority tickets for the US Open matches. A person with day ticket or night ticket can see any number of matches during the period and there is no restriction. Senior and Seeded players generally get to play at one of the three major stadia and top players usually are scheduled to play at either Arthur Ashe stadium or Louis Armstrong stadium. Our host being a member of the USLTA had secured tickets for the evening session of 1st September. We were informed that the day session is very hot for comfort as all the stadiums are uncovered. In fact, Rafael Nadal fell down during that week's press Conference due to exhaustion and some other players retired due to dehydration. Even during the Semi final and Final matches there were instances of spectators fainting due to excess heat !

One wonderful thing in the US is the availability of secondary market for tickets of Tennis, Baseball or Football games. A holder of ticket will be able to legally sell the ticket and there are dedicated websites like stubhub.com for such sales. The only restriction is that the tickets can not be sold in the vicinity of the stadium area. Thus, tickets are not wasted if the holder is not able to watch a particular game and another person prepared to pay a premium (or discount in rare events) can buy the ticket and watch the game.

Another  interesting fact is that US Open is the only major tennis tournament where tie-break is enforced even in the final set ie. fifth set in Men's match and 3rd set in Women's match. In the other three major tournaments, tie-break is not enforced in the last set. Three Player challenge calls are permitted in each set of the match as in the case of other majors.

It was nearly three hour drive for us to reach the US TA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre at Flushing Meadows in Queens, New York. There was heavy traffic with roads clogged due to cars going in the direction of the venue. Flashers positioned in the roadside showed that delays were expected due to heavy traffic and advised taking public transport to reach quickly. Our host drove us through the New Jersey Turnpike, then along Route 440 and after Outerbridge crossing into Staten island.  I asked whether there is an inner bridge as well and then came to know that Outerbridge is so called because it is named after Engenius H Outerbridge, the first Chairman of New York and New Jersey Port Authority. Then we moved further and reached the Flushing Meadows after passing the LaGuardia airport on the left. Frequent movement of aircraft over the Arthur Ashe stadium can be seen due to the proximity of the LaGuardia airport. Walking through the Parking lot in the middle of tailgating groups itself was an experience. There was two way stream of spectators across the Flushing Meadows Railway station - those exiting the arena after day session and those going into the area for night session.

Once inside the centre, the first outlet we saw in the food court was one by name "DELHI". We got excellent Nans and Chana Masala with Alu Gobi. After a hurried supper at 6.30 PM we saw one match in a side court for a few minutes and enjoyed the outer atmosphere of the Centre. The walking space between the courts/stadia is lined with display of photographs of past champions. We later went into the Arthur Ashe Stadium and took our seats just before No. 1 seed Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark and Arantxa Ruz of Netherlands entered the court. We could see yesteryear's tennis Queen Chris Evert in the commentators' box across us. The match itself was one sided and Wozniaki won 6-2, 6-0.

After this match World No.1 men's player Novak Djokovic  of Serbia and Carlos Berloog of Argentina entered the stadium. We could feel the imposing presence of Djokovic. Chris Evert had made way for John McEnroe in the commentator's box. This match was also one sided and Djocovic won in straight sets 6-0, 6-0 and 6-2. The whole stadium erupted in joy when Carlos won his two games as if he has won the match itself ! we thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere of revelry and music in between games and matches. Usual quota of french fries and drinks could not be forgotten. Beer lovers did not complain for paying 9 dollars for a mug of beer which would cost one dollar when purchased outside. The atmosphere is to be actually felt to be believed. The matches concluded around 11 PM. Though rain threat was there we were spared of any interruptions and could enjoy our day at Flushing Meadows.

We spent some time in the Gift shop and purchased some souvenirs. It was well past 2 AM when we crossed New York via George Washington Bridge and checked in to our Hotel in New Jersey.

The wonderful experience of the US Open Tennis matches will linger in our minds for a long time.

.................................P Keshava Murthy

Was he a Failure?

What is success?  What is considered failure? Who is to measure it? How it should be measured?  When do we say someone has done justice to his talent? 

There is an interesting instance of a cricketer. This is all the more interesting in an era when the Pathan Brothers are sold or bought for an aggregate of USD 4 million for IPL.

A player was chosen to represent his country in Test Cricket. Against severe competition. He was already married by that time. His wife came to the stadium to see her husband make his debut for their country. She brought along with her, her knitting sticks and wool. A new sweater for their soon to be born baby. Naturally.

She was eagerly waiting for her husband to come to bat. His chance did come. He walked to the middle of the pitch. He took leg stump guard. She waited with bated breath. The moment he and she had waited for long had indeed arrived. The bowler started running towards the batsman to deliver the ball. Right arm Fast medium.

In the excitement, she dropped the ball of wool in her hand. She bent to pick it up.

That was it. She never saw her husband bat. By the time she picked up the ball of wool, the leather ball was delivered and her husband was out first ball. He was never selected for his country's team again. He bowled only one over and gave away nine runs. No wicket.

This not a imaginary story. It is the true story of Dr. Roy Lindsey Parks who played his only Test Match for Australia against England in 1920-21. Even his wife dropping the wool and missing his one ball innings!

Dr Roy Lindsey Park lived for only 54 years. Born in 1892, he started his career as a Australian football player. He played his football (a game different from the traditional football which is played between two teams of 22 players) and Cricket for Melbourne and Victoria, Australia. In 44 football matches for his University, he scored 111 goals and in 13 games for Victoria he scored 35 goals. He was the leading goal kicker for his team for three concecutive years in1912 to 1914. He became a victim of an allegation of kicking an opponent player and was suspended for four matches. Despite repeated assertions of three other players that he had not kicked the other player, he was suspended for four matches. Pained by the suspension, he gave up playing Australian Foot Ball and took up Cricket. He excelled in Cricket also. He was studying for his Degree in Medicine at that time and on becoming a Doctor he joined the Australian Imperial Force during World War I in 1917. He was sent to England during the war and served with distinction. His service in the armed forces was commended by mention in the London Gazette as well as Commonwealth of Australia Gazette.  After returning from England at the conclusion of World War I in 1919, he resumed playing cricket and was selected to play for Australia in 1920. Being a Doctor, he was called upon to attend a patient on the previous night and did not have sufficient sleep when he came to bat the next day. It is to be remembered that until 1960s or even 1970s, Cricket players were busy with their own careers as professionals or serving as employees and they were not pampered as professional players like today.  His cricket career lasted only one test match. In first Class Cricket, however, he made 2514 runs including 9 centuries with an average of 40 in the days of uncovered pitches.

Park's cricket connections did not end there. He kept in touch with the game and his daughter, Lal Park, married Ian Johnson who was a budding cricketer. After the daughter's marriage to Ian Johnson in 1942, Roy parks guided the cricket career of his son-in-law Ian Johnson who made it to the Australian Test team in 1946 and played for 10 years, till 1956, though his career was interrupted by World War II. During World War II Johnson served in the Royal Australian Air Force as a fighter pilot and flight instructor. He resumed playing cricket after the war and even became the captain of the Australian Cricket Team and led them in 17 tests with 5 wins. (He is more known as the only Captain to lose two Ashes Series, until Ricky Ponting overtook him). In a career spanning 45 matches Ian Johnson took 109 wickets and scored 1000 runs, which was considered as a DOUBLE in those days. He was a part of the Invincible Team of Don Bradman and on the recommendation of Bradman he was honoured with the title MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 1957, which was upgraded to OBE (Officer of the order of of the British Empire) in 1977 and then again to CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 1982. Something similar to Our Indian Government giving Padmashri, Padma Bushan and Padma Vibushan to the same person in three stages! Lal Park and Ian Johnson were happily married for 56 years! Ian Johnson served his country in many capacities including as a sports commentator and administrator and Social Worker.

Roy Park's Cricket Test record was dismal. He scored 0 in one match. Gave 9 runs in one over. He does not even have an average. Cricket Pundits may call him a total failure. But he led a very distinguished life. He was a patriot. He was a soldier. He was a Doctor. He was useful to his family. And to the society. He guided his son-in-law to greatness and distinction. For me, he was a much bigger success than many who have scored tons of runs for their own personal milestones.

...................P Keshava Murthy

 

Gangecha Yamunechaiva......

Gangecha Yamunechaiva..............

गन्गेच यमुनेचैव गोदवारि सरस्वती नर्मदे सिन्धु कावेरी जलेस्मिन् सन्निधिं कुरु ..................

Gangecha Yamunechaiva Godavari Saraswati Narmade Sindhu Kaveri jalesmin Sannidhim Kuru.......................

Water is life. Without water there is no life. For living beings water is next only to air. Air is available to us everywhere and hence taken for granted. We are not yer paying Rs.15 or One US Dollar per bottle or cylinder of air. Three dollars a bottle if you go to Flushing meadows stadium to see US Open tennis or Rs. 40 or 50 in Taj or Oberoi hotel. To that extent  water is foremost and hence Jala (Water) is also called Jeeva (Life). And rightly so. It is not just two atoms of Hydrogen and and one atom of Oxygen or the chemical formula H2O. A lot more for sure.

There can be "No Pooja". Or not performing pooja. But there is no performing pooja without water. It may be tap water or well water or even bottle water. But when it comes to pooja, irrespective of the source, it is taken in a vessel or pot or whatever. That becomes कलश (kalash) and the water becomes one procured from seven rivers when the above sloka is chanted.........Water from Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, (the now missing) Saraswati, Narmada, sindhu (even though in Pakistan now) and Kaveri come and give their holy waters in the kalash.........


On 31st August 2011  Gowri festival or Swarna Gowri Vrata was celebrated by us for the first time in USA. It is not Jamboo Dweepe, Bharata Varshe, Bharata Khande..... It is Koorma dweepe,  Amerika Khande! It is Nava yarka Nagare if it is New York. That is fine. What about water? Should it be again Gangecha Yamunechaiva? Should they travel across the Atlantic by changing flights in Frankfurt or London and come here? Or should it be Missouricha Missisippi.......?

Does it really matter? Any river is a holy river as rivers are the lifelines anywhere in the world. But for the river Kaaveri, parts of south India would have been Sahara desert. Hence Kaaveri Maata. In Tamilnadu, along the Erode, Tiruchi and Thanjavur belt, Kaveri river is also called Ponni, meaning the Golden River.  Hence the fine rice grown in the Kaveri Delta there is called Ponni rice. Anything good in the Ponni delta is attributed to Ponni water or Kaveri river. Like when the son gets a rank in an examination, it is because he has grown up by drinking Ponni water. If the daughter wins running race it is because of Ponni water. Same thing in Kodagu or Mercara. The soldier's heroic performance in the war is due to Kaveri Taayi. Height of reverence. So should be  Missisippi for America or Nile for Egypt. Or Volga for Russia.

Go to the banks of the mighty Ganges. Just say Ganga. You are most likely to be beaten up. She is not just Ganga. She is Ganga Mai or  Mother Ganga. No one says Ganga. It is either Ganga Mai or Ganga ji.   Ganga Mai ki Saugandh is the highest testification, like under oath in a court of law. Or even more than that. You do not lie in a court. May be some may perjure. But with Ganga mai? Never, never.

When I stood on the banks of the Missouri in Chamberlain, South Dakota or Mississippi's banks in St. Louis, the feeling was the same; as before Ganga ji in Rishikesh or Godavari in Nashik or Rajahmundry. Massive rivers supplying the water required for all animals and mankind. Though man is no longer kind and is showing all barbarata on these rivers. Gangaji in Varanasi is not the same as Gangaji in Rishikesh. Yamuna? Less said the better. One has to go to Yamunotri only to see the real Yamuna. Yamuna in Agra, behind the Taj Mahal, is a black filth. Puraanas say Yamuna is the sister of Yama or Yamadharma, the Lord of Death. During the Deepavali festival, next day after Bali padyami is called Yama Dwiteeya, the second day of the month of Kartika, Yama is supposed to come to Yamuna's house for Lunch. This is the day all sisters expect their brothers to come to their homes and eat the food cooked by them. The next day is called Soodari Tritiya, the day on which brothers give gifts to their sisters. For this year's Yama Dwiteeya, falling on 28th October 2011, when Yama comes for lunch, Yamuna has to bring water from the nearest shop as she cannot give her own river's water to drink. Ungiveable. Undrinkable. Uncookable.

Ganga's water was believed to be white and Yamuna's water believed to be black:

गन्गमंबु सितमम्बु यामुनं कज्जलाभमुभयत्र मज्जतः  raaजहंस तवचैव शुभ्रता चीयते न च नचापचीयते!

The poet tells the Raajahamsa or Swan (Obviously the White Swan and not the black one)  "Ganga's water is white, Yamuna's water is Black. O dear Swan, you bathe in both rivers. But your colour does not change and always remains White." This may not hold good today. A white Swan bathing in either Ganga or Yamuna may emerge as a Black Swan. Man is bent upon making Yamuna's water as well as Ganga's water deep dark. Missouri and Mississippi also have their share of pollution due to Agricultural and Industrial waste, but it is nowhere near what we have presented the Ganga and Yamuna.

I used to take the night trains to go to Chennai from Bangalore when I worked there for four years. Usually the Bangalore-Chennai Mail. Trains reach early morning between 4 AM and 5 AM. Not once I overslept. Nor any other passenger on the trains. As the Train entres the Basin Bridge Junction, one station before Chennai Central, everyone is up. The stench from the nearby river(?) will ensure it. A river called Cooum running alongside the railway track and entering the Bay of Bengal near Marina Beach, next to M A Chidambaram Cricket Stadium in Chepauk, Chennai. The word "Coovalan" in Tamil is said to mean one who is well versed in the science of ground water or well water! The documents available in the nearby temples say that a man gets salvation with one dip in the river Cooum. One hundred and fifty years ago a famous Tamil poet by name Bharatiyar (not Subrahmanya Bharati) travelled on this river by boat from its origin to the point at which the river merges with the Bay of Bengal on the Marina.  He has written a long and beautiful Lyrical Ballad in Tamil describing the beautiful river with the gardens, lands and flowers on its banks!

In March 2010, the then Deputy Chief Minister of Tamilnadu, Mr Stalin signed an MOU, in the presence of his father the then chief Minister Sri M Karunanidhi,  with an Indo-Singapore company by name Singapore Co-operation Enterprises to clean the Cooum river at a project cost of 2200 crore ruppees. Chennai Corporation started a cleaning drive in September 2010. Within the next six months DMK lost power after state elections and Mrs. Jayalalitha came to power. She has announced in March 2011 that the project will be scrapped. Sri Karunanidhi is busy with his daughter Kanhimouzhli bail to get her released from Tihar Jail in 2G case and cannot even protest. Even if he protests, there is no value. 

Why should we go to Chennai? We have our own Vrushabhavati. Come to Mysore Road in Bangalore.

I have seen shraddalu visitors to Agra going behind the Taj Mahal and reluctantly taking the Yamuna  water in their hands and sprinking on their heads in reverence.  अपवित्रः पवित्रोवा ! Of course, once they come out of water they do not forget to wash their hands with Bisleri water.

There is more to our rivers than just water. Feelings. Belief. Faith and our Identity. Can we preserve them? Then only Gangecha Yamunechaiva.     Otherwise it is Only Bisleri,  Evion and Dasani.

Your Grandfather will do it

There is a well known wall decor hanging which reads:   "Rule Number 1 : The Boss is always right.     Rule Number 2: When the Boss is wrong - Refer to Rule number 1".  But anybody who works and reports to a boss knows that the boss is many times wrong. Nobody likes to point out that to the boss. Either because of lack of courage or diplomacy. Such being the case, what happens when you tell the boss he is wrong when he may actually be right? Not a pleasant situation to be in, is n't it?  Yet some times one gets into such a tiff with the boss. One may even start an argument with the boss as well. And challenge him too. There is no worse position than to challenge the boss and being caught in a bind.

My father was referring to one such situation he faced in his lifetime and how he used his ingenuity to wriggle out of it.

My revered father Pattabhi Ramaiah was a Second World War Hero and joined the Indian Army in 1940, when he was 21 years old. He served in the Army for five years and sought discharge after the war was over. He was popular with the British officers (most of the officers were British at that time) as he was one of the Indians in the Army who could speak and write well in English. He went up to Rangoon in combat during the war and had  five war medals, two silver and three Bronze, in his collection and proudly used to show me while I was in School.

After getting discharged from the Army he joined Mysore State Government as a Teacher. He was working in Kanakapura area, near Bangalore. In those days an "Inspector of Schools" was the highest officer for all schools in the Taluk. For a revenue sub-division comprising three or four taluks, an Assistant Educational Officer (AEO) used to be the head. The District Educational Officer (DEO) was the highest officer for the district. Deputy Director of Public Instructions (DDPI), Joint Director of Public Instructions (JD) and Director of Public Instructions (Director) were the highest officers in the state. For Kanakapura Taluk, there was an Inspector and above him was an AEO in Ramanagaram. DEO and higher officers used to sit in New Public Offices Building in KR Circle, Bangalore. This Victorian period building can be seen even today, on the right of RBI Building on Nrupathunga Road.

The Inspector's office in Kanakapura was provided with only two assistants to cope up with all the work relating to the teachers of the taluk. Though Pattabhi Ramaiah was a teacher, he was assisting the Inspector's office in preparing bills and replying to correspondence when requested by the Inspectors. This was an informal arrangement and was going on with mutual consent. A new Inspector who took charge of the Taluk wanted to formalise this using his authority. Pattabhi Ramaiah did not like this and resisted it. Annoyed with this, the Inspector transferred him to a village eight miles away. There was no transport facility to this village and he was forced to go on bicycle every day to the school.

He went to the Inspector and requested him for a transfer back to the original place. The Inspector spoke to him harshly each time and told him that it was  his prerogative and he would not change the order, come what may. When this was repeated on the fourth occasion, Pattabhi Ramaiah lost his cool and told the Inspector " If you are not changing the order, your Grandfather will do it ".

The words came out of the mouth and did the damage. The inspector also shouted and questioned what he meant by invoking Grandfather's name. Pattabhi Rramaiah realised the folly, but did not want to yield ground. He justified by saying that for the Inspector his higher officer AEO was a father figure and the DEO in Bangalore was like a Grandfather. Since other people had entered the Inspector's cabin by that time, the matter ended there. Pattabhi Ramaiah knew that he had made a mistake and he had to somehow get out of it. He was waiting for an oppurtunity.

Sri H V Sriranga Raju was a highly respected officer in the Education department. He was the DDPI at that time and later on rose to the highest position of Director in Education Department. He had a tour of the district and came to Kanakapura on a Saturday to inspect the Inspector's office. He also wanted to address all the teachers of the taluk, for which advance intimation was sent to the teachers. On the day of the meeting all the teachers had assembled in the Government Middle School premises and were waiting for the senior officers to arrive at the venue. Sri Sriranga Raju walked into the school compound with the DEO, AEO and the Inspector. He was greeted by the teachers and he duly acknowledged the greetings. When he came to the group in which Pattabhi Ramaiah was sanding, he stopped for a minute and said "How are you Mr. Ramaiah?". He remembered the name because in a previous meeting Pattabhi Ramaiah had vociferously advocated reforms in the Education system to bring more children into schools as many families were not admitting their sons and daughters to schools in those days. Pattabhi Ramaiah immediately said " I am fine, Thank you Sir. I need two minutes of your time after the meeting to discuss an issue."  Sri Srirangaraju agreed and went inside the building followed by the senior officers and the teachers for the meeting.

In the middle of the meeting the peon came and told Pattabhi Ramaiah that the Inspector wanted see him outside the meeting hall. When he met the Inspector there, the Inspector asked him "What is the issue you want to discuss with Sahib?". Pattabhi Ramaiah told him that it will be told to the Sahib only. Inspector was in a quandary. He immediately told Pattabhi Ramaiah not to raise the issue of transfer with Sahib and he would do the needful on Monday morning itself.

Both went back to the meeting.  After the meeting, when the senior officers were leaving the hall Pattabhi Ramaiah went to the Sahib and told him "Sir, it is very late today. Next week I am coming to Bangalore on leave. I request permission to meet you in your chambers and present the issue." Sahib was also tired and immediately agreed to it. Ramaiah had kept another arrow ready in his quiver; of going to Bangalore if his work was not done on Monday.

Monday morning the transfer order was modified and Ramaiah was posted to another school in the town itself. He never went to Bangalore, but had a very comfortable tenure during the remaining part of the Inspector's regime.  

..................P Keshava Murthy


 

24 Hours with IRENE

We were away at Ottawa, Canada during August 2011. When the tickets were booked for the Philadelphia-Ottawa trip we had no idea that we have a tryst with Hurricane Irene. It so happened that our return journey from Ottawa was on a US Airways flight leaving Ottawa at 3.50 PM on Friday, 26th August 2011 and arriving at Philadelphia at 5.10 PM. Our flight was on time, but the airline had issued travel advisory that travel further from Philadelphia may be subject to cancellation of flights due to arrival of Hurricane Irene. The next flight to Philadelphia from Ottawa scheduled for 6.30 PM was cancelled before we boarded our flight.

On our arrival in Philadelphia we realised that over 900 flights were likely to be cancelled for the next two days. All airports around New York, Philadelphia and nearby areas were ordered to be closed. Our drive home from the Philadelphia airport was through thick traffic and the 20 mile journey took over two hours as all roads were choked with traffic. This would not be a surprise in Bangalore, however. Evacuation from low lying areas of Atlantic coast was in progress. Cities like Atlantic City and other beach cities were totally shut. We indeed had a date with IRENE.

Why was she Irene only and not of some other name? In the Atlantic Ocean, tropical storms that reach a sustained wind speed of 39 miles per hour are given a name, alternately name of a man and a woman. If the storm reaches a sustained wind speed of 74 miles per hour it is called a hurricane. So, hurricanes are not given names, tropical storms are given names, and they retain their name if they develop into a hurricane. The previous one was named as "Harvey" and after Irene we have "Jose". It somehow has happened that the girl name storms/hurricanes have been more dangerous and devastating. "Hell has no fury like a woman scorned" said William Congreve, in his "Mourning Bride" as early as in 1697! (The correct lines actually are - "The Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned"). There is a list of 21 names for tropical storms each year and kept ready for six years after which the names are repeated. If all the 21 names in a year are used up, Greek alphabets like Alfa, Beta etc. are used till the end of the year, after which the regular names from the list are used. If a storm/hurricane causes extensive damage like Katrina in 2008, the name is deleted from the list. For these reasons she had to be "IRENE" only and no one else.

Saturday, 27th August morning Irene had arrived in South Carolina after battering The Bahamas. Our time slot to face the fury was from 12 Noon on Saturday to 12 Noon on Sunday 28th August. Millions were evacuated from Low lying and coastal areas and evacuation was mandatory in certain areas. Mayors of cities and Governors of states were addressing the people by turns warning about dangers of non-evacuation and steps to be taken for prevention of damage by the hurricane. Announcements were made that road bridges will be closed if wind speed exceeded 60 Miles per hour. Storm surge in the sea had created 30 feet high waves. Water levels in the sea had risen by 10 feet. People had boarded (using card board sheets to nail and close windows) windows and removed garbage cans from the streets. Red Cross was ready with camps, beds and relief materials. Three persons were dead in Virginia by 3 PM on 27th. Winds up to 100 miles per hour were battering the coast. There were power outages in many places, but we were not affected.

A three member committee was formed in our house to prepare, receive and face Madame Irene. On Saturday morning, the committee members went shopping to procure materials for the event. They reported on return that the shelves in the shops were empty and drinking water bottles were hard to find. Bread, fruits, juices and snacks were in great demand. After two trips, one to east and one to west, items required for two days were finally procured. Committee members went round the house and moved all mobile objects to the shed or garage - outdoor chairs, table, umbrella etc. Windows were tied and closed.

The calm before the storm extended till 3 PM on Saturday. First drops of rain arrived at 3 PM. Philadelphia declared Emergency for the first time since 1986. By evening heavy rains started pounding the area. Wind speeds increased and tension mounted. At 10.30 PM warnings were given that Tornadoes may hit Valley Forge Area. All residents were strictly advised to move to safer rooms or basement till early morning. We also moved to the basement and spent the night watching Weather Channel and local new channels.

By morning of Sunday the wind velocity had come down and the hurricane had moved towards New York. Rain stopped around noon. Going outdoors was still dangerous as the roads were flooded. Schuylkill river, about three miles from our area had received 15 feet high waters and increased to 23 feet by evening which was a record for the river. Water was over flowing bridges in many places and many roads were closed.

The grim situation had its funny side too! Two youngsters were arrested by the Police for rowing a boat on one of the roads. The water flowing on the highway encouraged them to take their canoe and row on the road. The arrest was made on the charge of "Lack of Commonsense!". And, after all, lack of commonsense is not very uncommon. When questioned as to whether such a provision was there to arrest for lack of common sense, the officer smiled and said there was no such provision and they may be released later without pressing charges.  Sure, the officer definitely knew that arresting persons for lack of commonsense may result in arresting millions!.

The Hurricane had weakened and passed major cities by Monday Morning. New York was expected to be shut on Monday. But hard working volunteers had brought things to normal and it was business as usual on Monday Morning. Even the US OPEN TENNIS Championship matches started as schedule. On Monday Maria Sharapova was winning her first round Match against Heather Watson in the third set.

We did encounter the nature's fury from the comforts of our home. We were lucky. Many others had indeed a tough time. It was extremely dangerous and hard for the officials and volunteers. But the people emerged nearly unscathed from Irene when compared to the misery of Katrina. 

White Money, Black Money and Dirty Money

The recent debate over corruption and money hoarded in secret accounts of Swiss Banks has made it necessary to take a look at different colours of Money.

What is the colour of Money? It may be Greenback as US dollar is called and well known. It may be Red-back as an Indian 20 rupee note is. But any Money can be broadly classified into three categories;  White, Black and Dirty.

This classification arises from two important factors - Whether the money is accounted for? And whether the money is obtained by Legal means? Or in other words, whether the money attracts Civil action or Criminal action by competent authority?

Any money generated by legitimate economic activity or earned by selling goods or services etc. and also properly accounted and reported to the respective authorities is White Money. Or Simply called money, as nobody refers to it as White Money. White money is properly accounted in the books of accounts of the holder and duly declared to the respective authorities like Income Tax in India and Bureau of internal Revenue in France or IRS in USA etc. Similarly, amounts declared to Border Security authorities when carried to another sovereign country or territory. Nothing to hide. Any person or organisation holding such money need not be afraid of either civil action or criminal action from any authority. This is the expectation of any civilised and law abiding society.

Money generated by legitimate economic activity or selling of goods and services etc, but not accounted in the books of accounts of the holder and withheld from reporting to the competent authority like Income tax or IRS is called Black Money. The Mens Rea (Mens Rea in Latin means "Guilty of Mind") here is to withhold payment of prescribed tax to the Government and increase one's income or wealth to that extent. Non-payment of prescribed taxes is an offence under the Tax laws of any country and attracts civil liability in the form of demand made for payment of amount of tax evaded and also an additional amount levied as fine or penalty. However, persistent or repeated violation of declaring the income or wealth properly may also lead to criminal liability as per the laws of respective countries. However, it should be appreciated that such provisions are basically to deter the citizens from concealing income, but not a revenue raising measure as with levy of regular taxes.

Money generated by illegal activity per se is Dirty Money. Examples of such money can be money generated by Drug peddling, Arms dealing (excluding dealing in arms as per licence obtained from an authority established by law like Fire Arms Control Authority), Bribe Money, funds raised for terrorist activities etc. In creating or dealing with Dirty money, law of the land are violated at every stage and each of such actions at every stage attracts criminal liability and punishable as a criminal offence. Persons or Organisations generating or dealing in such Money have to be in perennial fear of law enforcement authorities. 

Holders of Dirty Money make efforts to convert such money into White money, but it is not a simple issue. Holders of Black Money may declare the quantum of concealed income or wealth well before detection by the competent authority and get away from the sin by paying the prescribed taxes and penalty and breath easy. Not so in the case of Dirty Money. Just as dirty clothes are to be laundered and changed to clean clothes for re-use, Dirty Money requires laundering and hence the term "Money Laundering". Money laundering means disguising illegal sources of money so that it would appear having received from legal sources. By the process of Money Laundering taint attached to such money is sought to be removed so that the money can be utilised like legal money.

Methods used for "Money Laundering" make an interesting study. There are many methods of  Money Laundering but all of them consist of three major steps. The first step is called Structuring or Placement which involves introducing Dirty Money into financial system by some method or combinations of various methods explained below. The second step is to carry out complex financial transactions in order to camouflage the illegal sources. The third step is to retrieve the money and acquire wealth generated from such transactions. The second and third step involves transfer of funds to different accounts in a series of transactions so that tracing of the source becomes almost impossible.

Some of the interesting methods adopted for Money Laundering are as under:

• Smuggling of bulk amounts in cash to another jurisdiction or country or a country with higher secrecy laws.
• Purchasing bearer instruments/securities in small amounts and later depositing them elsewhere again in small amounts.
• Breaking funds into small lots of deposits (below reporting levels) to defeat the provisions of Anti Money Laundering reporting.
• Transfer of money to shell companies or entities in Tax havens like Mauritius, Bahamas, Cayman islands, Liechtenstein etc.
• Carrying on cash intensive business and adding illegal money to increase volume.
• Over invoicing goods or services and meeting the extra charged through illegal money.
• Converting Dirty money to white money by using Casinos.

It is interesting to note that cash intensive business can be used for generating black money as well as Money Laundering. Under reporting of proceeds received by sale of goods results in unaccounted or Black Money. Over reporting of receipts and adding illegal money to meet the deficit becomes Money Laundering. Similarly, under invoicing and receiving the difference in value overseas or in another territory creates black money whereas over invoicing and meeting the deficit through dirty money results in Money Laundering.

Conversions through Casinos and Real Estate makes interesting study. A person having Dirty Money can go to a Casino and buy chips or gamble using it and then seek refund of the remaining chips or credit. The payment for such amounts can be obtained by means of a cheque and the same can be later deposited in a bank account as genuine winnings from gambling. Purchase of Real Estate with part of illegal money and later realising the amount by sale of Real Estate also provides a source for Money Laundering.

An inter-governmental organisation by name FATF (The Financial Action Task Force) or GAFF (Groupe d'action Financiere - in French) has been set up as early as in 1989 as a part of G-7 countries initiative for the purpose of developing policies to combat Money Laundering and terrorist financing. The FAFT functions from the secretariat of OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) headquarters in Paris, France. One of the directions given by the FAFT to all Commercial Banks is to report any suspicious transaction as well as big transactions beyond a cut-off limit to the designated authority (usually a cell in the Central Bank of the country like RBI in India or FED in USA). Once the transaction is reported, the designated authority takes up the next stages of tracing and monitoring the money. Anti Money Laundering Acts have been enacted by many governments.

Money laundering has come to sharp focus after 9/11 terrorist attacks on World Trade Centre in New York, USA. There is a close connection between Dirty Money and terrorist activities even though Money Laundering has much wider ramifications than terrorism alone. FAFT does not give any estimate of Money Laundering and admits that it is impossible to estimate it. However, IMF estimates it to be 2% to 5% of worldwide global economy, an estimate which could be disputed as definite methodology for estimating the same are not available due to the very nature of the money involved. However, it can be safely assumed that the volumes of Money Laundered is an undisputed threat to World economy.


Another term used in dealing with Money is Hawala. Hawala is an informal value transfer system based on a huge networks of brokers and is over 1000 years old. It is said that the hawala system was used in Middle East and parts of India and China as early as 8th Century AD. Hawala by itself is not illegal unless it is banned by the governmental authorities. It is used many times to defeat the payment of commission to banks. In this system money is paid to a hawala operator in one place and his counterpart pays the equivalent value in another place. There will be a series of such transactions and the two hawala operators settle the difference between the sum of transactions over a period of time in a mutually acceptable manner. This method is attractive due to its simple nature and no paper work involved, especially for small amounts and for illiterate persons due to avoidance of regulations. But growth of a strong formal banking system and regulators insistence for routing all financial transactions through approved banking channels has rendered hawala system now being used mostly for illegal transfer of funds, by defeating provisions of various laws.

In a nutshell the nut is in the shell - if you want peace of mind have only one type of Money. The Money or (White) Money. Earn legally, account properly and pay your due taxes. And be Happy! 

They also fought corruption, in their own way!

Top news in India nowadays is the support Anna Hazare is receiving from the general public for his crusade against corruption. The campaign is going from strength to strength.

Was there any corruption long time ago? When did corruption actually start? Was there any fight against corruption in olden days? Can it ever be eradicated?

Answer to the last question appears to be an emphetic NO. It may be at the best made to lie low for sometime. But it will rear its head again, the multi headed serpet of corruption.

I recall two stories on fight on corruption. The stories were told to me by my father when I was a child. The first one may be well known. The second one may not be that well known.

The first one is about a wise man who was living in severe poverty. Even though every one in his village recognised his wisdom and respected him, he was not known outside his village. He would not use his wisdom to earn money for the maintainance of his family. But his wife one day firmly told him to go to the King, please him with his wisdom and come back with some money. Or else he would not be allowed entry in to the house. Naturally. The Homemaker who runs the home knows the real difficulties of making both ends meet.

The wise man had no alternative. To maintain domestic peace he went to the King's palace.

The Dwarapaalakas (Guards at the door) would not allow him inside the palace. After much pleading they agreed to let him in if he shared his prize with them when he came back. He promised the two guards that the prize he received will be shared equally with the two guards and he himself would not take anything home.

Once inside the palace, he met the King and pleased him by his wisdom by answering the difficult questions asked in the King's court. The king was about announce a prize to the wise man. The wise man requested the King to give a prize of his choice. Though surprised, the King agreed.

The wise man asked to be given an award of twenty lashes. Everyone including the King were surprised. But as agreed the King called the Lashing-man. At this moment, the wise man requested the king to call the two Dwarapaalas. When they arrived he told the King about the commitment he had made to share the Prize with them and requested the king to reward them with ten lashes each.

No need to say that the corrupt Door-men were punished and the wise man was rewarded by being appointed as the Chief Vigilance Commissioner in the King's court.

This story is attributed by some to Tenali Rama. some to Birbal. and some others to some one else. I would like to simply keep it as The Wise Man.

The other story is for another day.