One swallow doesn’t make a
summer
The much-awaited and talked-about WTC final between India and Australia is over at the Oval. India lost the match by a massive margin of 209 runs. So, by this time, our cricket pundits, press, and cricket-crazy fans must have realised the differences between test and instant cricket. The differences are very glaring. They are as follows:
1) T20s and ODIs are instant cricket. No proper technique for real cricket is followed. It is simply a cricket of chances, a bang bang cricket for instant cricket.
2) A white ball is used in T20s and ODIs, which have a minimum swing. In test matches, cherry red balls are used, which swing both ways for a longer period of time. It is a real test of the batter’s technique and the bowler’s consistency.
3) Our so-called demi-God batters like Rohit Sarma, Virat Kohli, Shubnam Gill, Ajinkhe Rahane, and others must know where their off stump is, as they don’t have the liberty of flashing anything outside the off stump as four slip fielders along with the keeper will be waiting behind the stumps. They don’t have the luxury of going for some unorthodox shots, like reverse sweeps, etc., as seen in T20s or ODIs to cheer the crowd.
[4] The bowlers cannot purchase wickets. They will have to bowl with proper line, length, pace, swing, spin, flight, and bounce to get a wicket.
[5] The batsmen will have to wait for a loose delivery to go for any stroke with patience and footwork, as seen in the cases of our old stalwarts like Gavaskar, Tendulkar, Vengsarkar, Dravid, Laxman, Azhar, Sehwag, Viswanath, and others, to name a few. Yes, we like instant cricket, as it gives us instant pleasure. Because of its intense popularity, let us have two sets of cricketers so we don’t lack bench strength.
A very simple piece of advice to our young cricketers like Umran Malik and Shubnam Gill A single ray of sunshine does not mean summer. They have a long way to go. By the way, the IPL has made our cricketers rich but Indian cricket poorer.
Dr. Ashim Chowdhury,
Guwahati.
Have smart electric metres been tested and calibrated?
Perception matters! The public’s complaint against smart electric metres is on the rise. It appears that the installation of smart metres in residential buildings has become a burden for consumers rather than an advantage. However, APDCL seems to ignore it as if it is not an issue. This attitude is totally uncalled for!
Without proper testing and calibration of digital or smart electric metres, nobody can be sure that every metre gives the correct reading. After coming out of the production and assembly chain, it is mandatory to get each and every piece of instrument tested and calibrated before it is released into the market. However, all manufacturers may not have facilities or laboratories in place for testing and calibration. In that case, they have to seek the help of laboratories accredited by India’s National Accreditation Board of Testing and Calibration. Since it is a time-consuming process, Indian manufacturers and suppliers try to bypass it. The consumers are not supposed to be penalised for the lapses on the part of the supplier or APDCL. Still, APDCL can test and calibrate the installed metres. This is an urgent need of the hour, and we wish APDCL would swing into action to address the public’s complaints immediately.
It is in the nature of things to mention that we, the people of the state, are paying the highest amount per unit of power consumed in the country. It is indeed unfortunate! The reasons are obvious! We hardly produce 200 MW, against our requirement of 2000 MW. In fact, we have many miles to go in the case of making ourselves self-sufficient in power production. The crux of the matter is that we are yet to begin our journey!
Prafulla Dowarah,
Guwahati