SACHIN RAMESH TENDULKAR

ON THE SPUR …………….

A PHENOMENA CALLED - SACHIN RAMESH TENDULKAR

A stunned silence would descend, when this little fiery bundle, would take guard.

The next moment the entire stadium, television viewers across the world, cricket fans would have gone crazy, as the explosive willow would have dispatched the red cherry with a mastery stroke never seen before – that was sachin for the world – first ball of a match irrespective of it being the shorter or longer verison of the game. His eye contact and instinct were so much in sync with the ball that IT would have got lost amongst the crowd in a cavalier fashion.

World over bowlers, feared this short curly haired dynamite, whose treatment of the ball used to work more like a purgative to them.

Allan Donald, Glenn Mcgrath, Shane Warne, Shoaib Akhthar TO NAME A FEW were hit all round the park with impunity and the greatest disdain. It was never possible for any bowler to pin him down for too long as once he read the bowler – he was so devastatingly destructive that the bowler would shudder to think of the next ball and how he would complete the over.

He was the nemesis of many a bowler on a given day, when nothing seemed to work but just sachin magic.

If one spoke about his batting, one thing stood out prominently, records tumbled on its own and he was the one to topple his own records better them every time he went to bat.

The sachin story is a mind boggling subject and invariably ends up into a book. Any one who ventures into delving into describing / writing about this great sportsman, would at his own risk, have to burn the mid night oil, consuming reams of news print and still fall short of the sachin mania.

A small tribute to my hero, whom I unflinchingly criticize, out of sheer love for the craft he possess and the universal passion he has created around his game.

I pray to God, to give him the right thought and strength of mind to say a hero’s final         “ good bye “  to this lovely game of cricket in most fitting manner and not be hooted and hounded out through various print and news media.

A cursory glance, through 23 years of Sachin magic, is enough to give goose bumps to stay on for a long long time.

I also love him cause he carries my name – R A M E S H.

ALL THE BEST TO YOU – SACHIN RAMESH TENDULKAR – ONE OF THE GREATEST LEGENDS OF ALL TIMES - IN CRICKET. 

RAMESH NARAIN KURPAD

RAHUL DRAVID

Rahul Sharad Dravid, is one of the greatest cricketers India has produced post 1983 world cup win.

9th of March 2012, as the world watched their television monitors, with gaping eyes, mouths wide open, there could be many a human in India who would have had tears rolling down, as this man, a thorough gentleman, announced his retirement from all forms of Cricket.

For me the feeling was more than someone extremely dear passing away. Some events even though not supposed to be shocking are quite difficult to digest for the devastation it creates and very often when a void is created due to the individuals absence.

India and the World of Cricket has truly lost a great ambassador of the game in the truest sense of the word. His serene presence, armed by either a stoic concentrated silence or an unassuming simple smile as the situation demanded are things which a lot of people connected with the game will miss sorely.

The Indian Cricketers - Rahul's colleagues at the start of a cricket match would always have woken up to the fact that they have Rahul to oversee an Indian Show more often carrying them on his broad shoulders to a resounding victory.

My mood today is much more emtional and is worse, like having lost somebody who has not even stepped into his youth.


The world will not feel so much, when sachin - laxman - veeru retire as much as they are feeling now in the case of Rahul. The reason is simple - the whole world is resonating with only one sentiment " WHY " RAHUL. WHY YOU and why not the other names just mentioned.

One school of thought would feel that Indian Cricket lover would never want these senior players to ever retire as they are irreplaceable, but is that humanly possible.? All have to go one day - leaving the game and also leaving the world.

My feelings today are some what like, when I heard that Mohd Rafi is no more. Rahul Dravid in many ways can be compared to the legendary rafi sahab, as he has many of the great qualities which elevates one to such adulation.

Rahul Dravid could in my opinion have continued playing for another two to three years easily considering his character, fitness, concentration, dedication, motivation and single minded devotion towards cricket and the love of the game and the nation. He always felt it a great honor playing for the nation.

What ever be the oppostion or the soil they were playing on - Rahul always entered the field of play with a win in mind.

Many a times in such situations when a great player retires, the media approaches other great players in the sport from all over the world for comments on the retiring player. In the case of Rahul a lot many of the greats across the world will themselves pile over each other to give their appreciation and true opinion of this gentle cricketer. What would have really impressed the other greats about Rahul Dravid is his simplicity, gentle nature, technically sound approach towards the game. His great knocks all over the world would have made them stand up take note and applaud and would be etched in their memories.

From now on, whenever India plays its next test match series whether on Indian Soil or abroad, the other cricketing nation would have mixed feelings of not having to deal with Rahul the Wall at No.3 but also sad that they would not get to see his magic on the field.

A lot of people say a lot of good things about great sportsman but in the case of Dravid, each and every accolade heaped on him is true and more often long after the programme felicitating him or the debate on the television media is over, some would want to have said many more things about rahul.

I think rahul’s mantra in life must have been like the famous dialague which Ranbir Kapoor keeps repeating in the Tata Docomo add – “ keep it simple silly “. !!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know a lot of people will want to break a few bones in my body when I say boldly that its about time you get the que or clue provided to you by the great Rahul Dravid and also announce your retirements one by one but quickly.

The world knows the truth that Rahul had a lot of cricket left in him but chose to retire gracefully, but, the same cannot be said about sachin and laxman. Sehwag, should seriously pull up his socks or quit.

The earlier Sachin and Laxman quit the scene, the better it for them as well as for Indian Cricket.

Rahul Dravid with great pride and happiness, I salute you as I was one of the billions of cricket lovers who followed your career closely not for your statistics but for your simplicity in character and solidity as a Cricketer.

I am deeply saddened that you have left the game when you could have contributed for a few more years.

Cricket, India and the other cricketing countries will truly miss you.

Here’s wishing you all the best in the rest of your life with a rejoinder that – we would like to see you give back some of your rich cricketing experience in the role of a coach, administrator, selector, ICC representative, commentator and a cricket expert.

We would want to keep seeing you now and then in the print and television media as long as you are alive.

Three Cheers to Rahul Dravid – HIP HEP – hurray.

Ramesh narain kurpad

P.S. - I would be doing gross injustice to rahul and many other humans connected to him by not mentioning that, undoubtedly his parents, his siblings, his teachers in school, his lecturers/professors in college, his cricketing coaches, BCCI, cricket selectors, his seniors in cricket, his colleagues in the game, his adversaries, his opponents, other cricketing nations, international cricketers, indian and international media - would be extremely proud of him.

More often we would have to ask others to say something about a personality in the case of rahul sharad dravid - a sea of tributes will be pouring in from all quarters of the world, relentlessly long after the cows have gone back home.

rahul - i just cant put down the pen - when one starts building a wall of a tribute. I shuddeer to imagine what a sacrifice you would have put in to actually become the wall for indian cricket and what goes into building one.

my salutations - truly proud of you.

ramesh narain kurpad.

-

"GENERATION AHEAD"

"China's Growing Blue Water

Capability"

By Vice Admiral (retd)Arun Kumar Singh

When I was asked by FORCE to a comparitive on the Indian and Chinese Navies, I thought of three options. The first and easiest was to do a straightforward comparision of the two navies. The second was to incorporate my experiences as Fleet Commander to Shanghai in September 2000 with units of the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet. During my stay, I had the opportunity to interact personbally with the Chinese Commander -in-Chief East Fleet ( another "fellow" submariner), and the officers. I had the privilege of conducting a short exercise with a PLA Navy (PLAN) frigate and also visited a modern PLAN frigate. Third, perhaps the most logical approach was a holistic view.

The sea power of a nation is not simply the types and number of ships, aircraft and submarines -- Its a sum total of a nations history, geography, sea going culture of the people, literacy education, scientific levels, industrial base, economic power, strategic culture along with political foresight

It is interesting to note that though due credit is given to the Chinese civilization for its invention of gunpowder and rockets, few are aware that over 2000 years ago, the Chinese made weapons (eg a semi automatic cross bow with a rate of fire of one arrow a second or a crossbow with a range of 400 yards), an art developed by the the rest of the world some 1000 years later!! Besides the inimitable Great Wall of China, the Chinese were also well versed in the art of using rockets at sea, fired from one ship to another, well before Babur used cannon in the first battle of Panipat in 1525. In fact few are aware of the legendary Chinese Admiral Zheng He's voyage to India and Africa.

In modern age, with the exception of a few odd incidents (China's recent "man in space" and shooting down of its own satellite at an altitude of 800 kms). China boasts of 492 yards for shipbuilding/repairs (India 28), which employ 2, 87,702 workers (India 50,000),and produce 20 percent of the global merchant shipping tonnage (India 0.8 %). Worst still Chinese Yards contribute 84% of ships to domestic shipping (India less than 2%, since it’s cheaper to import ships). ln addition, shipbuilding man-hours per ton in China are 80, while India's average is 200 (Japan and Korea have 10).India's growing economy will require over 2000ships of plus 50,000 GRT (or 1000 ships of 100,000 GRT), by 2025 and (unless their are drastic reforms) most of these ships will be imported.

A merchant ship comprises the steel hull, a propulsion system with power generation , and electronics for navigation , radars etc.In a warship, the weapons-sensors- electronics form about 50% of the cost, while the propulsion- power generation costs 30% and the hull 20%. Today, barring a few exceptions China produces almost all the requirements of its warships, submarines,merchant ships, fishing trawlers (using a combination of licence production, reverse engineering and indigenous production) -- In India, the Delhi class DDGs (and follow-on DDGs - FFGs) , though built at home, use imported propulsion gas turbines, gas turbine generators, guns, SAMs,SSMs, TLMs sensors, ASW weapons -- though EW systems, sonar etc are indigenous and a few more items like the Brahmos etc are "coming in ". The Chinese Navy has a clear lead in SSBNs, SSNs and conventional submarines wrt domestic production.

The Chinese Navy (PLAN), since its inception on 23 April 1949, was charged with "coastal defence", as a smaller part of the Army (PLA). In 1985, PLAN shifted to "offshore defence strategy", which did not define any range or specific area of operations, but included the Yellow sea, the China sea, the seas around Taiwan, Spratly islands and Japan -- Its present unstated range of operations can be assumed to be about 1000 nautical miles (nm) from Mainland China.

A summary of the modern PLAN is as follows ---- The Chinese, following an unconventional approach to sea warfare, are believed to be inducting land based Ballistic Missiles (500 -1500 km range) with manoeuvring re-entry conventional warheads (MaRVs),

capable of attacking aircraft carriers and other ships at sea, based on targeting data provided by satellites (8 satellites are being launched between 2006 - 2008, for surveillance) or other means..

-- In 2005, China is believed to have acquired shore based High Frequency Surface Wave Radars (HFSWR) which can detect ships at 150 - 200 nm and aircraft at 250nm. Russia and Australia have a similar system, while the UK, began trials on this in 2005.

-- Land attack cruise missiles ( indigenous DH-10) and anti -ship cruise missiles (Russian 3m-54 E Klub), for use from ships , submarines and aircraft.

-- Long Range SAMs (50 to 100 km range) deployed on ships.

-- Land based fighters operated by the PLAN Air wing (PLANAF) comprise, Russian SU 27, SU 30, and indigenous J10s, F11s.These are supported by air tankers and newly inducted A50 AWACS and the shorter range KJ-200/ Y8 AEW aircraft.UAVs are also in use.

-- The "FOUNDATION OF PLAN (Chinese Navy)" it’s SUBMARINE ARM which comprises over a 75 units. The newer units include the JIN class SSBN (JL-2 SLBM range 8000 km), Shang class 30 knot SSNs, conventional modern YUAN class, "reasonably modern" Song class and about 10 Russian Kilos (Project 877 / 636), all of which can fire missiles (anti ship, land attack) and modern torpedoes. By 2010 China will have about 40 modern submarines and a strategic second strike capability.

-- Much is rumoured about the Chinese aircraft carrier. The Chinese are expected to field the ex- Russian carrier Varyag (acquired 70% complete from Russia in 1998) by about 2012. This 70,000 ton ship will operate the SU -33 Russian fighters for which China has shown interest.

A Chinese photo did show an indigenous J-10 with folded wings in 2007, suggesting its use for the carrier.

- In the last decade China has purchased 4 Soveremenny DDGs from Russia (with 120 km, two mach Moskit anti ship missiles) and two more maybe on order with a 240 km range Moskit 2 variant. In addition China has deployed 5 new classes of destroyers (Luhu, Luhai, Luyang1, Luyang2, and Luzhou and three new classes of frigates (Jiangwei 1, Jiangwei 2, and Jiangkai.--a phenmenal achievement for any country. The Luyang class DDGs have phased array radar with a VLS - LR SAM (HQ-9), while the Luzhou DDgs have a Russian phased array with a Russian LRSAM (100 KM). The Jiangkai is a stealth frigate and has a close resemblance to the French La Fayette class frigate.

--China has over 200 fast attack craft (FACs)...

--In the last 3 three years China has built three new classes of LSTs and LCTs for amphibious warfare...

-- China’s High Powered Microwave weapons, delivered by missiles may result in "killiing" enemy electronics in vicinity due to a non nuclear electromagnetic pulse (EMP).

-- The Chinese have displayed great ingenuity in Information Warfare --The Indian MEA, (reported by media on 11 April 2008), had its computers hacked by the Chinese.

The Naval War College (USA) had its network penetrated by the Chinese a couple of years back.

The 2,90,000 strong PLAN has three Fleets or Commands viz the North, East and South Sea Fleets, which have roughly the same assets (including aviation) -- However, the SSBNs and and SSNs are with the North and South Sea Fleets. Interestingly, the Chinese SSBN will launch its nuclear tipped missiles (like all nuclear weapons), not on the authority of the President, but on orders of the Chairman of the CMC (Central Military Commission).

Overseas redeployments to "show the Chinese flag' by the PLAN have increased considerably. In the 1980s, two task groups (TGs) went abroad to 4 countries. In the 1990s, 10 TGs went to 30 ports in 20 countries. In the last 7 years, 13 TGs have visited 37 countries, displaying the PLANs growing blue water capability.

Notwithstanding the above, the PLAN is some years away from sustained deployment in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), because its total focus and force structure is Taiwan centric and meant to conduct sea denial operations against the US Navy, in that region. However, China, is importing increasing quantities of crude oil from the Gulf region, and a secondary focus of the PLAN will be to build a blue water capability to ensure safety of its SLOCs, in keeping with its "string of pearls "policy (the recently commissioned Gwadar port, on Pakistan's Baluchistan coast, not far from the exit to the Gulf of Oman, is a step in this direction).. It will take the PLAN many years to overcome its weaknesses for sustained blue water ops, joint ops, C4IS2R (Command control computers, communications, Intelligence, Surveillance, Space, Reconnaissance), modern AAW and ASW, MCM etc.

The 130 ship Indian navy is in a state of transition to blue water capability and, unlike the PLAN, it has no SSBNs or SSNs. Also, despite being the only Armed Force, which has encouraged indigenisation, India is still well behind in the race to build conventional submarines, weapons, sensors, and even merchant ships.

Wrt naval Aviation, the 25 year ongoing LCA programme (the naval version is also planned), is expected to take more time, since HAL, (after 829 test flights) is now scouting the world for a more powerful engine for the aircraft which is overweight by one ton !! India will require enormous Govt funding of shipyards to produce Indian merchant ships, warships and submarines on a war footing. Notwithstanding all this, the Indian Navy does have a slender advantage due to its highly trained professional manpower, its experience with carrier aviation and a few hi-tech warships. The PLAN has the huge advantage in SSBNs, SSNs, conventional subs and a massive shipbuilding cum aviation cum space cum armaments industry. One item which should be on the front burner of the Government is the induction of indigenous SSBNs and SSNs. We must remember, that till about 2025, the primary Chinese blue water capability in the 28 msq km waters of the IOR would rest with its new SHANG class SSNs, , along with a few modern conventional subs (these would need refuelling every 45 days from one of China's "string of pearls" bases like Gwadar Port in Pakistan) while its strategic second strike capability would be the new JIN class SSBN, whose JL-2 SLBM, would cover the Indian peninsula, whilst the JIN remained in the sanctuary of the China Sea.

Only Indian nuclear and conventional subs, would be capable of applying the same counter pressure to China and it’s Navy in the "distant" China Sea.

-- A political leadership and bureaucracy, which understands the linkage between sea power , national prosperity and national security (90 % of India's trade is by sea, and 70 % of its oil is imported by sea -- this will also go up to 90 % by 2025)

-- The Political will of the Govt must be palpable and transparent.

-- The non performers in DRDO , must be given a "golden handshake" .India is importing tens of billions of arms due to the failure of the DRDO -- The 30 year, ongoing Arjun MBT project (with an import content of about 50%) is a classic case.

-- Enormous investments would be needed on long term basis for ship building, aviation, space exploitation, electronics, IT, and supporting industries, with the active participation of the private sector.

-- The Service HQs must be well and truly integrated with the Govt.

The Indian Navy, by 2025, should be backed by Indian R&D and Indian industry, to enable a”home built" force with the following as its core.

As per my personal (un official) assessment about six to eight SSBNs, six to eight SSNs, two to three aircraft carriers with truly indigenous aircraft (fighters, helicopters for ASW-ASV- AEW - vertical envelopment-logistics support, two LPD/ LPH type ships for amphibious operations and humanitarian assistance,

18 modern conventional long range - high endurance submarines with Air Independent Propulsion System, 30 modern destroyers/ frigates, 8 to 10 tankers for replenishment at sea, 50 LRMP aircraft and required number of helicopters and UAVs, 20 multi role corvettes (2000 to 2500 tons), 20 OPVs (1500 to 2000 tons).

If India has to give China, good competition in the overall field of sea power, the following are needed urgently --.

And the required number of helicopters and UAVs. The entire Navy should be Network Centric Capable.

The Indian Navy force structure of 2025, needs to cater for not only the PLAN and Pakistan Navy, but also protect our SLOCs and other peaceful maritime economic activities against the omnipresent threat of terrorism inside the 28 msq km of IOR, in addition to the four choke/ access points. Hence the comparatively large number of OPVs and Corvettes.

(The writer is a former FOC-in-C, Eastern Naval Command)