Masterstroke  It’s been quite a long time since we discussed cricket in this column. In fact, the general pages contain so much of cricket masala that we deemed it a waste of time and space to include cricket matters here. However, the exploits of Sachin Tendulkar — 163 not out (retired hurt) off 133 deliveries in the third ODI in New Zealand — and Virender Sehwag’s unbeaten 125 off just about 70 balls in the fourth provided that special thrust to ponder and talk about those special moments. Sachin’s vintage innings of March 8 amply proved why the little master blaster is regarded as the best batsman in world cricket today. Sachin, who was ruled out leg before wicket thrice in the recent series against Sri Lanka, although replays showed the ball clearly leaving his leg stump, took upon himself to display Sehwag-like belligerance with uncharacteristic disdain dispatching the balls all around. Sachin’s pulls, slices, hooks, straight drives, cover drives and hits over the bowler’s head reminded all of his glorious blazing days which we rarely see now. It seems, Sachin needs only to throw his bat like that if he does not want to throw his wicket cheaply. Then the innings of Sehwag on March 11 must have reminded the cricketing world what one-day batsmanship is all about. His whirlwind unbeaten knock must be giving the Kiwis nightmares now as Sachin’s exploits did to Shane Warne about a decade ago. With Sachin, Viru, Yuvraj, Raina, Yusuf, Dhoni and Gambhir letting their bats do all the talking, it’s an awesome time for Indian cricket.

Bad colours  Holi is the festival of colours associated with fun, frolic, joy and merriment. People spray colours upon one another to spread the message of unity and brotherhood. But some unsavoury incidents always seem to mar the celebrations making many people bitter. On March 11 also while celebrating Holi, rowdies severely assaulted a youth for which he had to be hospitalized. Seems a section of insensible youths indulge in menacing heroics to disturb the peace and joy of the revellers. Such incidents keep on occurring during festivities like Holi polluting the atmosphere. This is a tragic reality which we must take upon ourselves to curb and it’s no surprise when a friend of ours says, “we need to shed our indifference and react together against such incidents with iron hand without waiting for the impotent lawkeepers to do something against the culprits.”

Energy courses  Strategically located and serving as a gateway to Southeast Asia, Assam, nay the Northeast, is gifted with abundant mineral resources and can well become an international hub for trade and commerce. But the region has been kept aloof from the rest of India and is deprived of all modern amenities offering professional education comparable to international standard, despite the fact that there is consciousness among people for quality education. Keeping this in mind, POGL Institute at Panbazar, Guwahati was established sometime back for the benefit of aspirants in the energy sector, offering professional courses in oil, gas, bio-diesel, hydro energy and allied areas. Among the various courses offered by the institute are masters degree in petroleum exploration (MPE) as well as its post-graduation diploma (PGDPE) which any science or engineering graduates can pursue, besides short certificate courses in drilling, gas cracker and gas handling, plant erection and maintenance, lab assistant, etc, along with practical courses conducted in upstream organizations like OIL, ONGC and NEIST (formerly RRL) Jorhat. It has collaboration with Gauhati University, NEIST Jorhat, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and many international technology organizations. The institute is expected to produce a pool of quality youth power to work as expert professionals in the energy sector which has plenty of potential to absorb the passouts in the region itself.

Simanta / Mridumoloy