Amit's Musings

The Caribbean Symphony: Worrell, Weekes, and Walcott Let’s step into the sunlit fields of Caribbean cricket, where the Three Ws—Frank Worrell, Everton Weekes, and Clyde Walcott—wove a tapestry of batting brilliance in the 1940s and 1950s. These West Indian legends turned the crease into a stage, their bats crafting strokes of elegance, power, and defiance. From Worrell’s regal grace to Weekes’ explosive artistry and Walcott’s commanding presence, they elevated West Indies cricket to global glory. Join me as we explore their legacies, their battles against the world’s best bowlers, and their indelible mark on cricket’s history. Frank Worrell Picture Barbados in the late 1940s: a young Frank Worrell strides out, his upright stance exuding quiet royalty. Sir Frank Mortimer Maglinne Worrell wasn’t just a batsman; he was a poet of the crease, his strokes flowing like a Caribbean breeze. “Worrell’s batting was a study in refinement, each shot a note of pure class,” wrote C.L.R. James in Be...

From Shadows to Stardom: The MOS Burger Odyssey The year is 1972. In a bustling Tokyo, the golden arches of McDonald's were beginning to cast long shadows, promising speed and American convenience. But in this landscape, a quiet revolution was brewing, spearheaded by a visionary named Atsushi Sakurada. Having spent time in Los Angeles, Sakurada was captivated by a local hamburger chain, Tommy's, and its "cook-to-order" concept. He envisioned a similar model for Japan, but with a distinctly Japanese soul. This was the genesis of MOS Burger, a name that itself embodies its aspirations: "Mountain" for grandeur and strength, "Ocean" for broad-mindedness and openness, and "Sun" for passion and energy. "Sakurada's initial idea was deceptively simple yet profoundly disruptive," notes Dr. Kenji Tanaka, a professor of business history at Waseda University. "He wasn't trying to out-McDonald's McDonald's. He was cr...

  The Vijay Dynasty: Merchant, Hazare, and Manjrekar Hey, let’s talk about a golden era in Indian cricket, when the name "Vijay" was synonymous with batting brilliance. Vijay Merchant, Vijay Hazare, and Vijay Manjrekar—these three Vs were the heartbeat of Indian cricket from the 1930s to the 1960s. Their bats didn’t just score runs; they painted stories of grit, grace, and glory. From Merchant’s textbook precision to Hazare’s fearless defiance and Manjrekar’s nimble artistry, they shaped India’s cricketing identity. Join me as we dive into their legacies, their battles against fearsome bowlers, and their towering place in cricket’s history. Vijay Merchant Picture this: Bombay, 1933, a young Vijay Merchant steps onto the crease, a 22-year-old with dreams bigger than the maidan. Vijay Ananda Gajanan Merchant was the pioneer of Indian batting’s golden age, a man whose textbook technique and steely focus made him a legend. “Merchant’s batting was a masterclass in orthodoxy...

From Colonial Outpost to Cultural Capital Alright, let’s hop on a time machine to explore Calcutta (now Kolkata), the city that’s been brewing culture, rebellion, and rosogolla sweetness since its founding in 1690 by Job Charnock as a British trading post. From a muddy East India Company hub, it grew into the dazzling capital of British India, buzzing with Bengali Renaissance vibes, literature, and fiery nationalism. The 1911 capital shift to Delhi was a plot twist, but Calcutta stayed a powerhouse of arts, cuisine, and intellect. Post-1947, it became West Bengal’s capital, navigating economic ups and downs while keeping its adda (chat sessions) and mishti (sweets) game strong. By 2025, Kolkata’s a modern metropolis with IT hubs and metro lines, yet its Durga Puja, Tagore’s legacy, and street food shine bright. Some traditions have faded, but its cultural soul endures. Let’s dive into this spicy, soulful saga! Founding and Colonial Era (1690–1947): The Making of a Metropolis it’...

The Grace of the Willow: O’Neill, Worrell, and Harvey   In cricket’s hallowed arena, where passion meets poetry, Norman O’Neill, Frank Worrell, and Neil Harvey painted strokes of timeless elegance. Their bats, like artists’ brushes, wove silken threads across pitches, turning creases into canvases of grace. With wrists that danced and timing that sang, they crafted innings that lingered like verses. This lyrical ode celebrates their artistry, where every drive was a stanza, every flick a fleeting sonnet in cricket’s eternal saga. Norman O’Neill Norman O’Neill, Australia’s dashing right-hander, was a poet of the crease, his bat crafting strokes with the finesse of a calligrapher. His lean frame, poised with quiet intensity, delivered drives that flowed like a river’s gentle current. “O’Neill’s batting was a spectacle of elegance, his shots a blend of power and grace,” wrote Ray Robinson, his cover drives shimmering like sunlight on water. His 181 against England in 1961, a Sydney ma...

  The UAE's Hydro-Economic Miracle: Desalination as the Bedrock The United Arab Emirates (UAE), a nation forged from desert and ambition, stands as a global titan in the realm of water security. With virtually no natural freshwater sources, extremely low rainfall, and a rapidly expanding population fueled by economic prosperity, the UAE's very existence and continued growth are inextricably linked to its mastery of the sea. Desalination is not merely a component of its water strategy; it is the absolute foundation, a testament to the nation's unwavering commitment to engineering its own destiny in one of the world's most arid environments. The United Arab Emirates has transformed itself into a water-secure nation through unparalleled investment in desalination, with over 90% of its potable water derived from the Arabian Gulf. Historically reliant on thermal Multi-Stage Flash (MSF) technology, the UAE is now rapidly pivoting towards more energy-efficient Reverse Osm...