Samarth Turns One: A Year of Bliss, First Words, and Family Joy.

 #752

Yesterday, Friday, 21 August 2026, will forever rank among the most memorable days of our lives. Our grandson Samarth turned one. It feels like only yesterday that he arrived after a long, tense labour. What was expected to be a smooth delivery stretched across 24 hours with unexpected twists and turns. Even an optimist like me felt a few minutes of real uncertainty just before he entered the world.

The year that followed has been pure bliss. Watching him grow, laugh, and discover everything around him has filled our days with simple, profound happiness.

One moment stands out above the rest. A couple of weeks ago he suddenly called out “Thathaa! Thathaa!” —(தாத்தா ) the Tamil word for grandfather. Hearing those two syllables from his little mouth melted our hearts completely.

We marked his first birthday with a warm family gathering in Cupertino. There was cake-cutting, laughter, and the special joy that only a one-year-old’s party can bring. Shravan ordered a beautiful cake from “Icing on the Cake” in Los Gatos. Visiting the shop itself was a delightful experience — the kind of small adventure that makes family celebrations even sweeter.

Samarth’s traditional birthday according to the Hindu calendar will be celebrated on Monday, 7 September 2026, at the San Jose temple. We look forward to that special day as well.

This week we returned to San Francisco, arriving within forty days of our previous nearly six-month stay. We had braced ourselves for detailed questioning at immigration, yet the authorities cleared us with minimal fuss — another quiet blessing.We thank the Almighty for every moment of the past eighteen months and wish our dear Samarth a life filled with health, happiness, curiosity, and love. May the years ahead bring him everything beautiful.

Karthik

22/8/26 5pm. 

5000 ODIs Across 55 Years: My Top 5 Matches and Individual Masterclasses....

 #751

One-Day International cricket has completed a remarkable journey. On 7 August 2026, Scotland defeated Canada by nine runs in Dundee in what became the 5000th men’s ODI, exactly 55 years, seven months and a few days after the format’s accidental birth.

That first match, on 5 January 1971 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, was a rain-affected afterthought. The third Ashes Test had been washed out, so Australia and England played a 40-over (eight-ball overs) game. Australia chased 191 and won by five wickets. Few present imagined they were watching the start of a format that would define modern cricket.

I was eight years old then. Four years later, as a Grade 8 student, I followed the 1975 World Cup in England with pure fascination. Eight teams, white clothes, red ball, and a final that stretched deep into the Indian night on the longest day of the northern hemisphere. We laughed that a cricket World Cup was happening so soon after West Germany’s football triumph in 1974. The game has changed beyond recognition since — coloured kits, white balls, day-night matches, powerplays, and now the shadow of T20 leagues. Many fans of my generation feel both the 50-over game and Test cricket are on life support. Still, the first 3500-odd ODIs produced moments that remain etched in memory. Here are my personal top five matches from those 5000, followed by five unforgettable individual performances.

#5: India beat Pakistan, Sharjah, 22 March 1985

India scraped to 125 on a difficult pitch. Imran Khan took 6 for 14. Pakistan then collapsed to 87. Kapil Dev, Ravi Shastri and Laxman Sivaramakrishnan did the damage. No television for many of us in India — pure radio tension as the low-scoring thriller unfolded. India won by 38 runs.

#4: South Africa chase 435 to beat Australia, Johannesburg, 12 March 2006

Australia posted a then-record 434 for 4, Ricky Ponting 164. South Africa replied with 438 for 9. Herschelle Gibbs smashed 175, Graeme Smith 90, and Mark Boucher finished it with a boundary off the penultimate ball. The highest successful chase in ODI history at the time, and still one of the greatest games ever played.

#3: England beat New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup final

At Lord’s the scores finished level at 241. The Super Over also finished level at 15. England won on boundary count. Ben Stokes’ extraordinary 84 not out, the overthrows, the drama — followed mostly on radio and web, with the Super Over on television. An unforgettable, chaotic classic.

#2: West Indies beat Pakistan, 1975 World Cup, Edgbaston

Chasing 267, West Indies slumped to 203 for 9. Deryck Murray (61 not out) and Andy Roberts (24 not out) put on an unbroken 64 for the tenth wicket. They won with two balls to spare. Still the highest successful tenth-wicket stand in a winning cause in a World Cup.

Clive Lloyd with the 1975 World Cup. 

#1: West Indies beat Australia by 17 runs, 1975 World Cup final, Lord’s

Clive Lloyd’s magnificent 102, supported by Rohan Kanhai’s 55, took West Indies to 291 for 8. Australia reached 274. Viv Richards’ three run-outs in the field were decisive. The first World Cup final remains pure magic.

Top 5 individual performances

#5: Viv Richards 189 not out vs England, Old Trafford, 1984

West Indies were 166 for 9. Richards and Michael Holding added 106 unbroken. Richards finished on 189 off 170 balls — still among the greatest ODI innings ever.

#4: Winston Davis 7 for 51 vs Australia, 1983 World Cup

At Headingley the young fast bowler produced the best figures in ODI history at the time, routing Australia for 151 after West Indies made 252.

#3: Jonty Rhodes’ fielding vs West Indies, Brabourne Stadium, 1993

Five catches in one innings — a world record for a non-wicketkeeper that still stands. Rhodes redefined what was possible in the field.

#2: Collis King 86 vs England, 1979 World Cup final

Coming in at 99 for 4, King smashed 86 off 66 balls while Viv Richards played the supporting role. Their 139-run stand turned the match; West Indies won comfortably.

#1: Lance Klusener 31 not out off 16 balls, 1999 World Cup semi-final

Needing nine off the last over against Australia at Edgbaston, Klusener hit two fours to level the scores. The subsequent run-out of Allan Donald produced a tie, and Australia advanced. Heartbreak, but pure theatre.

Honourable mentions: Douglas Marillier’s scoop shot that dismantled India in 2002-03, and Greg Chappell’s underarm delivery against New Zealand in 1981 that caused international outrage.

Five thousand matches. Fifty-five years. From a wet Melbourne Tuesday to a quiet ground in Dundee. The one-day game may feel overshadowed now, but its greatest days still glow.

What were your memorable moments in these 55 years? 

Karthik. 

12/8/26

9am. 

My 22 Days with Continuous Glucose Monitoring: Lessons from the Libre 2 Plus

 #750 (Wow what a topic to post) ----> "Health is wealth "no wonder our ancestor said!!

Sensor Impregnated stayed good, I need to replace once after 6 days, II one worked 16 days. 

Living with fluctuating blood sugar has always felt like navigating a fog—guessing, reacting, and hoping for the best. That changed when I started continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) with the Abbott FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus. Over 22 days, this small sensor on my arm delivered roughly 2,600 data points, painting a real-time picture of how my body responds to food, activity, and daily life. Here’s what I learned, what surprised me, and where I’m headed next.

What CGM Actually Is—and Why It Helps

Unlike finger-stick tests that give isolated snapshots, a CGM measures glucose in interstitial fluid every few minutes, 24/7. The Libre 2 Plus is a small disc worn on the upper arm; you scan it with a phone or reader for instant readings, trends, and alerts for highs and lows. It shows arrows indicating direction and speed of change, plus historical graphs.

The power is in the patterns. Instead of wondering why I felt tired or energetic, I saw the cause in numbers. Spikes, dips, and recovery times became visible. This feedback loop is transformative for anyone managing diabetes or prediabetes—it turns abstract advice into personal data. You stop guessing and start adjusting with evidence.

What the 22 Days Revealed

Activity Log. (I bought a kitchen scale to weigh food) 

Across those days I kept a detailed activity and food log alongside the sensor data. The results were eye-opening. Classic South Indian staples—idli, dosa, and poha—sent my readings soaring close to 300 mg/dL. The rise was sharp and the recovery slow. Protein-focused meals, which I expected to keep things steady, still produced higher numbers than I anticipated. Even “healthy” choices weren’t automatically safe.

Sample of Log...

One sample day (24 July) captured the range clearly: morning readings around 145–201 mg/dL, a sharp jump to 293 mg/dL mid-morning, then a gradual decline through the afternoon into the 90s and low 100s. The color-coded logbook made the story obvious—greens for steadier periods, orange for concerning highs, arrows showing rising or falling trends. Over the full 22 days the pattern repeated: carbohydrate-heavy breakfasts and snacks drove the biggest excursions, while consistent movement helped blunt the peaks.

I average around 20,000 steps daily. That volume of walking is excellent for insulin sensitivity, yet it also demands steady energy. The CGM data forced a practical question: what can I eat that keeps glucose in a safer range and fuels that activity without the crash?

Practical Adjustments and Next Steps

Today I met my internal medicine doctor, Dr. Srividya. She reviewed the Libre data and activity log and adjusted my medications accordingly. Her guidance was clear and evidence-based—exactly the kind of conversation CGM enables. We’ll monitor how the new regimen interacts with my readings over the coming weeks.

The timing is imperfect. Next week I head to the United States, where portion sizes are larger, sugar hides in nearly everything, and temptation is constant. I’ll need extra vigilance: scanning frequently, choosing protein and fiber first, and treating the Libre as my non-negotiable travel companion.

On the brighter side, my weight has stayed stable—or even dropped a kilogram—since arriving in India, after losing a solid 10 pounds in the US. I’m now in the borderline-normal range, which is encouraging, but it also means I must avoid swinging into underweight or malnutrition territory. The goal is steady energy and metabolic health, not endless restriction.

Looking Ahead

CGM doesn’t replace medical care, but it dramatically improves the quality of that care. Seeing nearly 2,600 real-time data points removed the mystery and replaced it with actionable insight. Idli and dosa taught me humility; protein meals taught me nuance; 20,000 daily steps taught me that fuel and glucose control must work together.

The next phase is refinement—finding the foods that keep numbers calmer while still powering long walks, navigating American food culture without undoing progress, and staying in the healthy weight zone. The Libre 2 Plus has already proved its value. Now the real work begins: turning 22 days of data into lasting habits.

Take care

Karthik

11/8/26

1630 Hrs.

Homecoming on Smooth Highways: A Week in Tamil Nadu

 #749

The Pond @Karaikudi (near our old home) in 1967, as 4 year old, I threatened to jump in to rather than going to school, while waiting for the School van!!! 

I am back in Bangalore today after a week-long journey through Tamil Nadu, a trip that felt both familiar and newly invigorating. What began as a visit to Karaikudi, my hometown, expanded into Trichy (Lalitha’s hometown), Velankanni, Swamimalai, temples around Tanjore, and a stop in Madurai. It was a week of family, temples, memory, and quiet surprises.

We travelled with Lalitha’s siblings to the Basilica of Our Lady of Velankanni, that enduring place of faith by the sea. From there the road led us to Swamimalai, where we began arrangements for Samarth’s first birthday rituals according to Hindu tradition. The ceremonies are planned for the end of November, soon after we return from the United States on 22 November. A few temples near Tanjore rounded out the spiritual circuit. For someone who has been visiting these places for thirty years, the familiarity is comforting; the priests still recognise us, and the visits proceeded with the ease that only long acquaintance brings.

The emotional centre of the trip was Gayathri Niwas in Karaikudi. We had planned only a day, yet stayed three. The house has stood largely unoccupied since my father passed in 2017 and was locked after my mother’s departure in 2021. The top floor, once let out under a caretaker arrangement for Amma, is now vacant by choice. My children want to spend a few days there in November—after roughly twenty-five years—so we set about cleaning and sprucing the place. Dust, locked rooms, and the quiet of long absence gave way to the practical work of making a home ready again. Standing outside the gate one afternoon, I bumped into a few of Appa’s old colleagues. They stopped, recollected, and smiled. One sentiment repeated itself: Dad was like a jackfruit—rough, prickly, and thorny on the outside, yet all sweetness within. The same recollection surfaced at Shankar Mutt, where he had once served as treasurer. Memory, it seems, softens the edges.

In Madurai we called on my cousin, the accidental “sick guy”  / Dog bite guy of the family. This time his wife of forty-five years was the person we had to call for her health. Expect the unexpected, as the saying goes; the visit was warmer and more complete with a 5 course lunch she cooked (Friday Speical) than the usual courtesy call.

What surprised me most were the roads. Across roughly 1,400 kilometres of state highways the surface felt like a carpet ride: almost no digs, no diversions, tolls that worked smoothly. The stretch from Madurai outskirts toward Trichy was especially striking—a new dedicated highway of about fifty kilometres, opened earlier this year, including an elevated section of roughly fifteen kilometres. We sailed through it like a whistle. For someone who has lost too many friends and colleagues to road accidents, and who carries the professional burden of road-safety awareness, the improvement is both welcome and sobering. I still hesitate to trust Indian roads for journeys much beyond a hundred kilometres; the Vande Bharat experience (even in executive class) only reinforced the preference for controlled travel—screaming mobile phones and restless children remain part of the Indian rail soundtrack. Wonder what my options are?? 

Other quiet improvements registered. Home-cooked food is available almost everywhere, including in Karaikudi—a small shock that made me think how much Amma would have savoured it. Temples appeared cleaner; conversations with priests suggested less of the old friction and more positive notes about the present administration with less Anti Brahmin feeling and hate. The heat was relentless, a surprise for July, yet power cuts were absent, so we managed the stay without the old summer ordeal.

Catching up with classmates, neighbours and friends at various stops was pure pleasure. Lalitha, meanwhile, had long conversations with her sisters and brother, updating the family ledger of Trichy life. The week closed with the quiet knowledge that the calendar has already started ticking toward the next departure: Father’s ninth-anniversary rituals on 7 August, then packing for San Francisco a few days later.

Tamil Nadu this time felt both changed and unchanged—better roads, cleaner temples, the same enduring pull of home and memory. Gayathri Niwas waits, cleaned and ready for the children’s return in November. And somewhere between the elevated highway and the jackfruit recollection, the week settled into something simple and lasting: a homecoming that still feels like one.

Karthik.

2/8/26 1715 Hrs. Amritkala, Bangalore. 

Great to catch up with Ananth my Direct Report (Monsanto 2006) at Trichy over lunch. 

Vedic Chants at a Spruced up Gayathri Niwas on occasion of Guru Purnima. Mom would have loved it. 

Mom's younger Sister Savithri only female sibling alive.. (Joke was that Mom, Vijaya, was named Savithri in school (1948) after her as uncle who took her mistakenly identified) 

Velankanni, Thanks Giving for Samarth/ Maithri. 

Staunch Anti Modi (Loathes Modi) and Staunch Pro Modi sharing idly vada hahahhah! Their Wives are sisters!!! heheheh! Dr Ravishankar. (Nuclear / Radiation Emergency expert). 

Great to Catch up AR Venkatesh, he lives 2km from home at Malleswaram, but we meet at Trichy after year or so!! hahah! 

Bumped in to Schoolmate at Karaikudi Hotel, Sengiah and I did +2 in 1980. (He recognised me!)..!!! He now settled in Karaikudi after stint in Abhu-Dhabi. 

Gayathri Niwas, built July 1971, Named after my sister.