The Para Asian Games @ Aichi Nagoya.

As the continental event came to a close today, the country has registered a historic haul and secured the 4th place in the overall medal tally.

More reward with lower strength

Despite 168 para-athletes for this edition, which was nearly half the contingent size that went to the Hangzhou Games in 2023, India returned with 114 medals, the breakdown of which is given below :-

          * Gold                   30

          * Silver                  35

          * Bronze                49

In the previous edition, India had sent309 para-athletes and they finished fifth on the medal tally with 101 medals, including 29 gold, 31 silver and 51 bronze behind China, japan and Uzbekistan.

Highest single-day haul yesterday

* Yesterday, India collected nine gold medals, their highest single-day haul in the ongoing edition, with 

   top finishes registered in archery, shooting, badminton and athletics.

* Athletics, as always, ended up being the driving force snaring 65 medals in all, 12 more than 2023.

Don't leave anything for later...

Later, the coffee gets cold.

Later, you lose interest.

Later, the day turns into

night.

Later, people grow up.

Later, people grow old.

Later, life goes by.

Later, you regret not

doing something

when you had the

chance. 

Growth of core sectors.

Production in key infrastructure industries rose to 7.9% in September, the fastest pace under the new series, official data showed yesterday.

Among segments, iron ore output rose by 18.4%, electricity by 11.4%, coal by 10.7% and refinery products by 10.3%, the data showed. Cement production rose 9.8% and steel by 4.9% in September compared with the same period last year.

However, fertilisers (-11.7%), natural gas (-4.6%) and crude oil (-1.4%) output fell during the month under review.

The core sector expanded by 3.19% in September last year and 5.9% in Aug '26, according to the government data.

My take

A good show when compared with the prevalent uncertainties, within the country and without!

Back @ The Quarterdeck.

Our day began at 4, this morning, we went through the chores and were ready by a quarter past 6. Monish, our sa'arathi came in by a half past 6 and we set off soon after. Were helped in loading the car by our caretaker.

Stopped at the Nagaraja kshetram at Randalummoodu as is our normal custom.

His younger son, Aniyan had fetched up from Saudi Arabia earlier in the morning and he, too, had dropped by to meet us and take our blessings. He should be with his folks over the next 45 days! He has got much of the family's debt cleared with his earnings and looks after his parents.

We'd shaped our course toward the Sri Parthasarathy temple at Aranmula, where Lekha wanted to do the "matha thekoing" and we'd a wonderful darshan by about 8. Had breakfast soon after.

The drive was fine and we passed Ponkunnam, Perumbavoor, Muvattupuzha vis Thrissur.

Lunch was had at the Gokula Nandana, 9 km north of Angamali.

Reached The Quarterdeck by 4 and the opening up of the house, unpacking and seeing off our sa'arathi were quickly done without delay.

It was a quiet evening when we watched our favourite serials on television.

Tailpiece.

It rained at Guruvayur around 7.

Dussehra.

Dasha Hara is a Sanskrit word which means removal of ten bad qualities within you :-

* Ahankara                                       Ego

* Amanavta                                      Cruelty

* Anyaaya                                        Injustice

* Kaama vaasana                             Lust

* Krodha                                          Anger

* Lobha                                           Greed

* Mada                                            Over Pride

* Matsara                                         Jealousy

* Moha                                            Attachment

* Swartha                                        Selfishness

Hence, also known as "Vijayadashami" signifying "Vijaya" over these ten bed qualities.

Happy Vijayadashami!

Happy Dussehra!

Forget it.....

Forget the Bucket List. That's for people who want to swim with the dolphins, climb mountains and find themselves in Nepal.

I've been to Nepal, seen a bit of the world and spent half my life wondering what the bloody hell I'm supposed to be looking for.

Turns out, I ain't trying to find myself anymore. I'm trying to find my glasses, remember why I walked into the kitchen and work out why everything hurts when I get up.

So, here's my Forget it list.

1. Impressing people I don't like

    Years of wearing the right suit, saying the right things and nodding at people talking absolute 

     bollocks.     

    Forget it.

    If you're talking bollocks, I'll probably tell you.

2. Going places because I feel obliged.

    Weddings, parties, dinners with people I barely know.

    Forget it.

    I've got a sofa, a television and a cat who thinks I'm an employee.

3. Understanding modern technology

    Apparently my fridge connects to the internet. Why? Is it lonely? Does it want to meet other

    fridges?

   Forget it.

   Just keep the milk cold.

4. Worrying what people think.

    At 20, I wanted everyone to like me.

    At 40, I wanted everyone to respect me.

    At 60, I've realised half of them weren't thinking about me anyway.

    Forget it.

    That's 40 years of unnecessary administration.

5. Saving things for special occasions.

    The expensive whisky. The good shoes. The nice plates.

    Forget it.

    What's the special occasion? My funeral?

6. Winning every argument.

    Once I'd spend hours proving someone. Now, if someone tells me the Earth is flat, which side

    Australia is on.

    Forget it.

    Life is too short to argue with idiots.

7. Acting my age.

    Apparently, I'm supposed to enjoy gardening, sensible shoes and discussing cholesterol.

   Forget it.

   I still laugh at inappropriate jokes and behave like a teenager.

   Only difference is, now I need two days to recover.

8. Waiting until retirement.

    Work hard. Save money, enjoy life when you retire.

    But nobody guarantees you'll get there. Or that your knees will still work.

    Forget it.

    I'm enjoying mine now.

A tryst with the goddess.

Our day began at 4 AM thanks to our religious foray this morning. Went through our chores, lit up the puja room lamp, recited my prayers, bath and were ready by a quarter past 6. However, Monish, our sa'arthi fetched up by 7; he'd washed down the car with four buckets of water and we set off on our journey.

Picked up Lekha's sister, Letha from her home and resumed our journey.

Reached the Kattil Mekkanath temple at the coast off Karunagappally. Despite the fact that today was "pooja veyppu", the crowd was much less and manageable. Had a quick bite of breakfast of dosas, sambar washed down with a good cup of coffee.

Had a very good 'darshan' of the Goddess and we were on our return trip soon after.

Reached Kottarakkara, picked up our lunch and were at home by 1. 

Lunch, watched television for a while followed by siesta.

The evening chores and did Lekha's monthly 'aarathi' with the silver coin.

Tomorrow morning, we shall be off to toothy Mallan's clinic at Muhamma to fix my right dental bridge and for Lekha's review.

On completion, we shall return to Raj Nivas and proceed to Guruvayur on Wednesday morning.