There is something about the sound of screeching tyres and roaring engines that results in an instant boost of adrenaline. This is the intrinsic love for racing that's in every individual's DNA, causing one to explore what lies beyond the boundaries of the possible. Racing is the sport that acknowledges this desire. This was stated at the launch of the Amaron Karting Challenge.

Racing is more than just a sport. It is the innate desire in individuals to excel. And that is the core purpose of this Challenge � to get people to discover their potential and move in the direction of their unique calling!

At a function in Chennai last week, I had the opportunity to listen to an intellectually stimulating oration by Lena Tamizhvanan. He proved to be the chip of the old block. At the very outset he informed the audience that he was given ten minutes time to speak and that nobody need to remind him of the allotted time. Yes, he was there with a stop watch. Every three minutes, he would announce to those present about the remaining time at his disposal.

Former Union Minister Su Thirunavukkarasar, M P was presiding over the function. Referring to the endless speeches of politicians, Lena said, normally they would never end their speech, whatever be the provocation. However in one meeting, on receiving and reading a small message, a politician instantly stopped his speech. And what was that message? It said, 'Mr. Leader, the crowd brought by us is seeking overtime and biriyani. It would cost not less than a thousand rupees.' To this, the ever alert Thirunavukkarasar responded by saying that it would take minimum fifteen minutes for politicians like him even to warm up.



In the same function, Nalli Kuppuswami Chettiar referred to his association with Lena�s father, Thamizhvanan. He shared a new information and said Thamizhvanan was an astrologer who could predict the future with cent per cent precision. He narrated his own experience in this regard.

I watched the inauguration of the Beijing Olympics live on TV. One thing that struck me was the revolution the digital camera has brought about in our daily lives. Almost every one of the fifteen thousand athletes at the march-past was holding a still camera or a handy-cam. They were capturing the precious moments for posterity. I also felt that true to its motto, the Bird's Nest was indeed one world. Our forefathers had long long back said that our world is one family, Vasudaiva Kutumbakam.

H.Ramakrishnan