Monday, 2 May 2016

Holiday, Monday 02 May 2016


No CW today in the online and print editions. Presumably due to May Day yesterday. Too late to set up a special for today.

PS: The blog may not appear on 4th and 5th as I am off to Bandipur on a holiday where internet connectivity may not be there as per the advisory given on the website of the resort. I am not asking anyone else to blog on those days as some setters have complained about other setters blogging/commenting on their CWs, which I personally feel is unwarranted.


Posted by at
Labels: , ,

53 comments:

  1. Vasant2 May 2016 at 07:30

    Disappointment!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Suresh2 May 2016 at 07:36

    Absolutely unwarranted. I agree with you Deepak.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ramani2 May 2016 at 07:53

    :(

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kolluru Koteswara Rao2 May 2016 at 08:08

    I find no reason for the setters to be offended. If the clue is written badly, the setter should explain/justify it or simply own it. Anyway, it is not in good taste.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Padmanabhan2 May 2016 at 08:28

    Agree with above views. I don't think there has been any unwarranted comment in any blog.
    Disappointed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Raghunath2 May 2016 at 09:46

      Agree.

      Good luck Col for tiger sighting, in case that is your purpose. You'll need lots of it.

      Delete
    2. Suresh2 May 2016 at 10:13

      Good luck for ANIMAL sighting. Even that has become rare at Mudumalai and Bandipur may not be much better.

      In the region perhaps one of the best is BR Hills at Jungle Resorts.

      Delete
    3. Deepak Gopinath2 May 2016 at 10:49

      Thanks, the idea is to cool off for a couple of days. Animals if any sighted will be a bonus.

      Delete
    4. Raghunath2 May 2016 at 11:07

      I can guess how you'd be cooling off. Hic!

      Delete
    5. Deepak Gopinath2 May 2016 at 11:10

      Hic! Hic!

      Delete
  6. Padmanabhan2 May 2016 at 08:41

    Here is ET CW for those who are interested:
    http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Gallery.aspx?id=02_05_2016_017_010_002&type=P&artUrl=Crossword-02052016017010&eid=31815

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chaturvasi2 May 2016 at 11:06

      I mentioned that ET is repeating the same given set of crosswords every few years. The above crossword is the same as 5157 in ET (Bng) dated 15-2-2013. We can calculate when its next appearance will be.

      Delete
    2. Kolluru Koteswara Rao2 May 2016 at 11:06

      Thanks Padmanabhan for the fodder.
      7D was good

      Delete
  7. Padmanabhan2 May 2016 at 08:44

    ...and today's Guardian cryptic- of course not by Rufus!
    https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26873

    ReplyDelete
  8. ranger2 May 2016 at 09:31

    Feel sorry to hear your comments Deepak. Ramesh is the only setter who is blogging on Saturdays, and both of you are doing a commendable job. I do not know why any setter should object. Why don't you ask the setter/setters concerned to run the blog for a week and they will know what it takes. What a shame!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Suresh2 May 2016 at 10:23

    Thanks for bringing the undercurrents into the open, Deepak.

    I, for one believe that everyone, including setters should be free to comment on the crosswords. It is, of course, essential that the comments are not offensive, nor personal. Deepak, as the owner of the blog has ensured that the comments on the blog do not go overboard or offensive to anybody.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Kolluru Koteswara Rao2 May 2016 at 10:40

    I visited Bandipur few years back. We haven't found any tigers. We stayed overnight in their lodges. There is no power either in the nights. You will perhaps be provided with some gaslights. You may see several deers and bisons. But you should really be lucky to see tigers.
    Of course, you will find on the notice board in the lodge, the date on which tiger was last spotted (It will be always recent date!).
    Have a safe trip!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Raghunath2 May 2016 at 11:06

      For those crazy about seeing tigers like me, Ranthambore is the best bet. Assuredly you cannot cool off in 45 C heat.

      Delete
    2. Deepak Gopinath2 May 2016 at 11:09

      But, a tiger like you can be seen in Hyderabad, why go to Ranthambore :-)

      Delete
    3. Raghunath2 May 2016 at 11:13

      I am confused. A tiger you like or 'a tiger like you?

      Delete
    4. Suresh2 May 2016 at 11:22

      Are you in Ranathambore, Raghy

      Delete
    5. Suresh2 May 2016 at 11:23

      That should read Raghu.

      Delete
    6. Deepak Gopinath2 May 2016 at 11:27

      Raghu you had written
      Quote
      For those crazy about seeing tigers like me, ...
      Unquote
      hence my remark

      Delete
    7. Padmanabhan2 May 2016 at 11:30

      Visited recently, if I remember right.

      Delete
    8. Raghunath2 May 2016 at 11:34

      Paddy that was Gir for lions. First week of June will be in Ranthambore.

      Delete
    9. Raghunath2 May 2016 at 11:35

      Col, punctuation makes a lot of difference

      Delete
    10. RameshJ2 May 2016 at 12:23

      We saw tigers in Pench(MP side not the Maharashtra side). From what I hear, Kanha & Bandhavgarh have the best chances of spotting a tiger.

      Delete
    11. Raghunath2 May 2016 at 12:32

      Visited Kanha last year. Saw a couple of tigers. My best bet is still Ranthambore.

      Delete
    12. Suresh2 May 2016 at 12:47

      Have you been to Sudarbans, Raghu. The only problem there seems to be that the tiger may see you before you see it.

      Delete
    13. Raghunath2 May 2016 at 13:24

      Yes the mangrove forest makes it tough to spot. Most of them are maneaters

      Delete
  11. Deepak Gopinath2 May 2016 at 10:47

    The very fact the Crossword is in the public domain in a national newspaper, I don't see why any body cannot comment or write a blog on the CW, be it a setter or non-setter. At least he or she is being open about it and not blogging or commenting as 'Unknown' or under a new identity.
    In any case whatever comments are made should be taken as positive criticism and if any setter feels otherwise they ares welcome to put forth their point of view and not take offence. All setters have been doing this in the past.
    Any personal attacks of course are not welcome and will be removed by me without assigning any reason. As regards unsubstantiated comments we have had the same only once and that too in the recent past and that has now been put to rest with the commenter offering reasons.

    ReplyDelete
  12. RameshJ2 May 2016 at 12:16

    I think we, as setters, should stop being so sensitive. Each clue/CW stands on its own merit. Similarly each question about a clue/CW stands on its own merit. It is an open forum, Setters can present their counters to any questions raised from the pulpit or from the comments section. The readers of this blog are capable of making up their minds as to whose argument they favour

    For my part I reviewed my posts & have found nothing that any one should object to (If some one has has an objection, please point out the post & I shall take a closer look at it). Most of the time, I do not seem to be making any comments about the CW as a whole. I shall make an effort to add some more comments to each CW.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Col_Gopinath2 May 2016 at 12:25

    Thanks to everyone for all the supportive comments

    ReplyDelete
  14. Kishore2 May 2016 at 12:32

    I am fine with any setter or non-setter blogging/commenting on my clues/puzzles

    ReplyDelete
  15. Bhavan2 May 2016 at 13:11

    Colonel, I'm willing to blog the puzzles on 4th and 5th unless the setters on those days have any specific objection.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ramani2 May 2016 at 13:26

      What about 3rd i.e., tomorrow?

      Delete
    2. Ramani2 May 2016 at 13:27

      Col will be there?

      Delete
    3. Deepak Gopinath2 May 2016 at 19:16

      Yes I will blog on 3rd. I have accepted the offer from Bhavan and he will be blogging on 4th and 5th so there will be no break in the blog

      Delete
    4. Mukundala Balasubramanyam2 May 2016 at 19:54

      Hurrah!!!

      Delete
    5. Mukundala Balasubramanyam2 May 2016 at 19:58

      ...and the sad part of it is, I will be at Nellore on those days with no inter-net connectivity!

      Delete
    6. Mukundala Balasubramanyam2 May 2016 at 20:00

      ...hence thanking Buzzer in advance!

      Delete
  16. Srivathsan2 May 2016 at 13:32

    It's sad to note this. As one of the younger setters, I have always looked forward to these comments and have actually felt disappointed when the the number of comments drops (irrespective of whether positive or otherwise). I think it motivates setters to improve. And more importantly highlight a perspective that might not have occurred to the setter while setting. Glad to see from the comments above that this is just an aberration and not the majority opinion.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. raju umamaheswar2 May 2016 at 14:37

      Attaboy ! Sri-santahnam ! That's the spirit !
      Deepak: There was a time in Kenya, when I used to visit the game parks, herds of elephants were seen facing us and moving forward. Alas, after much deforestation and eco-damages, drought etc, you would be lucky to see even one ! I always used to quip with my guests taken there, that there is always one elephant that would be produced by the rangers as an official of the reserve who would greet us and other tourists to whet the appetite for game-viewing !

      Any way, Happy holidays, chill off literally with a few of the best, to liven up the 'spirits '.

      As for protests by fellow setters, isn't it a national pastime these days to be an 'intolerant'contrarian? Democrazy, whither thy future?



      Delete
  17. Srivathsan2 May 2016 at 13:35

    Also, has this absence of Crossword happened before? On a day when the newspaper was delivered? I've seen the newspaper itself absent, but this is a first for me.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Padmanabhan2 May 2016 at 15:33

    It has happened before, even very recently when Col. came up with a special. You can't put it past TH for anything these days. At least they could have inserted a small note of regret or an announcement about the reason ( like holiday announcement). I think, as readers, we deserve this basic courtesy.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Padmanabhan2 May 2016 at 15:36

    Col. I feel you may accept Bhavan's offer to blog on the 2 days in view of the vociferous universal support.

    ReplyDelete
  20. CPC2 May 2016 at 19:37

    I thought setters were above all this !! Anyway vote +1 for continuation. Any 'constructive' criticism should be ok i guess and 'destructive'/abuse can anyway be ignored. Echoing the sentiments of the above - nothing new - but wanted to write this anyway. The blog and the comments is/are FAB.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Deepak Gopinath2 May 2016 at 19:46

    Copy of mail sent to me by VP
    Quote
    Col,
    Saw your blog post from this morning. As per TH cycle, my puzzle may appear on one of the days. If it does, just wanted to reiterate I have no issues with anyone commenting/blogging about it. THCC is the only forum where I get feedback about the puzzle, so I personally welcome all comments.

    Hope things are great at your end. Wishing you have a good time in Bandipur.
    Regards,
    -VP
    Unquote

    ReplyDelete
  22. Deepak Gopinath2 May 2016 at 19:47

    Once again thanks to each and everyone of you for your comments and supposrt

    ReplyDelete
  23. Vasant2 May 2016 at 21:54

    I have been following this blog for the last 6 years & for me it is one of the most wonderful blogs...whatever i have learnt about cryptics is through this blog....& all comments especially by the bloggers are positive & never ever otherwise...hence most astonished by some setter expressing reservations..

    ReplyDelete
  24. Chaturvasi3 May 2016 at 07:08

    I am a setter and I have absolutely no problem in any setter/reader blogging on my crossword and commenting and writing critiques of my clues.
    In all these years I have always apologised if a mistake that was pointed out was indeed a mistake. The crossword goes through multiple checks esp because we setters don't have the luxury of a 'test solver'. However, on rare occasions. despite multiple checks a mistake might get into print. This happens even in UK newspapers where there is a so-called 'crossword editor'. When I read somewhere about the functions of this person, I was surprised because he does not solve the grids or vet the clues for errors. As for the danger of the same individual (setter) repeatedly checking his work, here's what Pasquale (Don Manley) said recently under a blog on his crossword: "Of course you can check your clues again and again and still miss the obvious. Sorry for the confusion."
    As a follower of this blog from Day One, I don't think anyone has objected to critical remarks on the crosswords. THC is in the public domain and whatever is out there can be subjected to scrutiny. I don't think any THC setter would have problem with that.
    I wonder if there was any misunderstanding somewhere. We need not know or go into which setter did not want other setters commenting on his puzzles and where this complaint was made, but I as a reader will not hold back any Comment that I think I should make but that will be with full sense of responsibility.
    Even in the latest Sun Spl I commented about a deletion component. If a criticism that I make turns out to be invalid, I will not hesitate to apologise.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bhavan3 May 2016 at 07:34

      +1. All valid points and echo my own sentiments.

      Delete

deepakgita@gmail.com

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)