The Icing On The Cupcake

Its official now. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation is responsible for turning a once clean Nag river into a stinking, heavily-polluted nullah.

Sports have become another arena–literally–for the struggle over
womens rights in Islamic societies. Two recent developments suggest
progress in allowing women to participate more fully. First, soccers
top rule-making body last month reversed a ban on female players wearing headscarves. The ban attracted significant attention last year when the Iranian womens soccer team, whose players wore headscarves, was disqualified from a match against Jordan. The disqualification dashed the teams hopes of appearing in this summers London Olympics.

Other Muslimfemale athletes, though, have a better chance of
competing in London because of the second development: apparent
decisions by Brunei and Saudi Arabia to send their first-ever female
athletes to the Olympics. (Qatar has never fielded a female Olympian
either.) According to the International Herald Tribune, Brunei has formally nominated Maziah Mahusin,
a sprinter, for the games. Meanwhile, Prince Nayef, the crown prince
and likely future king of Saudi Arabia, this week agreed to allow Saudi women to compete
in sports that suit the nature and decency of women and dont conflict
with Islamic law teachings, according to Bloomberg. The New York Times reports that equestrian Dalma Rushdi Malhas is a possible candidate for the Saudi team.

The moves by the soccer authorities and the Saudi government are
driven by a combination of outside pressure, regional upheaval, womens
demands, and support–or at least acquiescence–from within the Islamic
world. As for pressure, Human Rights Watch released a report last month
that forcefully criticizes an effective ban on womens participation
in national competitive sports in Saudi Arabia. The report notes a
shortage of physical education classes for girls and scant opportunities
for women to compete in individual or team sports, whether informally
within the Kingdom or in an official capacity abroad. It points out that
Saudi Arabia lags behind even Brunei and Qatar since, unlike those
countries, it has never sent female athletes to any regional or
international competition.

Prince Nayef is not driving the effort to send Saudi women to the
Olympics, but he appears to be allowing it. He is often seen as a
hardliner and maintains close relationships with religious
conservatives. Indeed, he opposed last years decision to allow women to vote in the 2015 municipal elections.
However, Prince Nayef is pragmatic if nothing else; he seeks to
maintain his authority and that of the royal family. As attitudes toward
womens rights change (slowly) in the Kingdom, Prince Nayefs instinct
for self-preservation should push him to go along. The decision to
designate a female Saudi Olympian, if finalized, would fit this pattern.

In the soccer case, the instigator has been Prince Ali bin Al Hussein
of Jordan, who serves on the executive committee of FIFA, the global
football association. Prince Ali presented the case for overturning the headscarf ban
before last months decision. He has argued that the ban is not an
issue of religious symbolism, it is simply a case of cultural modesty.
The availability of a Dutch-designed headscarf,
whose Velcro fastener is considered safer than earlier models, also
helped. The March decision allows headscarves to be worn on a trial
basis while the design is tested. It must still be confirmed in July.
But the Associated Press reports that Prince Ali is optimistic about ratification.

The context underlying all this is the upheaval of the past year in
the Arab world. With citizens–including women–forcefully demanding
accountability and rights, leaders have become acutely sensitive to
popular desires for change, even in relatively tranquil countries such
as Jordan and Saudi Arabia. This bodes well for expanding womens access
to the athletic arena.

This article originally appeared at CFR.org, an Atlantic partner site.

March 22, 2012

News Release

KOKOMO, Ind. — Men’s and women’s cross-country will be added to competitive sports this fall at Indiana University Kokomo, building on a successful athletic program as the campus seeks membership of the NAIA conference.

These two programs bring the number of team sports to four in just one short year since Chancellor Michael Harris announced IU Kokomo would start an athletic program.

“These teams will enhance student life, as well as continue to bring the campus and community together to rally around students who wish to continue in athletics,” said Jack Tharp, vice chancellor for student services and interim athletic director.

“We are excited to debut these two new teams during the fall competition season.”

Students who join cross-country will quickly become the campus’s most visible athletes, training not only on campus, but also on roads and trails and in parks throughout the city. A search is underway for a cross-country coach, and students interested in being recruited for the teams can e-mail kosports@iuk.edu.

Thursday’s announcement capped a year that included the first seasons for women’s volleyball and men’s basketball. Tharp is hopeful to begin the second year of team sports by joining the NAIA. The association visited campus in February and will announce its decision in April.

The addition of the cross-country program is a step to fulfill the NAIA requirement of having six varsity sports within four years of joining.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

Source: Indiana University Kokomo

Some North Carolina homeowners are seeing premium increases this year due to a fire rating change. And North Carolina officials say those increases in insurance premiums stem from the use of technology by insurers and not a change in public policy.

When it comes to calculating a homeowner’s premium, an insurance company uses a fire rating that is based on the homeowner’s proximate to a fire station. The North Carolina Department of insurance is in charge of developing maps to lay out those districts based on the location of a fire station.

Now, however, insurers are becoming less reliant on the maps by using global positioning systems to more accurately determine a property owner’s distance from a fire station, which is translating into some homeowners paying higher premiums.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin said that homeowners should look to insurers to complain about those increases because they are not due to any action by the department.

“As a result of this new technology, some policies that insurance companies wrote as being in the rated areas are now being written as outside a rated district,” he said. “The premium increases area based on that technology and are not a result of changes in policy or maps by the department.”

In North Carolina, the fire districts are based on a standard commonly used across the country whereby homes located less than five miles from a responding fire station are considered to be in a rated district. Properties located outside the district pay higher premiums based on the premise that the longer it takes firefighters to respond to a fire the more damaged will be done to the property.

In 1999, North Carolina moved to create extended districts that moved the line from five to six miles. Sixty-two counties implemented extended districts resulting in 725 of the state’s 1,213 fire departments seeing improved insurance ratings. Although the department lays out the districts using road miles, how the ratings are applied to individual homeowners is determined by insurance companies.

PISCATAWAY, NJ, Mar 12, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) –
Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

/quotes/zigman/71584/quotes/nls/enzn ENZN
+2.81%

today announced its
financial results for the fourth-quarter and full-year 2011. For the
three months ended December 31, 2011, Enzon reported a loss from
continuing operations of $5.0 million, or $0.10 per diluted share,
compared to a loss from continuing operations of $9.6 million, or
$0.16 per diluted share, for the three months ended December 31,
2010. For the full year ended December 31, 2011, Enzon reported a
loss from continuing operations of $20.8 million, or $0.40 per
diluted share, compared to a loss from continuing operations of $2.8
million, or $0.05 per diluted share, for the full year ended December
31, 2010.

2011 Highlights

— In December, at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Enzon
presented data from a Phase II study in which PEG-SN38 demonstrated
notable activity in patients with previously treated metastatic breast
cancer. Study investigators concluded that PEG-SN38 warrants further
clinical study in metastatic breast cancer. Enzon is currently seeking
a strategic partner to further develop and commercialize PEG-SN38 in
breast cancer as well as in other malignancies; absent such a
partnership, the Company does not intend to fund further development
of PEG-SN38.

— In November, at the 2011 AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on
Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, Enzon presented clinical
and preclinical data from three messenger RNA (mRNA) product
candidates based on the Company’s locked nucleic acid (LNA) technology
program. Data presented were from a Phase I study of EZN-3042 in
combination with docetaxel targeting Survivin mRNA, a preclinical
study of EZN-3920 targeting HER3 mRNA, and a preclinical study of
EZN-3892 targeting ß-catenin mRNA.

— At the 2011 American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual
Meeting in April, Enzon presented data from two preclinical and two
clinical studies of four investigational mRNA antagonists,
demonstrating the compounds’ potential to inhibit key tumor targets.

— In September, Enzon announced a reduction in force, which will reduce
the number of employees to fewer than 50 by June 2012. Enzon expects
the reduction in force to result in approximately $6.0 million in
reduced annualized operating expenses once the plan is fully
implemented by the second quarter of 2012.

Summary of Financial Results

Royalty Revenue

Revenues received from the Company's royalty products for the three
months ended December 31, 2011 were $9.8 million, compared to $10.6
million for the three months ended December 31, 2010. For the full
year 2011, royalty revenues were $40.9 million, compared to $44.9
million for the full year 2010. Royalties on PEGINTRON, marketed by
Merck & Co., Inc., continue to comprise the majority of the Company's
royalty revenue and a reported decline in sales of PEGINTRON
accounted for all of the decrease in royalty revenue. In May 2011,
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two new
treatments for chronic hepatitis C, Incivik(TM) and Victrelis(TM).
These treatments are indicated for use in combination with ribavirin
and pegintron alfa. The Company has no clear evidence at this point
what impact, if any, these new therapies for hepatitis C may have on
sales of PEGINTRON.

Research and Development

The Company's pipeline research and development expenses were $9.1
million for the three months ended December 31, 2011, compared to
$14.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010. For the
full year 2011, research and development expenses were $40.2 million,
compared to $49.9 million in 2010. Such expenses in 2010 included an
expense of $7.0 million in milestone payments related to ongoing
advancement of its LNA targets, including three mRNA antagonists:
Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1a (HIF-1a), Survivin, and Androgen Receptor
(AR). In addition, the Company has other novel LNA targets in various
stages of preclinical research.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses decreased to $3.5 million for the
three months ended December 31, 2011, compared to $4.9 million for
the three months ended December 31, 2010. For the full year 2011, the
Company incurred general and administrative expenses of $17.3
million, compared to $25.4 million for the full year 2010. The
decline in 2011 from 2010 was largely the result of several
restructuring programs implemented over the past year, as well as the
effects of our ongoing cost containment efforts.

Cash and Investments

Total cash reserves, which include cash, cash equivalents, short-term
investments, and marketable securities, were $323.3 million as of
December 31, 2011, compared to $460.1 million as of December 31,
2010. The decrease was primarily attributable to Enzon's use of cash
to repurchase shares under its $200.0 million share repurchase
program, which the Company initiated in late December 2010. The
Company purchased a total of 11.5 million shares of its outstanding
common stock for a cumulative cost of $121.5 million through December
2011. During the third quarter of 2011, the Company decided to
suspend the share repurchase program. The Company intends to resume
repurchasing shares of outstanding common stock under this program.
Share repurchases under this program may be made through open market
or privately negotiated transactions at such times and in such
amounts as Enzon deems appropriate, based on a variety of factors
such as price, corporate and regulatory requirements and overall
market conditions. There can be no assurance as to the number of
shares Enzon will purchase, if any. The share repurchase program may
be modified, suspended or terminated at any time without prior
notice.

About Enzon

Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biotechnology company dedicated to
the research and development of innovative therapeutics for cancer
patients with high unmet medical needs. Enzon's drug-development
programs utilize two platforms -- Customized PEGylation Linker
Technology (Customized Linker Technology(R)) and third-generation
mRNA-targeting agents utilizing the Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA)
technology. Enzon currently has four compounds in human clinical
development and multiple novel mRNA antagonists in preclinical
research. Enzon receives royalty revenues from licensing arrangements
with other companies related to sales of products developed using its
proprietary Customized Linker Technology. Further information about
Enzon and this press release can be found on the Company's website at

www.enzon.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains, or may contain, forward-looking
statements within the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in
this press release, other than statements that are purely historical,
are forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of
forward-looking terminology such as the words "believes," "expects,"
"may," "will," "should," "potential," "anticipates," "plans," or
"intends" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this
press release include, but are not limited to: (i) statements
regarding Enzon's intent with respect to funding further development
of PEG-SN38, (ii) statements regarding the reduction in force,
including its expected results, (iii) statements regarding the
possibility of increased sales of PEGINTRON in the future resulting
from the FDA's approval of Incivik(TM) and Victrelis(TM) for chronic
hepatitis C and (iv) statements regarding Enzon's intent to resume
repurchasing shares under its share repurchase program.

Such forward-looking statements are based upon management's present
expectations, objectives, anticipation, plans, hopes, beliefs,
intentions or strategies regarding the future and are subject to
known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results, events or developments to be materially different from those
indicated in such forward-looking statements including but, not
limited, to (i)uncertainty regarding the impact of the reduction in
force on Enzon's results, (ii) uncertainty regarding the impact, if
any, of the FDA's approval of Incivik(TM) and Victrelis(TM) for
chronic hepatitis C on sales of PEGINTRON (iii) uncertainty as to the
number of shares Enzon will purchase, if any, (iv) whether Enzon will
be able to successfully complete the share repurchase program in a
manner that complies with applicable laws and regulations, (v) the
time it may take for Enzon to complete the share repurchase program
and economic and market conditions and (vi) other corporate liquidity
requirements and priorities. A more detailed discussion of these and
other factors that could affect results is contained in Enzon's
filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including
Enzon's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2011. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking
statements. No assurance can be given that the future results covered
by the forward-looking statements will be achieved. All information
in this press release is as of the date of this press release and
Enzon does not intend to update this information.

Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited; In thousands, except per share amounts)

Three months ended
December 31,
2011 2010
Revenues:
Royalties $ 9,782 $ 10,549
Sale of in-process research and development - -
Contract research and development 52 1,845
Miscellaneous revenue 177 124
------------ ------------
Total Revenues 10,011 12,518

Operating Expenses:
Research and development - pipeline 9,135 14,032
Research and development - specialty and
contracted services 48 1,120
General and administrative 3,466 4,905
General and administrative - contracted
services 1 49
Restructuring charges 1,376 2,974
------------ ------------
Total Operating Expenses 14,026 23,080

------------ ------------
Operating Loss (4,015) (10,562)

Other Income (Expense)
Investment income, net 484 573
Interest expense (1,490) (680)
Other-than-temporary impairment loss - -
Other, net - 1,039
------------ ------------
Total Other Income (Expense) (1,006) 932

Loss from continuing operations before taxes (5,021) (9,630)
Income tax benefit - (1)
------------ ------------
Loss from continuing operations (5,021) (9,629)
Income and gain from discontinued operations,
net of taxes - 1,041
------------ ------------

Net Loss $ (5,021) $ (8,588)
============ ============

Loss per common share - continuing operations -
basic and diluted $ (0.10) $ (0.16)
============ ============

Earnings per common share - discontinued
operations - basic and diluted $ - $ 0.02
============ ============

Loss per common share - net loss - basic and
diluted $ (0.10) $ (0.14)
============ ============

Weighted average shares - basic and diluted 48,289 59,747
============ ============

Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited; In thousands, except per share amounts)

Year ended December 31,
2011 2010
Revenues:
Royalties $ 40,923 $ 44,940
Sale of in-process research and development 5,000 40,900
Contract research and development 1,431 9,273
Miscellaneous revenue 718 2,752
------------ ------------
Total Revenues 48,072 97,865

Operating Expenses:
Research and development - pipeline 40,180 49,883
Research and development - specialty and
contracted services 926 7,135
General and administrative 17,281 25,439
General and administrative - contracted
services 115 1,957
Restructuring charges 6,025 14,026
------------ ------------
Total Operating Expenses 64,527 98,440

------------ ------------
Operating Loss (16,455) (575)

Other Income (Expense)
Investment income, net 1,735 3,465
Interest expense (5,929) (6,315)
Other-than-temporary impairment loss - (896)
Other, net 91 1,184
------------ ------------
Total Other Expense (4,103) (2,562)

------------ ------------
Loss from continuing operations before taxes (20,558) (3,137)
Income tax expense (benefit) 205 (337)
------------ ------------
Loss from continuing operations (20,763) (2,800)
Income and gain from discontinued operations,
net of taxes - 180,043
------------ ------------

Net (Loss) Income $ (20,763) $ 177,243
============ ============

Loss per common share - continuing operations -
basic and diluted $ (0.40) $ (0.05)
============ ============

Earnings per common share - discontinued
operations - basic and diluted $ - $ 3.08
============ ============

(Loss) earnings per common share - net (loss)
income - basic and diluted $ (0.40) $ 3.03
============ ============

Weighted average shares - basic and diluted 51,910 58,466
============ ============

Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited; In thousands)

December 31, December 31,
2011 2010
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 104,324 $ 397,530
Marketable securities - available-for-sale 58,188 31,170
Other current assets 2,749 5,916
------------- -------------
Total current assets 165,261 434,616

Property and equipment, net 16,802 21,574
Marketable securities 160,779 31,394
Other assets 367 1,273
------------- -------------

Total Assets $ 343,209 $ 488,857
============= =============

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 1,572 $ 4,192
Accrued expenses and other current
liabilities 13,692 14,195
------------- -------------
Total current liabilities 15,264 18,387
Notes payable 129,499 134,499
Other liabilities 1,265 4,114
------------- -------------
Total Liabilities $ 146,028 $ 157,000

Total Stockholders' Equity $ 197,181 $ 331,857
------------- -------------

Total Liabilities and Stockholders'
Equity $ 343,209 $ 488,857
============= =============

Investor Contact:
Andrea Rabney
Argot Partners
212.600.1902
Email Contact

Media Contact:
Meghan Feeks
Argot Partners
212.600.1902
Email Contact

SOURCE: Enzon Pharmaceuticals

http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/emailprcntct?id=ECC4DD1DC609C88D

http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/emailprcntct?id=04BF66B3FA4EF69F

Copyright 2012 Marketwire, Inc., All rights reserved.

/quotes/zigman/71584/quotes/nls/enzn

Add to portfolio

ENZN

Enzon Pharmaceuticals Inc.

$
6.96

+0.19
+2.81%

Volume: 226,941
March 23, 2012 4:00p

Blue Heron Middle School Principal Tom Kent dusts the school’s trophy case Friday. A chance to add more trophies could occur during the 2012-2013 school year as competitive sports programs are expected to resume. — Photo by Charlie Bermant/Peninsula Daily News

When it comes to (competitive) sports, the annual cross country cycling is at the top of the list as one of the most grueling, with 140 miles of unforgiving terrain. To enter Belizes premier sports competition it requires years of training and top physical and mental shape.

But this year, probably for the first time in the history of the race, one Radio Disc Jockey says, hell ride amongst the professionals, not for the glory or the crown but to raise funds for underprivileged kids.

Alfrain Supal works as a DJ at WAVE Radio and he says hes got two children agencies in mind that he plans on donating all the proceeds from his effort. And today Seven News caught up with him at the Heritage Bank where he was officially opening an account for the cause.

Alfrain Supal

I chose those two schools because, first of all, Stella Maris is one of the only schools in Belize that caters to children with disabilities. The Dorothy Menzies Childrens home is one of the largest childrens home in Belize City. These are schools that are in constant need of resources, man-power and financial assistance.

Jim McFadzean
Why choose the sport of cycling? You arent a professional cyclist.

Alfrain Supal
No, I am not a professional cyclist. In fact, I just started to ride in November of last year. So, I am definitely not a cyclist by profession. I chose cycling because I always loved riding.

Jim McFadzean
First of all, tell us what your training regimen is like and have you, since November, completed the 140 mile course – Belize, San Ignacio, and Back?

Alfrain Supal
My training regimen is simple. I just ride a lot; I stay on my bike. Like you said earlier, I am not a professional cyclist, so what I need to do is stay on my bike, eat healthy, and sleep well. You cant be drinking rum; I dont drink. As far as doing the entire course, the elections slowed me down a lot, but as of today, Ill have to do the gym and everything. The account is here at the Heritage Bank; its under Alfrain Supal Stella Maris Childrens Home. So, wherever you are in the country, you tell them you want to put – Im asking for a dollar. Belizeans, I am asking for 1 dollar to put into this account. I would like to call out all the bigger companies, the people in Belize who are more affluent, who have money, to put in more. The account number is 9 111148. I just went in there, and to be real, I want to show Belizeans that I took my money. The account started with $100, my money.

Currency in Crisis

The G20 meeting this weekend is shaping up to play an important role in addressing the European debt crisis. A senior conservative German member of parliament indicated that the German vote on Greek 2.0 is partly a function of the IMF`s involvement. In earlier euro zone packages the IMF was good for a third of the funds.
In Greek 2.0, the preliminary figures suggested a considerably smaller role. The may be pressure from a greater role for the IMF, but itself may be linked to greater contributions. While Japan and to a lesser extent China appears sympathetic, many other countries, including the US, do not seem prepared. Instead look for some push back on Europes official sector to do more.
Two aspects seem particularly relevant. The first is to allow the EFSF and ESM (which is to be launched in July and had about EUR80 bln in paid up capital) to run concurrently. The EFSF has an estimated EUR250 bln of uncommitted capacity. The secondis to increase the funds available to the ESM, which German is opposed.
In this regard, the international community make take on the quasi-theological position of being more willing to help those that help themselves.
There is understandably much interest in next weeks LTRO. It seems the risk is that it is anti-climactic. Rather than start something it marks the end.
Starting late last year, the major central banks have expanded their balance sheets and in other ways, expanded liquidity. The BOE, BOJ, and PBOC joined the ECB. The Federal Reserve is changing the composition of its balance sheet, but is not expanding it. The second LTRO next week ends this chapter.
Barring QE3 in the US, which we continue not to think is particularly likely, especially in H1, we dont expect additional easing in the coming months. That said, another cut in Chinas reserve requirements in Q2 may be the next move. In any event, the point is that at least this phase of monetary expansionis like nearly over.
Monday, which is typically a slow day, may be more interesting than usual. Two announcements from the ECB will attract attention. First is money supply. In the last report there was some evidence of a credit crunch. The key issue is whether the LTRO in December helpd stabilize the situation.
Among developed countries, the money multiplier has broken down. Growth in central bank balance sheets and high power money has not translated into greater money supply (M1, for example). This is a transmission mechanism that is still not properly functioning.
The ECB will also indicate how mch bonds were settled this week. Recall last week no bonds were settled. This has spurred talk that the SMP program is done.In sme ways, then Draghi has substituted the less controversial LTRO for the sovereign bond purchase program. Two weeks without buying bonds may drive home the point.
At the same time, perhaps it is like QE in the US. Just because te Fed is not presently engaged in long-term asset purchases doesn`t mean that it won`t or will a priori deny itself a tool, which it argues can be effectively deployed.
Monday the German parliament is to vote on Greek 2.0. The cost to Germany is greater than many appreciate. It turns out that Hypo Real Estate that was bailed out in 2008 and nationalizedin 2010 spun off its toxic asets, which included an estimated EUR6-8 bln in Greek bonds, to EMS Wertmanagement, a bad bank, which wharehouses and later packages and sells those assets. Whether it is the federal German agency Soffin or EMS, the PSI is going to cost Germany more money that may have been realized.

Read more posts on Marc to Market »

Domestic helper Swe Swe gets a day off every week. If she has to work on Sunday, say, to help out with a party, she gets a weekday off in lieu.

But having a proper rest day is only one of many reasons she still works for the same employer after 17 years, she says.

According to a survey of 231 maids by the Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ACMI), a day off ranked only seventh out of 10 priorities.

The top priority for maids is getting opportunities for self-improvement, such as attending training classes in English, cooking and hairdressing.

When Rahul Dravid walked into the dressing room of the St Lawrence ground in Canterbury on a cold spring morning, you could tell he was different from all the others. He did not swagger with cockiness or bristle with macho competitiveness. He went quietly round the room, shaking the hand of every Kent player – greeting everyone the same, from the captain to the most junior. It was not the mannered behaviour of a seasoned overseas professional; it was the natural courtesy of a real gentleman. We met a special human being first, an international cricketer second.

The cricketer was pretty good, too. Dravid joined Kent for the 2000 season, and I spent much of it at number four, coming in one after Dravid (not that he was the departing batsman very often). That meant I had some wonderful opportunities to bat alongside the player who became the highest scoring No. 3 of all time.

What did I learn? I learnt that real toughness takes many different forms. Dravid could appear shy and slightly vulnerable off the pitch; in the middle, you sensed a depth of resilience. Many overseas players liked to set themselves apart from the county pros – as though they had to swear more loudly and clap their hands more violently to prove that international cricketers were tougher than the rest. Not Dravid. He never paraded his toughness – it emerged between the lines of his performances. Instead, he always talked about learning, about gathering new experiences – as though his cricketing education wasnt complete, as though there were many more strands of his craft to hone. His journey, you could tell, was driven by self-improvement.

One word has attached itself to Dravid wherever he has gone: gentleman. The word is often misunderstood. Gentlemanliness is not mere surface charm – the easy lightness of confident sociability. Far from it: the real gentleman doesnt run around flattering everyone in sight, he makes sure he fulfils his duties and obligations without drawing attention to himself or making a fuss. Gentlemanliness is as much about restraint as it is about appearances. Above all, a gentleman is not only courteous, he is also constant: always the same, whatever the circumstances or the company.

In that sense, Dravid is a true gentleman. Where many sportsmen flatter to deceive, Dravid runs deep. He is a man of substance, morally serious and intellectually curious. For all his understatement, he couldnt fail to convey those qualities to anyone who watched him properly.