Place : Bangalore
05/06/2012
Dear Sachin Tendulkar
Greetings!
I am not writing this letter to
you to amplify your cricketing class and quality, which can of course be
perpetually quantified. The whole world
is a witness to your potential! You have broken and created all cricketing
records and made every Indian feel so proud. You have made every cricket fan
all over the world to debate if Sachin is Cricket or Cricket is Sachin! In the subsequent editions of Dictionary, we won’t
be surprised to find the meaning of cricket as Sachin.
Today you have entered a
different field.
You have made a good beginning
that you would “vow to bat for other
sports” demonstrating your farsightedness and zeal for development of other
sports. Probably you have commenced your new innings in a new wicket, notching your
first record outside cricket.
While the gesture shown by you would
not only overwhelm the other sportsmen and their fraternity, as a
cricketer-cum-MP you have tried to lead by example for other cricketers to
follow suit. As a token of first complement, can we expect our cricket heroes
and officials to openly send greeting messages to our Chess Champion Viswanathan
Anand on his retaining the World
Championship, by all means a great feat, which every Indian citizen should be
proud of?
It is noteworthy to recall in the
recently concluded IPL Edition-5, celebrities from other sports like Sania
Mirza, Pankaj Advani ….enthusiastically presented themselves in the stadiums
and cheered their favourite teams. Such nice
gestures opens the gate for mutual regards, respect and recognition for the
sports as such.
Good!
Let us for a moment consider your new found profession:
Let us for a moment consider your new found profession:
Becoming an MP is, nevertheless,
a different assignment altogether.
Unlike contesting elections for MLA, MP posts, being nominated is
undoubtedly a great honor (that does not, of course, take away your due of getting the highest civilian award- Bharat
Ratna). Here is a chance for you, the record holder to open another record
account. This time with a difference, we
will be spectators to see Sachin as a politician. Politician has become such an
ugly word (no pun intended). You are a gentleman, but almost a loner in politics.
Sachin, for all your contribution
and dedication to the sport, you have not been involved even remotely in any
controversy. You are known for your
straightforward disposition and impeccable integrity. In this field of politics,
even if you remain tightlipped,
interpretations and misinterpretations will be galore. Your will to deliver will be tested; after all,
you have made entry into Indian politics. Will you be allowed to play a fair
game in this field? For instance, Will you show your support for Anna Hazare’s
campaign against corruption? Which party you will be joining/supporting? Can you ensure the
sportsmen from other games are treated and rewarded on par with cricketers and help bridge the gap of socio-economic
disparity?
At 39, you will be under pressure in cricket to take a
decision about your impending retirement.
In politics you will be entering as a trainee; no pressures of
retirement, educational background, past experience….
In cricket, you relinquished captaincy; in
public life leadership trait is imminent.
In the cricket field, your
favorite position is first slip! Outside cricket, I wonder if you are making
the first slip!!
When you bat, you are, and, we
are elated to watch your straight drive!
In politics, can you drive straight?
In a match, if you lose the toss,
you can still win the game! In party
politics, if you don’t match with the team even for a genuine reason, you will
go for a toss!!
For good on-field behavior and
sportsmanship, you will be given fair play award! Can you recall when was the last time fair
play was observed in parliament?
Millions of children have taken
you for a role-model because you are a champion!
Can you show one role model in today’s politics? Can you cite at least
one family advising their children to follow any one in politics?
You are a national obsession and
every word you utter and every move you make will be minutely scrutinized. All along, India as a whole has been following
you beyond parties and politics. Sooner than later when you join a political
party, you will be disappointing a fair portion of the nation.
Ensure your innocence and
integrity is intact, which will be under tremendous pressure! Hard earned fame
and glory!! Take care there is no dent!!!
Some quarters echo that
cricketers in politics is far better than politicians in cricket! It is
perfectly fair that it is your individual right and privilege of what to do or
undo. But the people of India has seen
you not just as an impeccable individual, but an institution. You have set such
high standards, it is difficult and disappointing to accept you as a
politician!
I hope, Sachin as a cricketer
prevails over Sachin as a politician!
All the very best for your new
debut!
Take guard! Right Arm Over!! Play……..
Well begun CSK ! keep it up
ReplyDeleteGuru