Politics: Does certified education really matter?

Congress leader Ajay Maken questioned the educational qualifications of Smriti  Irani, who has taken over as Human Resources Development Minister.  “Smriti  Irani  is not even a graduate!”,  Mr. Maken tweeted. The counter-attack by Union Home Miniser Uma Bharathi  challenging the qualification  of Sonia Gandhi only smacks of negative comparison and does not provide a fair equation.

Instances are plenty where the most academically qualified politicians have also failed to deliver. There cannot be a better example in the current political scenario than Dr. Manmohan Singh, the scholastic politician, who had to wait for Sonia Gandhi’s nod on vital issues.  Also, that Sonia Gandhi can never claim to know most of Singh’s academic credentials, yet commanded respect from the latter.  Does it not connote the “less educated” can wield more power than the “more educated”?

A politician cannot be measured by the “qualification”,  but  the quality, skills and integrity s/he possesses. Emitting the answer in the exams may fetch marks.  Application of education in life is altogether different, where education and intelligence often don’t go together.  Credibility and honesty are not friendly epithets in politics.  

A minister mainly seeks advice from experts and tries to fulfill people’s needs and expectations.  As for "degrees", it is common knowledge that our “academic” qualifications have limited job value. Not to be a graduate is not a crime.  When educated people can use their “education” and evil brain to subvert the system and extort money, hide their huge crimes and get away with them, seeking a mandatory need for education only slaps a cruel joke. We need dedicated and patriotic persons, not qualified cronies. Unfortunately, there is no such “degree” bestowed for exhibiting these qualities. This appears to be a non-issue in our country. Many ministers around the world are not qualified for the ministerial positions they hold, but can prove outstanding because of their unbiased outlook.    

Constitutional demerit

The fault lies with the Constitution-makers and the party who ruled India for over 60 years.  Why the relevant article was not amended to specify the qualifications of the ministers and elected members?  It is the demerit of our Constitution that it does not require any qualification for politicians.  We, as a country, are always lagging behind in primary education.  The other democratic countries give the right to vote and elected only those who attained certain qualification. In India, we overlooked it.  The result is we are good in higher education, but at primary level we are struggling to attain literacy.

Can we judge the unschooled Thomas Alva Edison through his educational qualification?  The first American President George Washington did not hold any degree.  Can we question the ability of Bill Gates?  On the contrary, highly educated people like Manmohan Singh have proved that education is not a guarantee for good governance and leadership.  Certification does not necessarily makes a person educated.  It is something one learns on a daily basis. 

Literacy for leadership quality

Leadership quality is vital to be a good politician, which means you need to take decisions, empathise with the people and have a vision for the future and ready to handle unforeseen calamities and disasters.  None of those things are taught at school or college.  Literacy is necessary, but not a degree.  Abraham Lincoln never had a full year of schooling and one cannot deny he was an amazing leader.

Logic also demands explanation for the other side. While a manager is appointed with minimum MBA qualification to run a small firm, why our politicians should be allowed to run such a big country without any minimum qualification? Chartered Accountants, doctors, architects etc. have to study and train for their chosen profession in order to minimise mistakes, malpractices and unethical decisions and so on.  For running public office positions, it is only sane to introduce a minimum set of subjects like communications, economics, management, political science etc.

In developing democracies, bulk of the population may not only be uneducated and ill-informed, but illiterate, and it is easy to fall into the trap of half-truths and half-baked ideas sold to them by some unlettered but charismatic dumbos.  On the other hand, the relevant qualification for the selection of Indian cricket team is not attainment of degree, but the ability to do well.  Here insisting on educational qualification is ridiculous.  

Politicians need to know the pulse of the society and the standing of the country in international stage.  It is vital for them to ask the right questions in the parliament.  They must understand the gravity of the problem and the strategy that should be adopted to mitigate the problem.  All these warrant an analytical mind. Though there are bureaucrats, it is always better to have an intellectual leader rather than one who is heavily dependent on the former.

Designing a relevant curriculum

Why a politician, prior to taking office, should not be asked to take a basic education test?  If they fail, they should undergo the basic education and repeat the test.  If the politician does not have basic idea of finance, economics, history, political science, why would anyone in the society want that person representing them? The nation’s destiny and the fate of the people are determined to a fair extent by the politicians.  For anything to be accomplished, it is important that is done according to established procedure, and that takes some education, which is a benefit to a politician both in getting elected and in doing his job.

A separate curriculum must be designed that would ensure a politician to think, reason and analyse.  After all, an educated person can look at a certain issue from various perspectives.

If politicians become statesmen, then the formalities and certifications become a matter of irrelevance, hypothetical though.

                                                                               

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IPL Cricket Ticket travails

Today (29/05/2014) around 6 a.m., I  proceeded towards the Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium, Bangalore to buy tickets for the Pepsi IPL-Season-7 Finals to be played on the 1^st June.

I represented an Associate Member who gave me the authorisation letter as prescribed by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA).  Their notification informs that Associate Member can buy upto two tickets  for the guests on a FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED-BASIS   I was no.14 in the queue at 7 a.m., while the official time for issuance of the tickets has been notified as 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  When the counter opened, the official who entered with a ticket-cum-cash box informed, much to the horrific logic, that all tickets have been “sold out”.  Those of us who have been patiently waiting were baffled.

No committee member, leave alone Secretary or other  responsible office-bearer was available for any comment or clarification.  The counter-official claimed that his duty is only limited to parroting “tickets sold out”. 

There were hardly about 100 people lined up.  The guest-tickets are marked for “A” Stand, “B” Stand and “N” Stand, which covers more than 20 per cent of the total capacity of the stadium.  Even if the  capacity of the stadium can be roughly estimated around 50,000, A, B & N can seat easily 10,000 people.  At the rate of two tickets per Associate/Representative, it would have hardly come to about 200 tickets.

But straightaway declaring “all tickets sold out” smacks of not just colossal arrogance, but warrants a deep and detailed investigation.   Different versions were shared in the ticket distribution hall.  One person said that tickets are totally with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) control and they have committed the tickets of the said Stands to Franchisees and Sponsors.  Another one said the stadium is in the hands of RCB (Royal Challengers Bangalore).  A third one: “KSCA is in overall charge of the administration”.

How do you term it when you announce “all tickets sold out” to the first person standing in the queue?  Who is accountable for this racket?  Even in cinema theatres, only few tickets may find the “black market”.  Is this always the  pattern? And, is this the pattern in all the stadiums throughout the country? 

Also, while the letter signed by the Secretary, KSCA said the ticket of “N” stand costs Rs.3,000/-  the tariff at the counter displays a revised-Rs.4,000/- per ticket, which was also not available for the law-abiding public. 

Disgusted with the response of the official, a cricket fan in the queue tore the KSCA letter and walked out.  A few discussed that they would sincerely pray from the depth of their hearts seeking “heavy downpour both on the 1^st and 2^nd June”, in addition to mouthing unprintable epithets.

We are familiar with somebody buying ticket from the counter and then selling in “black”, whereas, one wonders if  the authorities have taken over that job “wholesale”?  We are already reading reports about a “number of websites becoming the best platform for black market”.  We also have come across touts outsmarting the police.  We have not forgotten the name of Ratnakar Shetty who was suspended from the Mumbai Cricket Association for allegedly selling IPL match tickets in the black market.

Two items, for sure, are sold over the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) in India. One is liquor, and the other is IPL tickets.  It is obviously a question of demand and supply.  And since the demand for the 1^st June Finals match at Bangalore is enormous and the tickets are claimed to be “sold out”, those keen to watch at any cost will be ready to shell out any amount.  With cricket fans returning empty-handed, there are allegations of organisers  buying  tickets in bulk and then making a fast back.  Everyone wants to be a part of IPL history and wants to have a glimpse of their favourite teams/players clash at the biggest cricket event. 

Chinnaswamy Stadium is arguably one of the best stadiums in the country, but the sale of tickets has always been a contentious issue.  With a lot of simmering anger, I wish to ask if the fraudsters selling the tickets are outside the stadium or do they originate from within?

Also, dear cricket lover, beware of counterfeit tickets.  Remember a couple of years ago, fake IPL tickets flooding the Bangalore market?  It is also relevant to recall a news item reporting that a legislator who landed up with a fake ticket for the semi-finals between Mumbai  Indians vs. Royal Challengers Bangalore said: ‘I  paid Rs.20,000 for a Rs.10,000 ticket.  But when I reached the stadium, I was told the ticket was fake.  I could not do much, as it would have only landed me in trouble”. 

I also happened to read another report relating to the first leg of the IPL – 7 tournament held in U.A.E.: “On a popular classified website, touts are asking Dhs.1,500 for a Dh.80 – ticket to the tournament’s opening fixture at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Stadium on 16^th April”.

Even as the investigating officials look into the murky financial dealings in IPL, black marketers  and touts are having a field day, thoroughly exploiting the occasions, sentiments and emotions.   Let us also not forget that when one buys a ticket in black-market, s/he is equally and obviously becomes the other party involved in the criminal transaction.

Just a thought:  Why issuance of tickets should not be contemplated online-draw basis?

Well. after the various unsavoury deals, we still buy tickets and watch the match,  when the most serious doubt creeps in: “Is the match original or fake?” “Is it a sixer or a fixer?”

The recent retirees of the game, of late,  have been mouthing frequently about “integrity”.  We need more transparency and seek more clarity to the specific issues faced by the game and the cricket lover, from you guys!  Time for you, the legends,  to return something that adds value to the system!

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Also read: http://kmurthy608.blogspot.in/2014/05/cricket-where-is-gentleman.html

Congress, good riddance

“India has won.  Good days are coming again”, tweeted  a beaming and victorious Narendra Modi.

The Congress touched its lowest ever tally in the 16^th Lok Sabha election, raising  serious questions about its political future.  The party failed to open its account in some states and could not reach the double digit in any state.  The 128-year old party has been pulverised, the results corroborating it as a rejection of “dynastic politics”.  The last nail has been hammered on the coffin of the Congress party’s brand.  People showed that they can be ruthless in punishing erring parties.  The Congress party is synonymous with corruption.  On the poll day, the people dutifully discharged their electoral obligations, remembering  2G scam, coalgate, CWG scam, DLF-Vadra scam …. the list is long.

The BJP has finally become an all-India party, winning seats all over the country on its own, not in just a few states.

The Sonia Gandhi’s Congress fought this LS polls not to win, but attempted more on a negative agenda – to prevent Modi  from becoming the PM.  They also mistakenly believed that the Advani-Modi fraction will play to its political gain.  They did not show anything to convince about development, containing inflation and job creation. 

Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination over two decades ago created sympathy wave for his widow Sonia Gandhi.  No such tragedy happened this LS polls.  The Nehru-Gandhi label has lost its sheen in India.  This election has recorded more of youth electorate, for many of whom Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi are mere historical figures, and for others also it becoming a distant memory. 

It is also not surprising that Rahul Gandhi, given his political IQ, is unable to bring any significant impact for the Party in the recent polls.

The anti-corruption movement initiated by Anna Hazare and subsequent emergence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) firmly generated the anti-Congress mood.  The 2G scam (2010) triggered the momentum for the impending disaster.  The think-tanks of the Party failed to foresee the writings, let alone take any corrective measures.  They sucked and looted India like parasites.

 A serious wake-up call

It calls for a forthright introspection.  If you think of internal reforms, this is the first reform: Self-critique.  The party is rudderless.  When you are routed in an election so badly as the Congress has been, you might not even see yourself in the Opposition. “Enough was enough” is the resounding message of the people.  A BJP victory can be synonymously dished out as Congress decimation.  Interestingly, the verdict says it loud and clear that no price is to be paid to any LS Member to help forming a government. 

If Modi, in the next  5 years, doesn’t commit any blunders, even if he doesn’t do anything good to the nation, it will be good enough to bury the “dynastic party” to its abysmal depth.

The political role of the Indian National Congress must have been long over.  Mahatma Gandhi demanded this soon after India attained independence.  The Congress today is only a fake avatar of the original Congress party of stalwarts and freedom fighters.  Sadly, the bankruptcy of Congress has seen to it that it had to rely on foreign origin, once led by Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel and the likes.

Can new leaders be created?

Is “Charismatic Priyanka” , wife of the land baron who is the very definition of cronyism, the answer for the future  of the Party?  That opens up a bigger debate.  If yes, will it tantamount to undermining the Rahul’s role?    Rahul Gandhi, probably a boy was sent to do a man’s job?  The Gandhian appeal, name and dynasty suddenly and instantly crumbled.  Or, Congress sans dynasty can make a better equation?  Or does the equation opens up a choice of a defunct outfit?

Let the national party sit in the Opposition for a full term and contemplate on quality governance.  A tall ask, of course.  For the Congress, the task is to rediscover itself.  One way is the Party must cooperate in the House.  A rethink from the Party’s perspective is certainly warranted, urgently. 

If you see in a different perspective, the Congress party has no worries about its future.  If Congress tows the Nehru dynasty, the party has no future and has no worries.  Whereas, if it builds up a new party independent of the Nehru family, then it needs to worry about how to contest and win the elections in the future.

It was arrogance to the extreme when the Congress President and Vice-President showed no respect or appreciation of Indian voters for their democratic maturity.  The two have clearly demonstrated that they don’t belong to this land. If any self-respecting Congressmen from the original Indian National Congress  is still left in the Party, he should file a petition with the Election Commission to bar the trio (Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka) from using the Congress name any further. Those who offered tea-boy’s job will have to stand in queue to apply for sweeper’s job in Modi’s office.

Mahatma Gandhi saw its birth.  It will be Sonia Gandhi who will be overseeing its demise.

It is a fall which will be good for the country. Amen.

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Also read:

http://kmurthy608.blogspot.in/2014/01/mani-shankar-aiyar-hosts-tea-party.html

http://kmurthy608.blogspot.in/2014/01/congress-then-and-now.html

Abdul Kalam calls for employment generators, not employment seekers

Interaction with students

“What is the one lesson you learnt as a student, teacher, scientist and President of India?” asked a student, AMC Engineering College, Bangalore.  “I will, I have to do many tasks.  During the tasks, I may get some problems, but I will not  allow the problems to be my captain.  I become the captain of the problems, defeat the problems and succeed” said Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, the former President of India.

Another student queried: “I have three role-models in life – Sankaracharya, Swami Vivekananda and the third one is obviously yourselves.  Sir, behind every successful man there is a woman.  The irony is that all the three are bachelors … .“  A power-packed reply from the 83-year old legend in two words amid thunderous applause: “My mother.”

Regarding the expensive proposition of desalination of water as a solution to solve water scarcity raised by yet another student, Dr. Kalam suggested the use of “solar power” to keep it cost-effective.

If there is one man who is respected across all socio-economic strata of society in India, it is our former president Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. Among the many speeches he delivered in his tenure as the president of the country, this one at AMC Engineering College, Bangalore in particular is powerful and inspiring for the younger student community . While Dr. Kalam needs no introduction, it was refreshing of Dr. T.N. Sreenivasa, the Principal, AMC Engineering College, to title the former President, in his welcome address,  as “the Missile-Man of India”.  

When you listen to Dr. Kalam, it tantamounts to reading a book.  So much is the clarity, so much is the audience-friendly, nay youth-friendly rapport he instantly generates. No wonder, during his term as President, he was affectionately known as the People's President. 

Earlier, in his opening remarks, Dr. Kalam asked the students if they would  go out with confidence when they leave the campus and exhorted the gathering to be “employment generators, not employment seekers.”  Take a vow – ‘I can do it, We can do it, India can do it.’  Dr. Kalam ensured he had the rapt attention of the student-audience till the end of his motivational talk on “Role of Youth in National Building” recently organized by the AMC Engineering College, Bangalore.

Criteria for achievement

Initiating his thoughts on the “ignited minds of the youth is the most powerful resource”,  Dr. Abdul Kalam listed the criteria for achievement.  He recalled his school days in his home-town Rameshwaram about how his teacher, Sivasubramanya Iyer radiated knowledge and led an example of purity of life.  The teacher would make a sketch of birds on the blackboard  and injected the vision “What I should be in life ….  Rocket engineer …. I started flying…”

Dr. Kalam urged the students to  have a great aim in life (small aim is a 'crime', he said with a twinkle), continuously acquire knowledge with hard work and perseverance.   

“I will fly.  I am born with potential, goodness, ideas, dreams, greatness, wings ….. I am not meant for crawling, I will fly” - a deafening applause greeted his inspiring message.

“What worked yesterday, will not work today” he emphasised.  Referring to his favourite book “Empires of the Mind” by Denis Waitley , he sought to highlight the significance of the new world we lived in. The contents of the title is a combination of knowledge, society and leadership.

Role of leadership

Narrating the role of leadership in a knowledge society, Dr. Kalam said,“Yesterday, natural resources were power.  Today it is knowledge.  While hierarchy was the model, it is synergy today. Leaders commanded yesterday, but they empower and coach today. Shareholders were first, now it is customers. Employees are replaced by teams. Seniority is outsmarted by creativity.  Today value is everything, while it was extra yesterday.  Everyone was a competitor, and everyone is a customer. Institutions will value feedback and action based on that.   Institutions have to imbibe the concept of work with integrity and succeed with integrity.” 

He succinctly puts that economic development is powered by competitiveness, which is powered by knowledge, technology, innovation and resource investment, adding that innovation is born out of creativity.  Creativity, he goes on, “comes from beautiful minds.” It can be anywhere and any part of the world.  It is multi-dimensional, has ability to imagine.

Dr. Kalam beautifully summarises “excellence” by saying that “they are not in competition with anyone else, but with themselves.”  “Reflect on what you would like to be remembered for and write down send your ideas me and I shall reply”.

Dr. Kalam also released “Innovision”, the College magazine.

Dr. K.R.Paramahamsa, Chairman, AMC-CITY Group of Institutions explained the salient features of the AMC Engineering College, Bangalore.  Established in the year 1993, AMC has been imparting quality and value-based education.  The institution has state-of-the-art academic environment in engineering and technology discipline.  “We have 55 Doctorates with us and has an impeccable placement record at 95% from 75 companies.  We don’t make any tall claim, but we are growing.  Our fee-structure is reasonable.  We have not taken any donation, loans and manage with our resources” said a beaming Paramahamsa.

Major Mukund, another name for sacrifice

Sorry for the interruption.  You are probably busy with your routine chores.  Or entangled with the ongoing  Lok Sabha polls. Or may be wondering why Mumbai Indians are displaying a pathetic show in the current IPL 7^th Edition.  The endless tirades and counter-tirades between Modi and Rahul.   Actor-Politician Siranjeev bids to jump the polling queue……

Major Mukund, the true hero

Spare a moment.  You may be aware of the recent news of the death of Maj. Mukund Varadarajan.  On 27/04/2014, the nation bid adieu to the brave Major Mukund. The 31-year old was at the call of duty, when he was killed in a terrorist encounter at Kashmir.  Unmindful of the hardships and dangers, he pursued the path of duty. A martyr, a hero, Maj. Mukund will be remembered for his great sacrifice.  He is a great source of inspiration for a selfless generation to come.

We all experience loss of somebody extremely dear at different times in our lives.  It was a touching moment when the martyr’s three-year old daughter, Arshreya, was asked to say “Good night and Good bye” to her father as the cortege left the house for the final abode.  A family broken apart.  Parents lost their beloved son, wife lost her loving husband and daughter lost her father.  The parents must be saluted for gifting the nation a brave son. It is perfectly understandable about the predicaments of the family.

“He was crazy about being in the Army and fighting from when he was three.  I have lost my son but I am proud he lay down his life for the country” reportedly said a composed R. Varadarajan, father of Major Mukund.

I, like many of my fellow citizens, owe my peaceful breathe to great souls like the Major Mukund, and  often taken for granted by many of us. 

Mr. Abdul Ghani, a social activist, is initiating a five-minute film as a tribute to Major Mukund depicting his selfless contributions to the nation, followed by prayers and eminent people addressing the family. The event will be held on 20/05/2014 at Chinmaya Mission, Chennai.

Tamilnadu should name an important junction in Chennai in memory of this brave hero so that the future generations will come to know about him and his selfless sacrifice to the cause of this nation.

Salute to the great officer who laid his today for our tomorrow.

May his soul Rest in Peace!

A word of anguish

Media could have bestowed a better coverage and prominence.  Crimes and scams always grab the headlines.  Sensationalism is the divine clause of the media in reserving the space.  In  fact the front page, of late, doesn’t belong to the newspaper front page, rather the entire page is sold to the advertisers.

A Heartrending Poem by Indhu Rebecca Varghese W/o. Major Mukund Varadarajan

There lived a man who loved me with all his heart...
There lived a man who fathered my child....
There lived a man who believed in integrity....
There lived a man who loved his profession....
There lived a man who never feigned to be a hero....
There lived a man who was my soul....
There lived a man with a heart full of generosity...
There lived a man who revealed all to me....
There lived a man who loved me with his life.....

But .....now I wait.....
for he is with god..
I know this for sure..
One day I will meet him...
I know this for sure...
And he will give me that warm strong hug of his
I know this for sure...
And I will not complain that I can't breath
I know this for sure
You can hug me..hug me all you want....

Cricket: Where is the gentleman?

We all know Kieron  Pollard is an aggressive all-rounder, a big-hitting middle-order batsman.  What we also found on Tuesday (06/05/2014) was that Pollard can use the bat for purposes other than cricket.  Aussies are notorious for sledging.  What really transpired?  What were the words used by Mitchell Starc?  Was there any racial slant? Probably, one has to wait for an investigation.  Will it be fair? 

Whatever, the most ugly spectacle and Pollard’s reaction is censurable.  Match Referee Andy Pycroft’s decision to fine 75% and 50% of the match fee on Pollard and  Starc respectively makes a blatant mockery of punishment instead of slapping a match ban on the two, if not more, for their on-field misadventure, as it is only well known that there is always someone ready to sponsor any misdeed.  The fine is akin to “pay something and get away”, rather, get ready to commit the next one, nay a bigger one.  After all, money facilitates buying and selling.  And that’s what is IPL is all about. 

Cricketer was earlier known as gentleman.  Today, however, he is known by different synonyms like sledger, fixer, thug, bully, crook, cheat …… 

Although named the “Gentleman’s game”, cricket’s reputation is frequently tarnished by smaller and larger incidents, that seriously threatened the integrity of the game.  Even street cricket shows better sportsmanship.When you nick it, you wait for the umpire to give a decision.  But when you nick it to first slip and you still wait.  Stuart Broad nicked the ball and was caught by the Australian Michael Clarke, but not by the umpire.  Broad didn’t walk off since the umpire did not see, but the rest of the world did.

English stars after their victorious Ashes series celebrated their victory by getting drunk on the Oval pitch and urinated on the wicket.  The players include Kevin Pieterson, Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson who reportedly relieved themselves amid their team-mates cheering them on.  Most uncivilised behaviour by the English cricketers, where other great cricketers used to kiss the earth after creating records.  The same ground that gives them the pride and privilege to earn , it is shameful of them to indulge in such acts. It is depressing that Englishmen known for their value to tradition and culture should stoop to this abysmal perversion.

Apology or "fine" does not take away the disgrace and shame inflicted on the fair game.  It shows what respect they have for the sport they have opted to play. 

The intimidating environment on the field is becoming the key component in unsettling the opponent.  Andrew Symonds vs. Harbhajan Singh in the “monkey-gate episode” provided the ultimate disgust.  Sreesanth has set an example of an Indian cricketer who has gone well beyond the spirit of cricket both in terms of attitude and integrity.  Closely observe,  in most commentators’ views, “sledging” is  just about okay.  At times, we have to believe that Australians don’t just play to win, but more to play to defeat the opposition.

There is no doubt that some of these cricketers are world-class, but their “win-at-all-costs”  attitude lets them, and the game down.

The integrity of the game is already blotted by various events like bodyline bowling, underarm bowling, match-fixing, spot-fixing,  ball-tampering  ….  to name a few unfair ingredients.  Cricket has become business, after IPL.  It has provided a platform for money-laundering. We are in serious doubt if the matches we watch are fake games.

The pity nowadays is that those we think are heroes have been reduced to players we may scorn, notwithstanding their records as there will always be an element of doubt how they achieved their feats.  The  ‘money’  factor has made most participants strive for “performance” at any cost.  How  the owners of the teams react to the ugly behavior of their team players?  If administration is in the hands of businessmen and politicians, what else can you expect to deliver?  Money, ego and power alone control the game.  Do you need a better example than the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)?

Why not umpires be empowered to insist that players who sledge are removed from close-fielding positions if they exceed the acceptable levels, in the same way as a bowler who runs down the pitch can be removed from the attack?  This reminds, why did the match-referee not bring a charge of unsporting behaviour when Andrew Symonds in a match against India in 2008 for not walking when he boasted that he was well aware that he edged the ball?  Again, Murali Karthick in one of the IPL editions confessed that he edged the ball, but did not walk.  Players of this sort have set disgraceful examples to all youngsters following them. 

There was also the occasional other side.  G.R. Vishwanath recalled an Australian batsman (I don’t remember the name) when he thought that the umpire made an incorrect decision.  Let us revive the names of Garfield Sobers, Frank Worrel, Don Broadman, Courtney Walsh ….

There is no place for abusing and bullying.  It is high time the ICC  come out of its spineless state and handout some bans.  Perhaps, time to have more technology involved and have more scrutiny on the players.  Time to show that cricket is not a sport for bullies, but for gentleman.  Wishful thinking?

We would love to watch good cricket – Bat vs. Ball.  Asking for a little too much?

Read:
http://kmurthy608.blogspot.in/2012/08/book-mark-rahul-dravid-timeless-steel.html