Letter To The Prime Minister

Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

Hope you are having a pleasant 2010.

It’s that time of the year again. IPL is coming and seems like the only thing our country (its people, its celebrities, its bloggers, its media-men) can talk about is that. Feels just like yesterday when all we could talk of was whether to provide security for the IPL matches or for the country’s general elections. We decided to go for the latter. I think that was a good choice.

Now the tomfoolery returns. This time it transcends the border. Pak players were invited for the bidding @IPL. Then snubbed. You know the deal.

It has caused a lot of umbrage across the border. Our nation is in a frenzy too. It's all we can talk about. Some of us are expiatory. Some are not. SRK comes out and claims that it was shameful that no Pak player was bid for. Mind you that he himself c0-owns one of the teams and could have bid for them if he so wanted to. The Home Minister says that he wants to see some Pak players play in IPL3. That guy Modi says that it was the teams’ decision and there was no pressure from the government. Now that's what gets my goat. Why was there no pressure from the Indian government?!

Why can't we present a united front on this issue to Pak and the ICC. Why can’t we (the government, the people, any private franchise like the IPL) stand together and say that its just not done. We are not going to play Pak in any sport or host their players unless the terror stops and stern actions are taken against the culprits. Any sporting ties with Pakistan should be severed for some time. Have we forgotten the pain of 26/11? When they killed those 200 odd people they didn't just kill them. They killed their families too. Their dreams, their aspirations too. Just ask someone who lost a loved one.

Just to be clear I have no hatred whatsoever against the people/players of Pakistan. Contrarily I have always believed that any Indian who hates anyone across the border should realize that these are the people closest to us in terms of their race, color, culture and so many other things. We both are very much the same. They do not hate us. Neither should we. Just because some loony terror groups cause us pain doesn't mean we condemn their whole nation.

But we can’t have their people kill our people and then have their players come in and make money hand over fist by playing in our country (esp the cricketers). We have to push their government (if there is one) every which way possible to act against the terror groups. Hitting them financially is one way. Any thing they utter about the IPL episode hindering the peace talks is a load of bull crap. The government establishment in Pak (if there is one) wants no peace. They've never wanted peace. All they want and have ever wanted is a diversion that takes the focus off their incompetence and ineptitude to do anything for their people.

The same goes for Australia. Till the time the Australian govt doesn't take action against the perpetrators of violence against Indians we should not play them or have their sportsmen play in India. They cant keep denying that the attacks are not racist. They have to redress the rogue nature of their people.

We should issue a strong statement to both the countries. For once BCCI's clout can be put to some good use.

Anyways I was a little busy over the last month or so. But work is better now. Give me a call if you feel like. Btw who are you rooting for this time?

Regards

Vk Singh

Sachiiiiin....Sachin !!

A billion prayers go up to the heavens whenever he walks into bat. A billion heads come down in dejection whenever his wicket falls. They dance deliriously when he flicks one past square leg. They chant cumulatively when he puts one past point. And the opposition watches wistfully when he plays the trademark drive.

Sachin’s 17000 ODI runs couldn't’ have come at a better time. I had been itching to write for the last few days but nothing fired my imagination till his innings of 175 this morning. I knew a post on Sachin would come sooner or later on my blog as he is one of the very few men who I admire and idolize. Today it is then.

I am going to eulogize him unabashedly in this post. So if you are not a complete Sachin fanatic like I am, this post is not for you :P I'd probably not say anything that has not already been said but this post is my 'two cents'.

From the day he was hit by a Younis bouncer and batted on with a blood stained shirt to the day he mauled the Aussies in Sharjah. From the day he smacked Akhtar all over the park to the day he gave cricket its most poignant moment (when he scored a century against Kenya coming back from his father's funeral). The 'Little Master' has gathered accolades unparalleled by any one else in the cricketing world.

Barry Richards has called him ‘Cricket’s God’. And God he is indeed.

The highest number of runs in both Tests and ODIs. The highest number of 100s in both Tests and ODIs. It doesn’t get any better than that. He is the absolute BEST. He IS the GOD of cricket. Period.

What’s remarkable about the man and the thing that I personally admire the most is that in spite of these histrionics he is still as humble as a child. Never has he got embroiled in any unpleasant incident on or off the field. Even as far less cricketers have instigated him time and again he has maintained his calm. Be it the overly-aggressive/abusive Aussies or the extra-zealous Pakistanis. They have all tried to disconcert him on the field with unkind words and gestures. But he has never stooped to their level. I think this comes from the fact that deep within he knows that he is far better than anyone else on the field. Far far better. So much better that no one even comes within sniffing distance. He sure knows it. He doesn't show it though. And that's what's great about the man.

The same bowlers’ appreciation off the field is testimony to this. Have a look here.

Needless to say young cricketers can learn a lot from him. His impeccable technique, unshakable concentration and unquestionable dedication. But more than anything else they can learn humility and dignity from him. They can learn how not to let success get to their heads.

I could go on and on till the time hell freezes over. I guess even beyond that. Such is his stature.

The world would applaud adoringly when he finally decides to leave international cricket. That is if ever it happens. I along with a billion others would wish that day never comes !!

I'm gonna shout till my throat goes hoarse "Sachiiin...Sachin" !!!

P.S. I know I have used a lot of superlatives/exaggerations/timeworn-cliches here. But then whats love if it's not corny ;) And we all love Sachin. Don't we ?!