Sachin Tendulkar – the greatest
cricketer of our generation received ‘Bharat Ratna’ – the highest civilian
award.
Majority of the population was ecstatic
but there were some who struck a discordant note! Perhaps they do not
understand that Sachin Tendulkar is not just a person but a metaphor! He is a
metaphor of abundant goodness for a nation of billions that had only seen
paucity of everything not too long ago.
Many sportsmen are adored by
their fans but this one was almost worshiped by his fans. Why? The answer lies
in what everyone witnessed on the last day of the illustrious career. At the
end of it all a simple gesture of touching the 22-yard cricket pitch with
reverence said it all.
In our country every artist who
performs on the stage does not walk onto the stage without touching it with reverence –
pretty much same way Tendulkar did in the end. To them, stage provides them a
platform to live their dreams and hence it has to be respected. They also know
the uncertainty in their trade and hence no great performer ever dares to take
the stage for granted! Those who do it, pay for it sooner or later.
So is it superstition? Is it fear
of uncertainty – no – I don’t think so. It is based on the philosophy of
gratitude - the same philosophy which makes us revere five elements of nature! This
sense of gratitude is essence of Indian culture.
Tendulkar throughout his life
never threw away what essentially defines Indian culture and still achieved a
great success in International sports. In a nation mired in self-doubt, a
nation that tried its best to emulate some other materialistically successful
nations, stood a man thoroughly Indian. In a nation where not only corrupt win
over clean but even TV soaps show victory of evil over good for dramatic
effect, stood a man who proved otherwise. Whenever he succeeded on the cricket
ground, common man thought – Oh – this also happens and so there is hope! It is
the hope that Tendulkar always stood for amidst the ruins of sleaze, corruption
and greed. His ‘Bharat Ratna’ will just keep reminding people the victory of
Good – always! Well played Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar – we are proud of you!!
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