DUSKY LIGHT

DUSKY LIGHT (musing)

One of Virendra critics and fast friend, Subashis asked him about his reactions to those two Ratna awards recently bestowed upon two Indians one from Maharashtra and another from Karnataka. Virendra’s reaction were cool and he remained silent about his comment. But Subashis knew his friend very well; hence pestered him “speak out or else you may fall sick!”
“Why you are after me, don’t you watch TV or read news papers? A dead man can also tell you what is happening in the country, cricket—cricket and cricket. The country has come to a standstill, you can feel it and smell it as simple as that and you want me to go against the stream and get blasted? After all BR is not a small thing. Simply one may not digest my comment, when the whole country is celebrating this billionaire rich cricketer’s retirement?”Virendra lost his cool and said.
“But you are a critic& speak quite differently from others, for that reason I have come all the way from my house.” Subashis said smilingly.

“You have no work it seems? Want to listen to my worthless reactions about the highest award of the largest democratic country called India? Then listen. In what way me or my family or your family or the country would be benefited? Tell me, would the price of potato or onion or gold be reduced as a respectful gesture for these two gentlemen by the businessmen or the chief ministers or the purchasing power of rupee would go up? These are big hoax by the ruling party to divert the attention of the people. Once we stop watching cricket the country’s working hours and productivity would improve. UPA Govt. has given Bharat Ratna to Sachin only to divert our minds from their failures, corruptions etc. The Cricket God may save them from rout next year. There are so many other great players who are waiting for their turn but would die out without getting any. Media has become so powerful that they can make anyone a hero or a zero. Sachin is a good player but not so good, an overrated player. The foreign doctors with their expertise, selectors and public money kept him going for last 24 years, credit must be given to them too. BCCI has become very powerful because of our huge population and failure in other games. Remember this, actual cricket is dying slowly and slowly and exhibition, cheer girls and money power has come into force, where everything has become commercial. Corporate has entered into this game.Regarding the other gentleman I do not know much but there was some controversy of plagiarism. His student saved him from that, he was criticized by Indian scientist for these incidents and passing on the responsibility and blame to the junior scientists which saved him from embarrassments.”   Virendra commented in one breath.

“That’s exactly why I came to you.” An excited Subashis said.

“One thing good about this BR is the Award does not carry any monetary grant. In terms of Article 18 (1) of the Constitution, the award cannot be used as a prefix or Suffix to the recipient's name. It’s awarded by the President --not by the people of India!” Are you satisfied or still call me cynic?

“Had that been so I would have never come to you.”   Subashis was still smiling and waving his hand before the car disappeared slowly in the evening dusky light and smog.

Sanjoy Kumar Satpathy

PS:This farewell was artificial like Hindi films. The tour of WI was arranged at the last moment so that India say good bye to Sachin with a win. A big drama was enacted by the mafia of cricket the BCCI otherwise this God would not have retired. I did not shed a single drop of tear neither I watched that one sided street cricket. One feels sad when someone dies or retires as was the practice earlier as that person would not be seen again but here from tomorrow onwards he would be the adviser or coach or a commentator then why should one feel sad? He was earlier worth per second $50 now after retirement he may earn$75 per second. The charm of cricket is lost it's like an empty bottle of Pepsi or a Beer cane --totally commercialized.