It seems that dumb game like cricket was tailor made for some Indians, these some are 
sought to be majority by the market, therefore the frenzy. The so called sport has everything that satisfies the laziness and stupidity of the audience while filling the coffers of the few. About five odd countries are serious contenders of which the richer countries are competent in other sports too, cricket is not taken that seriously. Few decades back it was the elite get together of maharajas and Nawabs trying to work out their credibility with masters, quite understandably the best were never good enough. Their performances and lifestyle are mentioned in awe in hallowed circle by commentators. The fact being these were mediocre nincompoops. Similar to what is true in every other field that is elitist. They attained fame, money and yes credibility for being a sportsperson. These then was a small opening which they encashed rather handsomely.
IPL is the richest sport body in the world. One expects it to be competent, atleast money can buy professionals who can work it out and enthuse bit of propriety, to begin with. Many feudal Lalas have become tycoons by doing these, by feeding hardworking middle class professionals (who get trapped in credit, it’s the American way of development). Kingfisher Airline is a small example on how they still don’t get it right, the staff will have to pay for their profligacy and incompetence. That is the Indian elite DNA (what I refer to as neo brahminical reference), they will suck with characteristic impunity. IPL could have been a model for excellence but it can never be. To begin with it is richest not because of any special merit, just that India has more population and therefore the market has invested. The market too has not seen any merit in the audience, except as suckers for their products. So the foundation itself is so very weak. At least one had expected them to redeem themselves, with this amount of money, by bringing competent sportspersons and creating a match of excellence. But that too will not happen as retired, semi retired and amazingly mediocre cricketers work it out. They are limited by their own limitations! Sportsperson were chosen more for entertainment value and now ofcourse for fixabilty factor. The marketability is another factor, so the sportsperson better look good , they also need to sell cokepepsi and cars (its India rising!!). It is jamboree of mediocrity. All self respecting international cricketers (I have no much expectation from Indian cricketers…its easy money, considering a country where majority don’t get enough to eat. I am sure Mrs. Tendulkar has to keep the rice pot boiling, bache booke hain) should quit IPL unless the BCCI becomes professional and not stinkpot that is private money holes for friends and family, as is the traditional in India. They have made it a gravy train for rich getting richer, the sleaze and gross. With money this is what Indian elite can produce; it is neo-brahminism meeting vicious market. MN Srinivas would refer it as Sankritised chants agreeing Westernized nuances.
This is precisely what India can bring to the high table, a load of mediocrity masked in western nuance. With this money they can create horrendous apparatus that suck money for few. This is replicated in all other institution (Crude woman has done that to National awards, indeed every other doles from the government are grabbed. Secularism aur liberalism ki nautanki meh bohuth dham hai re bhaia. A pliable government that runs on corruption and nepotism, the reason why these breed find space, as institutions gets degraded. As she says hum log spot fixing nahi karthe, hum tho match fixing bhi nahi karthe, hum tho ji sirf final jeeththe hai. What she is saying is that if you can fix who will be the I&B minister then finals tho fix ho he gaya!). With its potent neo brahminical potion India is here to IPL the world!!
Amazing series of coincidences!!
I was at a park near Rajpur road in Dehradun city, across the road there was a small crowd. The Natraj Bookstall was hosting Ruskin Bond, he was to release his new book A Garland of Memories. Wow. This is my second rendezvous with Ruskin Bond this year. There was usual rituals associated with book launch, clapping, eulogies so on. Then someone mentioned that it is Mr. Bond’s birthday and a cake was brought in. As I was clicking pictures, I happen to look at the date. Wait a minute isn’t that my birthday too!!!! I am not into birthday celebrations but to gather that I was born on the same date as Ruskin Bond is quite a surprise and what a wonderful coincidence.
A scene on pavement wall at Dehradun. Lord Shiva has finally had it. Now you watch out!!!
sought to be majority by the market, therefore the frenzy. The so called sport has everything that satisfies the laziness and stupidity of the audience while filling the coffers of the few. About five odd countries are serious contenders of which the richer countries are competent in other sports too, cricket is not taken that seriously. Few decades back it was the elite get together of maharajas and Nawabs trying to work out their credibility with masters, quite understandably the best were never good enough. Their performances and lifestyle are mentioned in awe in hallowed circle by commentators. The fact being these were mediocre nincompoops. Similar to what is true in every other field that is elitist. They attained fame, money and yes credibility for being a sportsperson. These then was a small opening which they encashed rather handsomely.
I was at a park near Rajpur road in Dehradun city, across the road there was a small crowd. The Natraj Bookstall was hosting Ruskin Bond, he was to release his new book A Garland of Memories. Wow. This is my second rendezvous with Ruskin Bond this year. There was usual rituals associated with book launch, clapping, eulogies so on. Then someone mentioned that it is Mr. Bond’s birthday and a cake was brought in. As I was clicking pictures, I happen to look at the date. Wait a minute isn’t that my birthday too!!!! I am not into birthday celebrations but to gather that I was born on the same date as Ruskin Bond is quite a surprise and what a wonderful coincidence. 