To
The God of Cricket
Hope this letter finds you in great spirits at the football stadium. I am confident that your presence for at a tournament that is more about indulging a super-rich, bored housewife than the players will definitely boost the popularity of soccer in India.
A disclaimer to begin with- Watching Kolkata cheer more for you than for Dada inspired me to pen this message. And knowing the degree of silliness in your excuses, I do not expect a revert. Yet I am compelled to write to you.
As a kid growing up on cricket, you were truly my idol. The kid in me retired. You did not. Till a bunch of kids won you a World Cup. In fact, another bunch of extremely talented kids also retired cause you refused to step aside and give them the crease. What can mere mortals do when the God plans otherwise?
Anyway, this letter is not about your on-field histrionics. That’s a debate for another day. This is what you did off the field to meticulously kill the devotee in me.
My first disenchantment came over a decade ago when you sought a waiver on your import duties for your gifted Ferrari. Considering you had spent nothing on acquiring the car, it is hard to believe that one of the richest, most-popular sportsperson in the world could not afford to pay a little over a crore to the government, money that would have essentially gone to the people who idolise you. It was even more disappointing when you sold your ‘gift’, making me realise you are no different from me or anyone else in the cricket stadium.
Your nomination to the Rajya Sabha two years back was not totally unexpected. However, what was unexpected was your attendance. Even Abey Kuruville’s batting average is better than your dismal attendance record. And the illusion about your Godness came crashing when you cited your brother’s health condition as the excuse. Not only was it silly and schoolish, it was flabbergasting to know that you could turn up for award shows, promotional events, ad shoots and not for your official duties in the Upper House. I knew being an MP does not pay as much as being a worshipped cricketer, but was not aware that difference in pay-check was so much that it will re-orient your priorities.
The last nail on the coffin was however the ‘news’ created about adopting a village, as a part of your MP duties, as decreed by the Prime Minister. Just two clarifications though – A) As an MP, isn’t that what you are supposed to do anyway? B) I thought it was three villages per member. Wondering what your PR machinery is going gaga about.
I understand that for a gentleman who is worshipped and revered as you are, it is ‘playing it my way’ or the highway. However, the Sachin fanatic me was obligated to leave back a suicide note.
Sincerely,
A former Tendulkar addict
P.S. – The writer is looking for another idol; one who performs off-field too !!! Interested candidates may apply for a lifetime of reverence 😉
(Anubhooti Panda works in an oil company. This letter is reproduced from her facebook post.)
