Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award conferred by India. It literally means "jewel of India". So, one who is conferred this award must be someone who India must be proud of. Has Sachin made India proud?
Legend: F - For and A - Against
F: Obviously! Cricket is a game popularized by the English and as of now no English player has scored more than 10 thousand runs. Sachin has almost twice the number of runs the highest English player has scored!
A: That only says how frequently the game is played. So, how many countries play cricket?
F: It is quite popular in about 10-15 countries.
A: Out of about 200 odd countries right?
F: Well, if you are hinting at cricket not being global, how global is Carnatic music and Indian music? MS Subbulakshmi and Lata Mangeshkar have also been conferred this award.
A: And this game cricket, seems like it's full of controversies these days? Fixing, ball tampering, doctored pitches and other forms of corruption?
F: Maybe but you cannot blame Sachin for the game being corrupt.
A: The point is, it is a muddy sport and he was part of the era. Can you categorically say that he has not been involved in any scams?
F: Well, nothing has come out as of now. We all believe that he is an honest man. But the point is Sachin is a household name for a billion people!
A: India's population may be 1.2 billion. But the number of infants/children who I am sure don't know about cricket are around 150 million. And I'm sure there are quite a few woman who don't care about cricket. And even among cricket fans I hear that there are a few Sachin bashers. So a billion? Really?
F: Ok, that was an exaggeration. But he has the largest fan following in India..
A: Hang on, better than all the political leaders?
F: I meant in sports..
A: I see .. Is he the best indisputably?
F: May not the best in the world but definitely the best in India.
A: Better than Kapil Dev, Gavaskar and other legends?
F: Well, I meant batsmen. But let's not make comparisons. All these legends that you mention have utmost respect for him and consider him the best in business.
A: Gavaskar is not going to say "I'm better than Sachin". Anyway, so be it. Let Sachin be the best cricketer, not sportsman, India has produced. But you still have not answered the key question. Has he made India proud?
F: This an award given to personalities that India thinks are its jewels. If you look at the list of awardees most were freedom fighters and politicians.
A: I can understand freedom fighters. Politicians? So, it seems to have some political motivations too?
F: Well, maybe.. Rajiv Gandhi was the youngest to get this award before Sachin. Politicians have served the nation.
A: Served the nation. hmmm.. I see.. So, Sachin has served the nation? How exactly?
F: Well, they tweaked the definition. It used to be an award given for public service and achievements in arts and science. But now they extended it to include performance in any human endeavor.
A: Any human endeavor.. Interesting. So, a software professional, a laundry man and why even a janitor may also be eligible..
F: Err.. technically it looks like.. yes..
A: So, he did not serve the nation.. and only a majority think he was the best..
F: Well, it's not just about his talents. It was the feel good factor that he brought to his fans. It was the hope he gave. They were proud of his achievements. Beyond that it was his commitment, the way he conducted himself, his humility and..
A: Let me ask you this question. What do you think should be the motive in giving this highest civilian award?
F: I guess to motivate an ordinary civilian ..
A: Exactly! Millions of youngsters are already watching this sport and possibly wasting time. Thousands choose cricket as their vocation and lose their way. By giving this award to Sachin, is the nation helping itself? Let the cricketers and fanatic cricket fans celebrate Sachin. Sports in India is already in bad shape. We forgot hockey legends like Dhyan Chand. By stooping low to vox populi and celebrating Sachin with the highest civilian award, I think India has got its priorities wrong!
Legend: F - For and A - Against
F: Obviously! Cricket is a game popularized by the English and as of now no English player has scored more than 10 thousand runs. Sachin has almost twice the number of runs the highest English player has scored!
A: That only says how frequently the game is played. So, how many countries play cricket?
F: It is quite popular in about 10-15 countries.
A: Out of about 200 odd countries right?
F: Well, if you are hinting at cricket not being global, how global is Carnatic music and Indian music? MS Subbulakshmi and Lata Mangeshkar have also been conferred this award.
A: And this game cricket, seems like it's full of controversies these days? Fixing, ball tampering, doctored pitches and other forms of corruption?
F: Maybe but you cannot blame Sachin for the game being corrupt.
A: The point is, it is a muddy sport and he was part of the era. Can you categorically say that he has not been involved in any scams?
F: Well, nothing has come out as of now. We all believe that he is an honest man. But the point is Sachin is a household name for a billion people!
A: India's population may be 1.2 billion. But the number of infants/children who I am sure don't know about cricket are around 150 million. And I'm sure there are quite a few woman who don't care about cricket. And even among cricket fans I hear that there are a few Sachin bashers. So a billion? Really?
F: Ok, that was an exaggeration. But he has the largest fan following in India..
A: Hang on, better than all the political leaders?
F: I meant in sports..
A: I see .. Is he the best indisputably?
F: May not the best in the world but definitely the best in India.
A: Better than Kapil Dev, Gavaskar and other legends?
F: Well, I meant batsmen. But let's not make comparisons. All these legends that you mention have utmost respect for him and consider him the best in business.
A: Gavaskar is not going to say "I'm better than Sachin". Anyway, so be it. Let Sachin be the best cricketer, not sportsman, India has produced. But you still have not answered the key question. Has he made India proud?
F: This an award given to personalities that India thinks are its jewels. If you look at the list of awardees most were freedom fighters and politicians.
A: I can understand freedom fighters. Politicians? So, it seems to have some political motivations too?
F: Well, maybe.. Rajiv Gandhi was the youngest to get this award before Sachin. Politicians have served the nation.
A: Served the nation. hmmm.. I see.. So, Sachin has served the nation? How exactly?
F: Well, they tweaked the definition. It used to be an award given for public service and achievements in arts and science. But now they extended it to include performance in any human endeavor.
A: Any human endeavor.. Interesting. So, a software professional, a laundry man and why even a janitor may also be eligible..
F: Err.. technically it looks like.. yes..
A: So, he did not serve the nation.. and only a majority think he was the best..
F: Well, it's not just about his talents. It was the feel good factor that he brought to his fans. It was the hope he gave. They were proud of his achievements. Beyond that it was his commitment, the way he conducted himself, his humility and..
A: Let me ask you this question. What do you think should be the motive in giving this highest civilian award?
F: I guess to motivate an ordinary civilian ..
A: Exactly! Millions of youngsters are already watching this sport and possibly wasting time. Thousands choose cricket as their vocation and lose their way. By giving this award to Sachin, is the nation helping itself? Let the cricketers and fanatic cricket fans celebrate Sachin. Sports in India is already in bad shape. We forgot hockey legends like Dhyan Chand. By stooping low to vox populi and celebrating Sachin with the highest civilian award, I think India has got its priorities wrong!
