Thursday, November 14, 2013

The last of Tendlya

                Many, many words have been written about the great Sachin Tendulkar, especially since he announced his retirement from International cricket. There is no more a naïve dude like me can add. But then there is always something to magnify!!
                Just like Mr. Amitabh Bachchan, Sachin Tendulkar has always been a phenomenon for India and Indians. Both of them have achieved a legendary status which is above and beyond their cricket and box office records.
                Coming back to Tendulkar, I feel that he was a true representative of India, both literally and emblematically. He was a young, immature but talented player when he first started in 1989, same as India- fledgling, capable but adolescent economy. Tendulkar was intimidated by his opposition. He was hit, he was bruised, he was hurt, he went down…but then he stood up and he scored and boy did he scored!! India of late 80’s was scared, non-confident, hassled by her neighbors and world community. India was badly hurt because of the political chaos and financial collapse, but then she also got back on her feet and challenged the status quo. Today Tendulkar is proved over and over again that he is once in a generation marvel. He achieved this thru all the adversities a player could face. Today’s India too has achieved what many believed to be impossible. From economic bedlam to economic miracle- India grew at almost a double digit rate for over a decade ridiculing the Hindu rate of growth. Today’s India has achieved the rightful place on the world stage.
                Tomorrow might be the last time we see Tendulkar on the pitch before he walks into the sunset. But future of cricket is in good hands. And India? Well it’s all upon us (next general elections), do we want India to walk into the sunset or towards a new dawn.