It is today that one of the greatest batsmen of our country, Sachin Tendulkar, made his 50th century in test cricket. It is a moment to rejoice and congratulate the little master for his tremendous passion and dedicated hardwork all through these years. But behind the scenes, are we really forgetting the fact that cricket is just a game. In modern terms, it may be equated with a shortcut to make money easily, gamblers paradise, or just a wonder way to have a prosperous life (though many don’t even succeed in that). But still even if a person plays cricket for all his life, what productive work has he (not Sachin Tendulkar in particular, just a reference person) done for his country?

You may say that he lifted the spirits of the masses, and was an icon of perseverance, and so on. But in reality apart from the commercial stint that has been attached to cricket, what benefit did the common man get from his work? Moreover, how can our country really afford to support playing games (Common Wealth Games included), when people who actually support the country, our farmers, are dying out of neglect. Sachin’s 50th century, received worldwide recognition and several laurels from our political leaders, but even after several thousands of farmers have already died out of despair, not even a single constructive effort has actually reached the poor souls. God bless Tendulkar … but God save India.

I would not really point fingers at specific people here, because we all are culprits in giving importance to things which were absolutely useless. We hear of several people of making a career in sports, but what does the person actually do. Just improve his physical performance and play games throughout his life. If that is one’s idea about productive work, then imagine the chaos if all of our population do the same. With that, I am not saying sports, arts, literature, etc. are completely useless and should not be a part of our lives. These are things, which are the essence of a complete life, and which give a new meaning to life. But over emphasis of these things and giving undue importance to these things is not something that will brighten our prospects.

Its all in the value of your opinion and the weight that you attach to it. A person plays a sport for personal development and fitness, but now sports has become a commercial hangout where people are trying to exploit even the minutest fact… that is remotely related to it. I mean we tend to forget the fact that they are earning because of us watching them. We are actually wasting our time watching them and getting addicted to watching them. Does it actually give us so much benefits or that much entertainment value atleast. Why does a Government (or IPL teams owners) have lakhs of rupees for awarding sportsmen who are “PLAYING” and no money for the poor farmers who are dying. Are we so blinded by illusions that we can’t see reality…
That is why I again say … God save India.