Amidst all the gloom that otherwise I saw around me during the past week, it indeed was an exhilarating experience for me when Sachin Tendulkar, the iconic “Human Being” surpass a humongous milestone. Humongous not due to the enormity of the task itself but the super weight of expectations of Crores of “Knowledgeable & Expert” Indians. Everyone in India seem to have an opinion and strategy when it comes to Cricket. I love cricket but by no means be classified (atleast not these days) amongst those fanatic lovers of the game putting the world on Pause button. But what he gifted to the mankind is something that cannot be brushed away so easily. And remember in a country where dreams of the entire nation is driven by 70 year + politicians , at 39 years it indeed is a weight of expectation, no ordinary Human Being can bear without cracking up. And here he is a great guy who did not crack up for over 2 long decades. And by God! He did handle his success like no God did and my admiration goes up manifold for this. Mythology has lot of stories where even some Gods had to pay a price for their haughtiness.

The 100^th 100 jokes were very cruel on someone who was sincere student of the game. Did we ever hear an instance of arrogance or misbehavior from this legend who could have had the world at his feet? And when he did get there, it was ironical. We had an effort for a losing cause. But I give a damn. A fellow countryman is right up there – extremely lonely at the top. We only can look up and admire (or alternately pelt stones). Statistics (rightly referred to as Fool’s Mathematics) were thrown about (all wrong ones though to prove why someone else was better), his application for Ferrari duty exemption raked up, jokes started going around again that he always has a century in a losing cause. He has had his quirks, reason why I kept stressing the “Human Being”.

Though what he achieved is nothing short of what a “God” could have done. Folks, Gimme a break! Take out each of those 100s and we never know what could have happened! No one bandied statistics on this. Look at statistics of matches India lost and his scores too to get the real and overall picture. And the bashers would do well to also look at statistics of any other Indian or foreign cricketers. He is not just shoulders above the rest – a whole height.

Damned if you do…damned if you don’t. Looking back I know this Gentleman would realize that despite all this achievements it indeed is a thankless world. Definitely this is a feather in the cap as compared to the other shameful achievements that we otherwise are known for in the world – Scams, Rapes, Female Infanticides, Murders. Let us allow these positive achievements to swamp the negative ones. We as a nation owe it to ourselves. What these great man ha achieved is no small feat. The whole world is looking up and saluting this Little-Big man. Let us atleast be indifferent if not supportive. Criticism is simply out of place.

Now, getting to the basic purpose of writing this blog – at the risk of sounding too sermonizing which is better than agonizing, I try to do some loud thinking.

Why have we ended up as a populace that is cynical as a nation? Why are we unable to celebrate any achievement whole heartedly? Why look for holes in anything that comes under our vision? We can always blame politicians and other leaders for this. They never put thoughts in our minds, do they? India, a nation that breaks into celebration for anything (so many festivals are proof enough), India that worships anything (crow, monkey, elephant, sun, moon, and a variety of Gods), India that always practiced peaceful co-habitation, ultimate acceptance (I don’t like the word tolerance)& inclusiveness, India that celebrates just being happy like none else – what has come to us? Where are we losing it? Where is that never ending smile and ability to break into celebrations.  Has western civilizational!!! practices overtaken us? Has materialism replaced our spiritualism? Has competition overridden the sense of belongingness?

Time we redeemed those values. The whole shift happened when Traditional Bharath gradually transformed into Material India. As His Holiness Sri Sri Ravishankarji says, we have to Deepen our Roots and Broaden our Vision. That is real development. If not, I am afraid we end up no better than the Western World where is a volcano that keeps erupting quite often. The sense of richness is a facade to the underlying insecurities that they face every day. Bharath has everything to meet everyone’s need but never enough to satisfy anyone’s greed. Let us resolve to enjoy the richness of the traditions that is available on our platter. No other civilization can boast of what is available to us.

Imagine a Bharath where Politicians, Business Leaders, Educationists and every citizen develops an ultimate sense of belongingness – every marriage, childbirth and achievements become everyone’s achievement. Ratan Tata’s impeccability no longer gets diminished because of a Telephone Call, enormity of Sachin’s 100^th 100 achievement will continue to elicit awe despite the only known indiscretion of an Exemption Application. Do we forget everything that these great Bharateeyas have gifted to us? Or is it to score some ego points amongst the intelligentsia in the e-world. Imagine the happiness we feel when our child speaks the first word, puts forward the first step – isn’t that a great milestone in our lives? Why? Sense of Belonging. Expand this thought and we can embrace our society, the city, state and the country. Everything that anyone achieves is like our baby rolling on to her stomach first time or that innocent Blabbers uttered first time.  It is that easy really!

This fundamental flaw of seeing everything through a jaundiced eye  is pounced upon by the real enemies to exploit. The Muslim rulers first and then British did it for Centuries. Karma is a great leveler. Today Bharath is far more secure and stronger nation than any of these so-called Developed nations – this despite the system that is slowly but surely getting corrected by a few brave visionary spiritual and political leaders. Handful but the reform is well underway irreversibly.

And finally, to those Tendulkar bashers, Ramesh Tendulkar ji did feel extremely pleased when his son looked up after almost a year. Not too many naysayers can even dream, let alone achieve what his son did. He is a Human after all. And remember he has scored not just the 100th 100, he did score 99 earlier 🙂 No mean achievement. Hats off Little Master! Proud of you. I am proud of yet another gentleman who called it quits. Rahul Dravid – a thorough human being too equally worthy of emulation.

PS: I write this blog because I just recovered from a bout of the extended attack – Attack of Cynicism