Chachu's column #1: "Of Hockeys, Violence, Cricket, and Conquests"

As this week draws towards its end, various events flash across my mind. Notable
among these are the India's dismal performance in the World Cup Hockey, the sha
meless and mindless violence in Gujarat, and India's loss to Zimbawbe in the Fir
st Cricket One Dayer. Last but not the least, was my viewing the movie "Ek Docto
r ki Maut".
A question then immediately comes to my mind. Are these events anyhow related? P
rima facie, there seems no evidence between sporting losses, religious riots, an
d medical discoveries. The disparities in these topics notwithstanding, my heart
laments that there is a connection, a connection that I can only feel, but cann
ot state.
Before I continue with this hypothesis, first let me express my deepest regret o
n all these events. The hockey team went to Malaysia with great expectations. In
the end however, it came a dismal tenth. More than the loss, what I feel is tha
t Indian hockey suffers because of its past, a glorious past, a past which someh
ow seems nowhere in sight. The situation is similar to a great sporting champion
reproaching his son for not living up to expectations for which he was once fam
ous for. In such a scenario, does the fault lie with the child who fails to live
up to expectations, or the father who carries such unrealistic expectations. Bu
rdens of expectations can be highly detrimental to growth. And I fear Indian hoc
key has to grope with this problem. In the process, more important issues like d
iscussing strategies is relegated to the backburner. Thus, whenever India is one
goal down, the fear of an ignominious defeat haunts them. And this fear inevita
bly leads to doom and defeat.
The cricket team is no different. It is however fortunate that it does not have
to carry the baggage that the hockey team carries. Still, losing to minnows like
Zimbawbe, that too when their last three batsmen muster more than sixty runs in
last six overs, is tragic to say the least.
I am no expert of either hockey or cricket to ascribe reasons to the defeats. Bu
t what I can definitely say is that we flounder in the basics. That we fail to l
earn from our mistakes. And commit the same mistake again and again.
And this statement leads me to the violence in Gujarat. First it happened during
partition. Then it happened again in 1992 when Babri Masjid was demolished. And
now the horrendous demon has raised its devilish head again.
Every one bemoans the killing. Every one finds it tragic. But it has happened ag
ain and again. There was some justification when it happened during partition. T
he event had ruptured a country and it was natural that the land would bleed. Bu
t in 1992, was it justified? And for a moment, if we accept that with a heavy he
art, can we do the same for the latest event too?
I am engieer. My foreign client, who is scheduled to come to India, asks me what
is happening in Gujarat? What answer do I give to him?
What is most ironic about this is I fail to understand that as a nation, what ar
e our priorities? People might argue that the common man becomes a puppet to the
machinations of shrewd men, who do this for money, power or pelf. But where is
this common man? Who is this common man? And if there exists any such entity, wh
en will that entity take control over his actions. When will he stand up and say
that I cannot be manipulated.
Having said many things, I come back to the connection. The connection is in the
lack of discipline. An indiscipline that manifests in everyday life. I come out
of the parking lot, only to bring my car to a screeching halt because another d

river is heading towards me, wrong-side and head-on. I disembark from my car, an
d reprimand the driver for his errant behavior. He pleads that he does not know,
knowing well that it was those few seconds that he was saving. Some other day,
another driver may come his way. That driver may not take the pains to get down.
The driver may be knocked. He may die. But the indiscipline will continue.
Do I sound cynical? Do I sound incoherent? I don't know. But there is so much to
say. So much to rectify. So much wrong to be undone. A beginning has to be made
. May be this weekly, fortnightly or monthly report makes a difference. Just tha
t little difference.
Wait for more,
Chachu (9/2/2002)