Today the morning was really a good one that kick started with the news of Indian shooter Abhinav Bindra winning a Gold medal for India. A gold medal for the country in 28 years and a first individual one in the 80 years of Indian Olympic history. He is a real hero. And there’s a valid reason to celebrate as well.
At last the face of India is changing in the Olympics. At last we can see something beyond cricket and bollywood. Thankfully there are people we know other than Tendulkar and Amitabh Bachhan. I am not against cricket or bollywood but the craze over it drives me crazy.
But it is still so painful that a country populated by 100 crores can produce only one gold medallist in 28 years. The reasons could be varied. We just gained our independence only a few years ago. The progress path has been difficult. We still feel it is better to have a career which guarantees a steady flow of income rather than that which your heart desires. Sports are still considered a part time hobby or recreation and not a full time career.
Let there be a cricket match and the whole country seems to be under a curfew. Most people won’t watch even an international hockey match of India but yes, local cricket match (read IPL) makes great business.
Hope that Sania Mirza, Vishwanathan Anand, Rajyavardhan Rathore and above all Abhinav Bindra can break us free from this mental slavery. KUDOS !!
