A Star Manqué

Re: # 5 I am extremely grateful for the praise. It is quite usual to come across newspaper paragraphs that say the same thing as this story. We sympathize a bit with the person in question and then move on to next newspaper story. If writing style or any art of writing may help gathering an attention of readership enhanced than that of a newspaper short paragraph, then I feel I should rate my work as successful.

loved your down-to-earth writing style! sad how real talent fritters away.

From the author:

I am not able to reply online the interact comments due to some software error, I request you to kindly forward my thanks to the interact members in general and following reply to Beejay in particular;

``I agree with most of your observations; but it appears little inadequate to shrink the scope of sports only to hobbyists. Surely some thing better can be thought of at different levels of authority. At the same time, it can not be denied that some or the other way, factors other than just the merit matter in our society. We can’t completely rid the process of these factors. ``

Sad state of affairs for Indian hockey. Even the great Dhanraj Pillai has talked of step-motherly treatment to this game in general and he should know with some of the unfair and rough stuff that he personally has had to weather.The newly released Hindi movie ``Iqbal`` uncovers some of the slimy under-belly of corruption in cricket.So I guess it is there in all areas of sport, and disgracefully so.

This story shows why Indian sports are in such sorry state.

It is a nice “story”. Fate plays its little jokes on us little individuals – and every one (even those who might be mighty at one time) is made to feel humbled and belittled in front of it sooner or later.

Although it is easy to sympathize with individual players of yesteryears – the bottom line is – this whole idea of handing over “jobs” based on anything other than merit – be it contacts, political patronage, caste, creed, whatever – is counterintuitive, counterproductive and plain wrong! Nothing good can be expected to come out of it – certainly not in the long run – and certainly of no beneficial values to the self-esteem of such individuals!

People who take part in sports, etc. should do it for the enjoyment value – there is no such thing as “professional” sports in India – and have plans for the life after sports. I am glad the person described in this article learnt a trade to make an honorable (if not steady) living – and later, ended up making an honest living in the cafeteria – even though, ironically, he could get his last job only through a contact.

One must try to retain as many ``bridges`` from one`s past as possible – who knows when one may need to cross back!