Build your professional network on facebook via our app Go to app
 
<< Prev  2 of 9 in Topic  Next >>
Posted in Community :

Primetime News

 
By : Rajeev Sharma, Strategic Analyst, Columnist, Publishing
Industry : Publishing Functional Area : Sports
Keywords :

cricket

team india

Activity:  7 comments  281 views  last activity : 04 05 2011 17:10:12 +0000
 Refer 933
Share
 
 
 

India Basks in Cricket Glory

The euphoria of India’s historic Cricket World Cup win on April 2, and the showering of praise, gifts and honours on Team India, is both understandable and laudable. However, the Indian government would do well to sit back, have a long think and devise a strategy to wean this country off its total fixation on cricket. With 1.21 billion people hungry for international recognition, it’s time India branched out a little in the sporting arena.

In the meantime, though, the 15-member Indian squad is at the receiving end of a breathtaking assortment of deals and handouts. President Pratibha Patil hosted a tea party for the new champions, while Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi are said to be seriously considering hosting receptions for the team very soon. 

Indeed, Gandhi made a spontaneous and rare public appearance on the busy ITO road in New Delhi minutes after the Indian victory. She shook hands with ecstatic cricket fans, praising a team that had done the country proud. She spent a good 20 minutes on the road, reportedly causing a massive traffic jam.

While the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI), the world’s richest cricket board, has announced cash reward of Rs one crore ($225,000) to each member of the squad, chief ministers and state governments are vying with one another to show their generosity. The Ministry of Railways, for example, announced on April 3 that members of the winning Indian cricket team would get lifetime 1st AC Complimentary Passes. ‘The passes will be available to players along with one companion for unlimited free travel from anywhere to anywhere in the country on Indian Railways,’ the ministry said in a statement. 

But it hasn’t ended there. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, meanwhile, announced a cash award of Rs two crore for Captain M S Dhoni and Rs one crore each for four Delhi players: Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli and Ashish Nehra. Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa announced a free residential plot for each member of the Indian cricket team in Bangalore. Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda, meanwhile, said that land would be allotted to Dhoni for building a cricket academy and a school in Ranchi.

The question now is whether these kinds of scenes will ever be repeated for any other sport in India?

 
TrackBack URL:
7 comments on "India Basks in Cricket Glory"
  Commented by  N.Sreenivasa Rao, Construction Management -CPWD    | 04 05 2011 17:10:12 +0000
"Chak De" for the flow of money.It is great we have won world cup after 28 years. Really how many Man hours killed.Spent that huge money to built the nation in other sports too.So we will win more medals and good place in "Olympics".
  Commented by  Rathin Deb, Freelance Retail Consultant    | 04 05 2011 14:02:04 +0000
Yash thanks for referral. See if you have nothing to hype about why not what is in hand. All the players are well paid and got additional money from BCCI hence what govt is giving additional money is not understandable particularly by CM of Delhi. In case this money would have been used to make night shelters and uplift of economically back words in Delhi would have been much appreciated. 
  Commented by  Yash Singh, Coresspondent, Star    | 04 05 2011 10:36:21 +0000
Well my question is that are they worth so much?? I do not understand why is evrything so hyped in our nation. When we are struggling and majority of population is below poverty line why not some charity in the name of cricket ??
  Commented by  Omkar Kulkarni, Accounts Officer, Minilec(India) Pvt Ltd    | 04 04 2011 13:17:08 +0000
As I say in my earlier articale, we have to promot all sports in our country. Others sportsmens also get this type of handouts. 
  Commented by  K. NARAYAN, None, None    | 04 04 2011 13:14:19 +0000
What has happened to all the athletes who brought India glory in the CWG and the Asian Games ?

It is unfortunate that we get carried away by media hype ; this is the same media which feted the athletes who overcame their humble and poverty-stricken backgrounds to bring glory to the country by winning medals in the games.

Does it mean that an achievement in cricket is greater than an achievement in boxing , shooting , swimming or any other sport ?
  Commented by  manish kumar, freelancer    | 04 04 2011 08:17:51 +0000
media and sports ministers can do anything for any sports in India. thank u sir for post
  Commented by  S. Muralidharan, Head, Project Planning/Strategy, Knowledge Foundation    | 04 04 2011 08:16:38 +0000
Government should announce the prize money from the Sports Ministry's fund allocation and not from the State Government's exchequer.  Govt of India has already relaxed Income Tax to the tune of Rs.45 cr.  If the Chief Ministers are enamoured in order to get cheap publicity, let them offer this fund from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund which is meant for emergencies and disaster!  We should really regulate this and should not waste tax payer's money on events like this.  We have children fighting for a loaf of bread and the Chief Minister's convoy passes through the slums and the low income group colonies who lack even basic civic amenities!  Yes.  We have to respect our Cricketers for achieving this feat, but should not at the same time disregard other sports personnel!
Add your comment on "India Basks in Cricket Glory"

Rate:
Submit
Preferred Executive Search and Recruitment partners for Global IT and BPO organizations
Preferred Executive Search and Recruitment partners for Global IT and BPO organizations
Viewers also viewed
Film Stars vs Cricketers
 
324 referals 11 arguments, 1251 views
With Fifa world cup starting from today, I had this feeling whether India can ever qualify for...
 
686 referals 95 arguments, 6241 views
In a recent news it is said that India should project sports as a viable career opportunity if...
 
81 referals 10 arguments, 2005 views
more...  
Recent Knowledge (9)
What could be the size of Indian Switch market ( Low Voltage)
4 referals 15 comments, 526 views
A 28 year old, Divya Narendra, son of an Indian immigrant doctor couple in the U.S., has moved...
 
192 referals 24 comments, 5526 views
Military Strength: Comapre India and Pakistan Manpower and Ground Forces India has the second...
49 referals 9 comments, 67492 views
more...  
More From Author
Implications of the Sarabjit Singh episode for India by  Rajeev Sharma   May 2, 2013   The death of  Sarabjit Singh  in a Pakistani hospital, announced in the wee hours of 2 May, conveys a dangerous portent to the Indian strategic establishment...
Expert Advices for Safety of Women 1) What should a woman do if she finds herself alone in the company of a strange male as she prepares to enter a lift in a high-rise apartment late at night? Experts Say: Enter the lift. If you need to reach the...
Expats, read this for your own good by  Rajeev Sharma   Apr 6, 2013   There is good news for 6.5 million Indian expatriates in the Gulf, a large number of whom are blue collar workers. Before we elaborate how, consider the two following...
more...