Resonating with the mood of the hour..tons of thoughts battling to find space in my mind. While 90% of Indians are now catching up on sleep after the victory dancing last nite, I've decided to streamline these thoughts before they vanish through the crevices of my mind.
Cricket culminated in a "larger-than-life" story yesterday..Over the last few weeks, I saw it being associated with politics, religion, corporate practices, upbringing, value systems, entertainment and lo and behold, even sex and porn. (Ms. Pandey as a case in reference.) It truly became the one all and be all for us Indians..more like the "Bhagwad Gita"!
Personally also, it has been an enlightening journey...
A story of a true convert. For all those who know me well, they know I was never a cricket fan. On the contrary, I used to hate it. My parents never missed a game..and I never watched one "ball-by-ball" in my life before. How can people subject themselves to 8 hours of mindless TV watching? What can one possibly get from it? But now I know...You can actually get wiser if you so wish..and not just by drinking Bud(weiser) through the match! I'm proud not only bcos India won yesterday..I'm proud that I, for the first time, understood what it means. Cricket and this win has been a manifestation of patriotism for me and likewise for all Indians(-at-heart). How could these billon+ Indians proudly show their love for India, had it not been for cricket? Way to go, cricket!
Equally enlightening has been the "bonding" experience with family, friends, acquaintances, and even random strangers. My parents now think of me as a "worthy" daughter. :)Yesterday, a total stranger (that too a seemingly snooty-looking Delhiite) wanted to take a photo with us..just bcos we had a flag and he didnt. Btw, cannot ignore the significance of "social media" in that regard. Would the feeling of watching and winning be so euphoric, had I not been able to share it with my loved ones and friends across the globe?! I dont think so. Thank you, FB!
So my advice to myself and others who care to follow: Allow yourself to indulge in new experiences. And keep your mind open. You never know what you'll learn from it.
And at a societal level, it has showed us that:
Even though the confluence of good and bad is ever so pervasive in our psyche, the good news is that we are still in the practise of celebrating the "good" and abandoning the "bad". Some feel if the 1 Cr award money is justified for the players. My take is at least its sending the message that you can make crores by doing "right" things in India, not just through corrupt means. India needed this victory to show to themselves and to the world that...We can also do it, the "right" way!
So to all my fellow "cricket-fans", spare a thought! What does "cricket" really mean to you?