IPL imbroglio & Sasi Tharoor.

One columnist of the popular daily The Hindu brands IPL as India Paisa Loot! The columnist is well known for his leftist sympathy especially when he laments over the indulgence of the corporates sponsoring IPL, the huge amount paid to the players and the gargantuan scale of wastage of electricity because the matches are conducted at night.

I sent a letter to the 'letters to the editor' column and it was published minus my criticism of the columnist's views. What I don't understand is why these leftists want this thrilling and exciting sports event should be banned. If it is the money involved bothering them, then it can be looked into and curtail the chances of black money pouring into the event. Only moneyed class can sponsor the tournament and they'd certainly try to get the money they've invested back. Won't anyone do it? But think about the enjoyment of millions of people. This is a cricket crazy country and any form of cricket will thrive here.Any impoverished Latin American or African country would spend millions of dollars for their favourite soccer, then why can't we? Cricket became the household word because of the successful marketing of the game. The columnist made a suggestion to save the precious electricity 'wasted' as the matches are held at night. I suggested another alternative albeit sarcastically.We shift the season from April-May to a more player friendly December-January when you can enjoy a daytime match or change the venue to some hillstation where the climate may not be so oppressive. We saw how players like Sachin struggled in the sweltering heat of Chennai and even had to retire. Another suggestion I made to save electricity is to do away with all the illumination for any function attended by dignitaries like the ministers, MPs,MLAs. Why can't the chronically power starved states opt for renewable energy in a big way? I'm sure we will have enough and more power at our disposal if the Government decides to spend for it.



It is not by way of banning 20- over cricket or changing the format or making it a day event you can save this country. You try to stop the corrupt politicians plundering us. You target the visionless planning and gutless response of the ministries. You don't deprive the millions and millions of cricket lovers of their joy of watching their favourite game at least thro' the channels.



Talking about the politics. Sasi Tharoor, that brilliant erudite statesman became a non-entity yesterday when he was forced to resign for his alleged involvement in IPL. After his election from Thiruvananthapuram every step he made was a mis-step or at least his opponents made them seem so. It was quite unfortunate that having decided to take a plunge in the Indian politics, Sasi didn't try to recognize how murky and deep it was. It is a well known fact that many ministers have made crores and crores and possess lands in binami names. The antecedents of some of our ministers are much more suspecious. But Sasi Tharoor was an expendable commodity and a powerless pawn in the game of political chess! But no one can point an accusing finger at him. His love of cricket brought all the trouble for him. One can never accuse him that he was trying to make a quick buck allowing the big money to corner a big share in Kochi team. It wasn't his intention at all, but he was too naive to show his sincerity. But the hounds baying for his blood smelt their chance and pounced on him. There was no one to support him. It was good for you, Sasi. The ministership was a crown of thorns. by getting rid of it you can absolve yourself now. Why should you keep that M.P position ? Throw that at them and get back to U.S.A. Private or public enterprise will vie with each other to keep you in.



When Sasi joined Manmohan's team, all expected the new genre well educated politicians will have a good say in running the show. But all were relegated to the back ground, and the 'old guards' took charge once again. Hopes were belied, and it was business as usual for the cabinet!



Prying into the personal matters of Sasi, though unpardonable, was a favorite 'sport' of our paparazi. The channels also joined in the frenzy and it was , the more the merrier! One can only feel utter remorse at the shameless quest to dive deeper into the private life of celebrities which is the 'national past time' of our countrymen! God Save this country!