M A I L B A G

Auction of cricketers deplorable

The recent auctioning of cricket players is really a sad day for the game. This has added a new dimension to the world of cricket. This is nothing short of gambling and thus besmirching the image and reputation of the game.

The auction was a shameful attempt by a group of unscrupulous people to make big money and to hold the levers of the game. It will destroy the purity and morality of the game. It will make all players more greedy and their concentration will be diverted towards making more and more money.

The lovers and well wishers of cricket should unite and come forward to oppose this open sale of players and impress upon the government to ban such tamasha to save cricket.

B.S. KABERWAL, Mohali

II

It is sad to see celebrities being bought by some in open auction. Have they no iota of self-respect that they are rejoicing at the bidding. The BCCI has sold the players and its respect and dignity.

The high profile celebs had the brains to bid Rs 5.4 crore for Andrew Symonds who has been insulting and abusing the Indians time and again. Now I am convinced that people’s needs have materialised to such an extent that they are ready to be bought for a price or even sell theirs’ or nation’s self-respect and pride.

ANIKET SINGH, Mohali

III

The autonomy of the Board of Cricket Control of India must be curtailed because it had turned cricket into a big business where money is flowing freely. The auction of cricketers is a “national shame”. This auction was a great violation of human dignity and shameless demonstration of money power. A civilised society must condemn it.

All the awards, medals, citations and freebies given to those Indian cricketers who have put themselves in the market may be withdrawn. I make a humble request to the Income-Tax authorities to have a close look on Shah Rukh Khan, Priety Zinta, Anil Ambani, Vijay Mallaya and others who are spending hundreds of crores of rupees in such auctions. The authorities should also be very strict on our players who are being auctioned for money.

Dr NARESH RAJ, Patiala

IV

The game of cricket came under hammer and, thus, has been hammered severely. There was a time, not long time back, when to say “Woh beek gaya” was considered an abuse. Now price tags are being flaunted. Is it a sign of progress or retrogress? Time will tell. Let us wait and watch.

B. S. BHATIA, Chandigarh

Time for harsh decisions Once considered progressive and prosperous, Punjab today suffers from all sorts of maladies negating its progress and prosperity. Education and healthcare systems have almost collapsed. Agriculture, the main vocation of the state, has become unsustainable. Industry is not getting its basic input – the power – on a regular basis. A self-serving bureaucracy, poor asset management like that of the irrigation system and road network, unemployable and drug-addicted youth, and an unrealistic and short-sighted political leadership are some other maladies afflicting the state. None of these maladies could be attributed to the Central government. Instead of organising unproductive and unjustified rallies like the “Insaf rally”, we must confront the embarrassing reality of the state honestly and boldly. Blaming others cannot solve self-created problems. Time has come to take harsh and realistic decisions to put the state back on the rails. The present balance-sheet of the state needs balancing. D.S. RAI, Commandant (retd), Ludhiana

Biased board

I read the news-item, “Sachin is playing, while rest of us are not” (Sports page, Feb 13). I would like to add that whatever ex-captain, Sourav Ganguly of Team India, has stated that “it is disappointing because I am in great form” is absolutely correct. I fully endorse his views.

It is very surprising that in spite of Ganguly’s excellent performance in the recent Test Series against Pakistan (he made double century, scored more than 500 runs in three Tests and was adjudged ‘Man of the Series’) why was he dropped from the India team by the Selection Committee? The present Selection Committee is biased against Sourav Ganguly.

J.P. GANGULY, New Delhi

India’s rout

Our ODI captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni gave a bad performance in Twenty-20, having scored only nine runs. Only Pattan crossed nine and made 26 -- no player touched the double-digit figure. Questions are raised about the heroes of the Third Test. Why were Rahul Dravid and Saurav Ganguli dropped? Team India lost badly in Twenty-20 only because of Dhoni’s overconfidence. Rohit, Robin, etc cannot fit the place of Dravid, Ganguli and Laxman. And why Sachin Tendulkar took rest in Twenty-20?

M. L. SINHA, Banga (Nawanshahr)

Uncivil exam

I was shocked to read the editorial “Uncivil exam”. It is indeed an eye-opener. The Haryana Civil Service examination conducted during the Chautala regime speaks volumes about the degradation in this important examination. Moral values have been compromised to such an extent that we shudder even to mention it. The perpetrators should not go scot-free to restore the people’s faith in the system.

T.D. BHARDWAJ, Phagwara