Gentleman Sachin

The editorial, “A legend and a gentleman” (Mar 23) states the obvious, when it says that Sachin Tendulkar, is the presiding deity of a religion that goes by the name of cricket. When he walked without even looking at the umpire, who, incidentally, was of the opinion that Sachin was not out, it only helped to confirm the widely held belief, and rightly so, that the master blaster, is one of a kind.

When, over the years, ball tampering, fixing, spot fixing, and on field exchange of abusive language has become a norm, Sachin stands out as an embodiment of decency in this cutthroat competitive world of cricket. It is only a matter of time, before he achieves yet another landmark. A grateful nation rightly adores him.

Dr M K BAJAJ, Zirakpur 

II

People like Sachin are known for their humility, which emanates out of their hard-earned high self-esteem and this trait of his personality has proved him to be an excellent leader as well as an excellent follower as a team player, after having been a captain without any adverse affect on his performance.

Equally laudable has been his refusal to promote tobacco or alcoholic products, when he could have made millions of rupees, for he knows his endorsement of the alcoholic products might tempt a sizeable chunk of his hardcore fans to experiment or fall for such intoxicants. Such stances on Sachin’s part really speak volumes for his ethical behaviour.

 Here, I would also like to recall a similar incident when at the peak of his career, in a media conference in Hotel Taj in New Delhi, a samosa slipped out of a scribe’s plate on the floor. The legendary cricketer quickly picked up the samosa to clean the carpet with the agility and humility only such achievers can demonstrate. 

TEJINDER SINGH BEDI, Faridabad

Freebie culture

The editorial “It’s raining sops: DMK must be reined in” (Mar 22) has rightly voiced concern and cautioned the nation over the indirect malpractice of bribing our gullible voters. Doling out election sops to voters is not only subverting the spirit of our democracy but also crippling the finances of the states by blatant electoral allurements.

Are these freebies justifiable? Is it not ironical that Tamil Nadu is paying around Rs 8,300 crore as interest for loans to fund freebies every year? Certainly this practice is making our states bankrupt and must be stopped.

Capt SK DATTA, Abohar

State budgets

The article “What state Budgets don’t tell” (Mar 23) by Nirmal Sandhu was revealing. While Haryana has done well and Himachal Pradesh is improving, Punjab’s financial position is still poor. The state government has failed to address the issues of development and has not been able to provide employment to the youth.

Haryana’s development in education, housing, roads, real estate, industry and power sector is appreciable. The need of the hour is to develop a well-planned strategy for the development of states. Political leaders in Punjab must give up vote bank politics and utilise central fund schemes properly.

KAMALJIT MALWA, Mansa

True Holi

To the middle “Indian Holi, US soil” (Mar 22) by Mona, I would like to add that the writer appears to be trying hard to press the point that the Holi in Indian style that is coloured water splashes, deafening music, bhang, mischief and hooliganism performed at foreign soil is much more colourful and memorable than Holi celebrated in desi style and on desi land.

The music and masti Indian style with the warmth of relationship, with the sweet fragrance of sentiments, the sheen of love and affection, together make for the genuine spirit of celebration of any Indian festival.

I am sure the writer, somewhere in the remote corner of her heart feels the pinch of missing the real punch, the essence and masti of the Indian soil, the spirit and warmth of relationship, generated by bonding, attachment and nearness. Had the writer not been deprived of the taste of Indian Holi on Indian soil, she would not have craved for Holi masti on the US soil because nothing can substitute Indian celebrations on the Indian soil.