I'm Back - & 'All is well'

'Where the bloody hell are you?' a few of my loyal blog readers have been asking. Not watching Michael Clarke in NZ, not giving you some info from my interview with Brett Lee as promised last time, nor even searching for Sachin.

Instead I've been in Sydney preparing for and then enduring a pacemaker operation under the special surgeon's hands of Dr Bruce Walker, a wizard. And feeling grateful to the universe for another chance at a healthy life.

So, to a current issue - and yes, I will get back to Brett Lee on Sachin Tendulkar sometime soon. First I want to canvas the question of whether any Australians of non-Indian origin would ever share - or even understand - the sacred status that Sachin holds in Indian society (even while made up as it is of many cultures & religions).

Midday ran a story this week on Marcus Couto, of CCI fame, and his brother, Ricky, a close friend of Sachin - and the way Sachin remains unaffected by fame, having recently greeted Marcus "with the same affection as he did as a schoolboy cricketer."

Marcus then came in for a bit of stick, in an email letter which criticised Sachin for, among other things, not having "grown up".

I would have ignored the correspondent's simplistic invective, but Marcus replied in a manner both measured and heartfelt, as you'll see below.

So what do you think? We treat our cricketers pretty rough, eh? None has achieved saint status - not even the great Donald Bradman, although 'Sir' was a clear mark of respect. Are Australians still tall poppy hackers inhabiting a godless land? Do you agree with Marcus or are you of a more sceptical mind?

Throughout the ages, mankind has been visited by rare individuals whose sole purpose is the spiritual upliftment of humanity. Jesus Christ was one of these visitors, as were Shakyamuni Buddha and Mohammed. These three are well known to us, but there are many others whose names we do not know; some taught publicly, and were known by a few, and others remained anonymous. These individuals were called by different names, at different times, in different countries. They have been referred to as: Ascended Masters, Avatar, Enlightened One, Savior, Messiah, Divine Mother, Messenger, Guru, Living Saint, and the like. They came to offer us what has been called: Enlightenment, Salvation, Realization, Liberation, or Awakening. The words used may be different, but in essence they all mean the same thing. Sachin to me is very close to all these.

If there are gods and idols for every thing specially in India, why not have a cricket God. Some great Cricketer already call him God.
I think, it would be too small an honour for him of Bharat Ratna. He should be given the title of Sir and if I had a dream and was given the power of the Pope at least I would have done on him living Canonization. I am aware this is bit too much to dream of but again it's my dream......and I shall be happy if it remains so.

Marcus

I know many Indians who thought of the philosopher, Jiddu Krishnamurti, as being as exceptional as Jesus Christ - yet the idea is laughable in a secular Australian context. Deeply-held beliefs may never be expressed while people engage in the inane utterances that social repartee demands yet lack of expression doesn't diminish one's faith. How sacred is Sachin, do you think?

(Reference to 'All is well' from 3 idiots. Photo credit to Midday & Pradeep Dhivar - pls inform me if I need authorisation to use this photo without payment so I can take it down immediately.)
Til next week, I hope.

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