India - A Misnomer ?

Sometimes I wonder do we really represent India, or just our respective states ? Does our linguistic status provoke sharper sentiments than our nationality ? By and large, I thing it is true.

See, pride about one's origin is one thing, but taking that to riotous proportions is another.

I had a middle aged, balding colleague in my office, who was from Bangalore. We all use to call him "Babu Ji", because of his Karnataka antecedents. He was very miserable while having to live outside his home city, and I myself a Bhuktabhogi, could connect with his feelings initially. But I soon saw the catch.

Any normal chat about anything under the Sun would invariably lead to Bangalore. So far so good. It so happened that both of us were an avid Cricket fan. A few years back, there were a lot many players from Karnataka who represented India concurrently. But whenever any player from his state was dropped from the team, he use to shout conspiracy!

He will went on to explain all and sundry how Venkatesh Prasad was so good, and how Srinath could still be effective. Why Kumble deserves more chances, and how Vishal Bharadwaj was treated shabbily. It became so irritating when he became a self proclaimed advocate for the cause of that good-for-nothing Sunil Joshi! He would also discuss about some nondescript Karnataka Ranji players who "deserved" chances in the team.

All these talks were beginning to get under our nerves, when one day came the ultimate shocker. For one of the test matches, Anil Kumble was dropped in favour of Harbhajan Singh. This was in West Indies. I heard this person on lunch table saying that he wished that India lose that match. I couldn't believe this!

For him the country deserved nothing! His country was Bangalore, and its denizens were his countrymen. When that didn't happen, then India should lose. After that incident, I never talked properly with him till he was in the company.

Same is true of those "Indians", who booed Rahul Dravid at Eden Gardens, or who cheered every fall of Indian wicket just because Sourav Ganguly is not in the team. From Chief Minister to Sports Minister to West Bengal film industry, everyone has lodged protest, though nobody talks about his form, and attitude on the field.

No doubt he has done a lot for the country, and has an enviable record. But if records were the criterion, then Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev would still be playing in the team. There is a time for everyone. Sourav had his time where he performed and marshaled well despite of his shortcomings.

But now his shortcomings are exposed a bit too much. He still can't play short balls. His strong area - the off side - is giving problems too. He edgy over there. His fielding has not improved an iota. Same is true with the fitness. But fans can't see through this. It pains me no end that their loyalty lies with Sourav Ganguly, not with country.

Also, instead of sacking the selectors, Sharad Pawar should have sacked the groundsman and his bosses at Eden Garden who had prepared a green top to embarrass the country.

All these incidents do make me feel that the unified India is misnomer. It is still diversified.