Bull's Eye

Though president of IHF, one isn't sure if Gill ever held a hockey stick except when clobbering someone on the head. But one can�t question his passion. Alas, he loves hockey too well, but not too wisely. After he took over,India's hockey team has slid down to last-but-one in world rankings. Meanwhile, terrorist insurgency escalates unchecked.

Consider another versatile genius, Sharad Pawar. He is among India's shrewdest politicians. He is the agriculture minister. He must look after farmers. Farmers, unfortunately, are committing suicide in hundreds across the nation due to debt.Pawar's hands are full, but not so full as to prevent him from grabbing a cricket bat. Using his formidable political skills, Pawar got elected as the BCCI president. It was a magnificent achievement. TheBCCI chief is not ranked as high as the president of India. But he is considerably richer. Cricket has become a lucrative commercial pursuit. Indeed, one is unsure whetherPawar's passion is aroused by the game or by its riches.

Unfortunately, as Indian cricket grows richer, its quality tends to become poorer. AfterPawar's ascendancy it has sunk to its lowest ebb. However, until now neither cricketers nor cricket fans have committed suicide. One is sure Pawar will prevent them from undergoing the fate that befell the unfortunate farmers who were beyond his help. Cricket, after all, is a priority issue. It feeds entertainment to the entire nation.

Or does it? Last week, an NDTV-Hindi opinion poll discovered that 96 per cent thought the national attention paid to cricket was ridiculous and insane. Only four per cent justifiedcricket's equation with religion. But this was a Hindi TV channel. Does its audience matter? An opinion poll in an English channel would give us a correctpicture-- such as was projected by our honourable MPs. Cutting across parties they demanded the expulsion of our cricketteam's coach, Greg Chappell.

Foreigners, quit our cricket! Inquilab zindabad!

(Puri can be reached at rajinderpuri2000@yahoo.com)