Midnight of 14/15th August 1947 was a monumental moment for this country. People celebrated the independence at midnight. In different corners of the country. But my guess is that the happiness would have been guarded. Many were, in fact, going through the worst in their lives. The scars of partition, communal riots, the uncertainties for the political, economic and social future of the country – all of these would have tainted the happiness Indians felt. Many were fearing for their lives and future. The country had gained independence, but the people were divided. The absolute joy could not have been felt.
Midnight of 2nd/3rd April 2011 – Streets of all the cities, towns and villages in India has people celebrating. The reason is relatively trivial. India winning a world cup. But there is nothing to taint the enjoyment. Everyone is together. People on the streets will look like they are lunatics. But you know that they won’t harm you.
It’s ironical but the things that bring people are together are mostly not the ones that would intellectually be considered most important for the society. People come together to enjoy more trivial things.
I am not judging, only wondering.
Miles to go... 
I suspect that this is our moon shot – the one cause that unifies a country, pauper and prince alike. It is telling that diplomacy relied on a sports and not the other way around as one would expect. Whether this is “good” or “bad” I couldn’t say. I do however wish that we tap some of this energy for other causes as well.
bumped in here after a while and saw some good reads.. your observation of trivial things bringing joys more than the intellectual ones is interesting.. IMHO, it is more to do with “evocation” than anything else.. competitive team sports talks with our most basic feelings.. the rules are clear, the victory can not be debated (fair and square) and the suspense of what will come next keep us interested.. anyone who can hit or throw the ball better can be a champion.. there is no complexity of who was born where, grew under what circumstances and got what chances etc etc.. it is the fairest form of competition
there is no logic whatsoever in hitting a 5.5 ounce leather ball with a bat protecting 3 sticks on a 22 yard strip.. these are all icons that have no deep meaning and therein lies the beauty.. a human body in motion, teams of people getting at each other, camaraderie and raw physical competition (fairer than any intellectual debate), the sense of accomplishment and a clear demolition of opponents.. we respond the best to such simple yet “evocative” stimuli
sports are simple, human, they bring out what we consider is the best in all of us.. they give us identity and a clear sense of purpose.. they tug at our heartstrings and fill us with joy because they appeal to the basics of what makes us human.. overall they are some of the most beautiful things we experience.. and that’s why popularity of a live sporting action will anyday hands down beat any other form of entertainment or enterprise.. throw in your identity in form of a national team competing with another national team on a large stage and you have got a dynamite..
Hi, have been following your posts on and off but commenting here for the first time. Pretty neat stuff you have here. I also, perhaps, belong to the bunch of so many of your admirers!
Being someone in the sports management industry in India (& having been a s/w engineer in Bangalore prior), I note this post with curiosity. Fully endorse the views articulated above by Random Bits. That’s the true essence of sport. And we so much want and hope to emulate the success in other sports as well.
Keep writing!
Regards,
Amar
Well said!!
Very well said, Jaya.. 🙂