This post is more about the virtue than the vice.
It's more about the positive aspect of Virender Sehwag's DDCA-expose than lamenting about the quagmire of politics, nepotism, corruption and a generally brazen disregard for professionalism, that the DDCA is neck-deep into.
There might be dozens of other such associations/sports bodies/clubs/people (not just in cricket or any other sport, but also in life) that may be just as corrupt and botched up, but the point is, how many people have the courage to stand up for something they believe in?
The thing to appreciate, respect and emulate, is to take it on, to take the bull by the horns, at least by the time we have attained some position from where our voice will not get choked in the chaotic ruckus of the very system we are taking on.
Why not have the courage of conviction to stand up for something we know is right and to protest against anything that we know is wrong, unfair, and unethical?
There's a wonderful saying - "If you cannot stand up for something (you believe in), you can fall for anything."
Some of us might be wondering why Sehwag would have wanted to challenge the administrators when his own place in the sun was assured, and when his own interest was being well-served.
And how could he be so sure that corruption in DDCA was indeed as rampant and as likely as SRK's presence in a Farah Khan/Karan Johar flick?
Well, I just read an article from the much-respected cricket journo Pradeep Magazine. The following extract from that article brings to light the reason why Sehwag, safely ensconced as an iconic player in the Delhi establishment, would want to make DDCA face the music:
"Those who are wondering why Virender Sehwag, safe in his fame, riches and iconic status, all of a sudden raised his voice and created a chaos in this 'ordered' world, perhaps don't know this story:
For two consecutive years, a young lad from the suburbs of Delhi would go to the selection trials of Delhi cricket, only to be shooed away after facing only half a dozen balls in the nets.
The crestfallen youngster found a godfather in Satish "Neelu" Sharma, who recognised his potential and pitted him against the full might of a DDCA team.
The boy smashed half a dozen sixes in his rampaging hundred, something that has become a signature of almost every Sehwag innings when he plays for India today."
C'mon, get me the popcorn, yaar - this is so very much like a truly, filmy-ly happy ending, with the hero bashing up the baddie in the end! Sweet redemption, Viru!
Aplenty are such scenarios in everyone's life where we just silently witness, and therefore knowingly or unknowingly connive with the trespassers of morality, ethics, and transparency, through our passive stance and tacit approval.
I just hope we all get to learn from Viru, and exhibit similar courage whenever we have our owns trysts with such scenarios. Power to you, Virender Dude Sehwag - this one's been the best six you've hit in your career, sending the ball of corrupt babudom at the cost of sheer talent, well outta the park!
Here's to more such Sehwags - may the club keep growing!
