The Indian Metamorphosis

This article first appeared on MSN : http://content.msn.co.in/Contribute/Sports/UCStory5984.htm


It was indeed a fantastic win for India considering all the controversies surrounded the team. But amidst all the things that stood out prominently was the attitude of the team. I remember watching cricket as a kid and of course there was some great cricket but like the Good old man Bishen Sigh Bedi had said – We were a team then, full of Champions and we were far away from being a Champion team. It is no longer true today – not just in cricket.

The Indian Metamorphosis (can I call it ?) has taken its due course of time. From the scare of the white skin to the awe of the white skin to the day when we can look in the eye as an equal. Perhaps it stems from the fact that we were ruled by the British and somewhere deep down, it used to play in the psyche? It is difficult to come from there. Consider this – Once a British National told me that he was so proud of the fact that he belongs to a small island which almost at one point had taken control of the whole world! If we weigh the confidence levels of the two individuals – the British national and the Indian of yesterday – it tilts towards the other side! The weighing balance has a different story to tell today. We don't tolerate discrimination and we know in our hearts we are good. We have finally arrived.

Remember the time, when we all crumbled after the opening batsman fell. We knew that the batsman no. 5 was good but could never bring ourselves to pin our hopes on him because, after the first dismissal, it was always the crack in the confidence that was evident. We never attacked in all the matches and we always played with certain worry. We played well sometimes but never had that killer instinct. Finally, yesterday, it was displayed on field and the boys rejoiced in true style.

Our very own Sidhu, said on NDTV, that our courage and conviction won in Brisbane. Both Jadeja and Sidhu said almost the same things about the youngsters in the team. This team didn't care that they were playing some 'greats' in the Australian team. They knew that they were equally good. To believe in oneself and also the confidence that they exuded was evident in the game and that was what made all the difference.

We, as Indians are tolerant and not always as aggressive as others and it has always been so. A little aggression brought some great moments. We now know what we can do, if only we make up our mind and fight in the true spirit of the game. It is true not just in cricket. Take the knowledge industry. It is an accepted fact today that we Indians are bright and have a great deal of intelligence. It was accepted even yesterday but we were often target of some mockery. We also were so humble that we were scared to open our intelligence. Deep down we were scared and also believed that the white man knew better. Today, things may not be totally different but there is a change that is almost evident.

A little pride doesn't hurt. We can pride that we are bright and can gather our guts to call the white man 'wrong' if he is which till yesterday was an impossible task. Fear has finally been conquered and now there is an example which is evident in the smiles of the young cricketers that can be followed through with all our heart.

Our lack of confidence perhaps also stems from the fact that we as a nation are not a rich lot. We believe that air travel, foreign travel, exotic food and a grand lifestyle are the few privileges of the rich. We believe that for a white man, these things are all granted like he is special. Thanks to the software boom many have set foot on a different land. We now know that there are people outside of India who have not set foot on any other country and perhaps never have seen an aeroplane.

Indians are not the only ones who pick up the toiletry kit in the flight given to the business class traveller, there are others too, people from other countries who do that! Surprising? We always thought Indians did such things. They are also but human.

People all over the world are but human and have the same needs and likes. The sooner everyone realises the better. It is now time for the white man to learn a few lessons