Corruption is the unacknowledged mistress of the Indian Politician. Something we live with stoically, though with latent unease, like the ghost in the attic. Then why suddenly all this ballyhoo about bribes, doctored eMails, manipulated tenders and multi crore deals concerning the commonwealth games.
Simple, corruption has poisoned SPORTS, the stormy petrel of national pride, something that makes India feel good. OR Angry. Sportsmen are our only heroes left.
Nehru, Indira Gandhi & ABV may have been the last of India's political icons; in the national lampoon, Indian politician is a venal caricature.
In good old days, before India became obsessed with flat screen TVs, shiny new cars and the great Indian dream of buying an apartment in Gurgaon or Goregaon, corruption was the cocaine of the masses; in the era of 5yr plans, Ambassador cars and Doordarshan there was little else to be self righteous about. But today Tendulkar is God, Bindra and Nehwal are heroes and the voluptuous Sania Mirza critics' favorite subject. Sports is the most powerful face of Indian patriotism; never mind Milkha did badly at the '60 Olympics, he still is a torch bearing hero at most sporting events.
So, when CWG scandals erupted it was dirt flung at the tri-colour itself. Pilits took over sports a long time ago, but those who stay electric in the static of public memory are our sports persons. The Politician by common wisdom IS corrupt. In 1939 Gandhi wrote, "I would go to the lengths of giving the whole congress a decent burial, rather than put up with the corruption that is rampant." But does India care ? (The last scandal that outraged the country was the Bofors or the Urea scam.)
In history, sports is war's splendid heir, its glory sublimating into courage. The Olympic, Football world cup, all celebrate the triumph of human spirit. Into this the Indian Politics has casted a tainted shadow, the Justice may not triumph fully but the country will never forget the 2010 CWG or forgive.
