It has been five years since Sachin Tendulkar became a Rajya Sabha MP but he had remained notorious throughout for his abysmal attendance and for not participating in discussions. However, for the first time, when the former cricketer decided to speak, his maiden speech was marred with Congress stalling the session.
Sachin had moved a Short Discussion Motion on the future of sports in the country and right to play. However, members of Congress did not let the cricketing legend speak, instead demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clarify on his remarks against former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the Gujarat poll campaign. Uttering only “Mr Chairman”, he stood in silence for 10 minutes, uncertain on how to proceed.
Sachin instead took to social media to share his views and posted a 15-minute long video and wrote, “It is my endeavour to transform India from being a sport loving nation to a sport playing nation. I urge you all to participate in this effort and help make my dream, our dream. Always remember, dreams do come true! Jai Hind.” In the video, Sachin emphasised on making India a healthy and fit nation. He spoke about India being the diabetic capital of the world and being at the third spot when it comes to obesity, hereby asking Indians to build a sporting culture in the country as otherwise a young, unfit India will be a recipe for disaster.
His emphasis on health does not come as a surprise. Previously, he had converted a village in the Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, that he had adopted, and made it open defecation free. Soon celebrities and thousands of fans took to Twitter to appreciate Sachin’s move and backed his thoughts. Mithali Raj wrote, “Oh yes! With you on this @sachin_rt I have always said-pick a sport, stick with it & see what that does to you. I stand with Sachin. Do you? (sic)” Bollywood, too, was not left behind. Arjun Kapoor wrote, “He speaks from his heart and if @sachin_rt sir has a dream then India must help fulfill it... every child must have a chance to play and learn and every parent should support and allow the children to dream...India must play !!! (sic).”
This reminds us of Sachin’s first Test in 1989 where he was bowled by Waqar Younis. Hit in the face, a bloodied Sachin swept away the piece of tooth that had fallen on the pitch and waved the bowler to continue. He went on to play a heroic innings. Maybe, soon, Sachin will stoop to conquer again, this time in the Rajya Sabha when times is running out on his first term.
