No, not again !!
<non-astrology-rant>
The Maharaja of Kolkata has been again appointed the captain of Indian cricket team... Why can't selectors be a bit more prudent and get rid of this person once and for all? Here is a letter I had sent to Times of India earlier this year (which they did not publish, of course)
From: Kshitij Sharma
To: lettersbg@indiatimes.com
Date: Apr 17, 2005 9:32 PM
Subject: Indian Cricket team - I want my money back
Dear Mr. Editor,
When it comes to the Indian cricket team, who are they answerable to?
a) The BCCI, under whose contracts they play?
b) The brands and corporate houses whose products they endorse?
c) The Indian fans, for patriotism’s sake?
I don’t think it is the third option; otherwise, they would not lose without putting an iota of effort. Let us keep patriotism out of this discussion, and realize that directly or indirectly, they are answerable to the Indian consumer whose spending habits power this economy.
Saurav gets his paycheck because someone buys a particular mobile connection or a television. Rahul waits for someone else to get impressed by his acting skills. Sachin lends his smiles to a motorcycle manufacturer. For every bottle of cold drink that is sold, a portion of the money is paid to the cricketers.
When I, as a consumer, buy a product, I expect a sense of satisfaction. However, a portion of the money that I spend, however miniscule it may be, is being paid to these cricketers, which they do not deserve. It's a waste. Aamir, Amitabh, Shahrukh, as other celebrities who endorse products, at the least entertain us. What do these cricketers do?
All the members of this cricket team, if you have ever endorsed a product, or even otherwise, you are answerable to me. Either get your act straight or make way for others. If you cannot do both, I WANT MY MONEY BACK.
Kshitij Sharma
Bangalore
</non-astrology-rant>
The Maharaja of Kolkata has been again appointed the captain of Indian cricket team... Why can't selectors be a bit more prudent and get rid of this person once and for all? Here is a letter I had sent to Times of India earlier this year (which they did not publish, of course)
From: Kshitij Sharma
To: lettersbg@indiatimes.com
Date: Apr 17, 2005 9:32 PM
Subject: Indian Cricket team - I want my money back
Dear Mr. Editor,
When it comes to the Indian cricket team, who are they answerable to?
a) The BCCI, under whose contracts they play?
b) The brands and corporate houses whose products they endorse?
c) The Indian fans, for patriotism’s sake?
I don’t think it is the third option; otherwise, they would not lose without putting an iota of effort. Let us keep patriotism out of this discussion, and realize that directly or indirectly, they are answerable to the Indian consumer whose spending habits power this economy.
Saurav gets his paycheck because someone buys a particular mobile connection or a television. Rahul waits for someone else to get impressed by his acting skills. Sachin lends his smiles to a motorcycle manufacturer. For every bottle of cold drink that is sold, a portion of the money is paid to the cricketers.
When I, as a consumer, buy a product, I expect a sense of satisfaction. However, a portion of the money that I spend, however miniscule it may be, is being paid to these cricketers, which they do not deserve. It's a waste. Aamir, Amitabh, Shahrukh, as other celebrities who endorse products, at the least entertain us. What do these cricketers do?
All the members of this cricket team, if you have ever endorsed a product, or even otherwise, you are answerable to me. Either get your act straight or make way for others. If you cannot do both, I WANT MY MONEY BACK.
Kshitij Sharma
Bangalore
</non-astrology-rant>
