Of humour and humility

Inside track

Vox pop surveys done by various news channels suggest that Abdul Kalam would win hands down for a second term as president. His academic qualifications, his seemingly apolitical status, his apparent transparency (the fact that he answers his emails promptly and personally is a big hit) — even his bachelorhood and ‘funky' hair-style — are seen as strong reasons for retaining him in Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Unfortunately, while everybody may have an opinion on the issue, presidents and cricket captains of Indian are not chosen by mass approval. There is a protocol for selection in place for both posts. But while most cricket captains have enjoyed a multiple terms despite poor performances, Presidents have not been that fortunate even if they have done well.

Largely this has to do with the relative complexities of the selection process, and the politics that control these. Yet, cricket's controlling body, for all its internecine problems, is homogenous. The selectors are five in number, which means that the conflicts and dissonance within have been hugely absorbed.

If, despite this cricket can be so controversial, imagine a selection system where the president of India is chosen by all the elected members of both houses of Parliament, plus the elected members of the state assemblies, also including Delhi and Pondicherry, all affiliated to parties with diverse ideologies and agendas. Compounding this is the population quotient value assigned to each member of the assembly, which means that electing can become a mathematical rigmarole even without party politics, which finally determines who becomes president.

Major political   parties — either singly or through coalitions — can make or mar a candidates prospects, and it is a fair reflection of the roller-coaster ride of Indian politics that beginning with S Radhakrishnan, no president has been able to get a second term. President Abdul Kalam's future too depends even more on the direction the hurly burly of Indian politics takes because there are far more parties with far more MPs and MLAs in the power grid, and in a sense is therefore more complicated than nuclear physics. 

In a brief encounter with him a few years ago, I found Kalam to have a sense of humour too which, considering the ‘grave nonsense’ that is sometimes Indian politics, is a clincher. But getting a second term, he will understand, is no laughing matter.

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There is something to be learned from Adam Gilchrist by cricketers young and old, and more specifically the Indian team which leaves for Bangladesh tomorrow on a crucial tour for redemption of lost prestige.

Australia's hero, who played perhaps the most daring and devastating innings ever in a World Cup, says he was fretting, and could not sleep on the eve of the final against Sri Lanka. “My constant thought,” revealed Gilchrist, “was the thought that I had not done enough to justify my place. I was lucky to be playing the final, but that is not good enough for me, so I had to make a contribution.”

Only by his own high standards had Gilchrist's batting been mediocre and it is a reflection of the high standards that Australia expects that even a player of his caliber gets worried about his place if he falls short in a few innings. Perhaps more significant is the fact that Gilchrist considered it his bounden duty to make a significant contribution in the final.

Australia's seemingly interminable reign is obviously built on a strong work ethic and individual commitment. Success is both a matter of pride and purpose, and obviously shapes a player's career.

Had he flopped in the final, Gilchrist would have seriously thought about retiring, as indeed would have the selectors. Now he wants to play for some more time; and so do the selectors and fans.

And therein lies a tale.

Email: ayaz@dnaindia.net