FACE THE NATION
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No Sir Sachin please, we are Indians
Published on Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 03:11, Updated on Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 03:34 in India section
Tags: Face The Nation, Knighthood
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British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who is on his first visit to India, has promised many Indo-British tie-ups but the one recommendation that has generated the maximum interest is that Sachin Tendulkar be considered for traditional British honours like the knighthood.
Comparing Tendulkar to the legendary Sir Don Bradman, Brown on Monday made a “strong case” for bestowing knighthood on the master blaster.
Noting that cricket is one of the great things that bind the Commonwealth together, he said there was a time when top cricketers from the countries in the grouping would be recognised by the British people through its honoured system.
However, many feel that Tendulkar does not need this honour. Is this a matter of pride for the Indians or merely a colonial hangover? That was the topic of debate on CNN-IBN show Face the Nation.
On the panel of experts to debate the issue were senior journalist Swapan Dasgupta, historian Ramachandra Guha and author and former BBC correspondent Sam Miller.
Indian English – an accident of history
Guha began the debate by saying that Britain has got over its imperial hangover, however some Indians still suffer from a colonial hangover.
Agreeing with the historian, Dasgupta said, “Yes, there is a greater nostalgia for the colonial experience in India than there is in Britain. They have repudiated their past so completely that they have reinvented themselves.”
Towing a similar strain of thought, Miller too said that India has by and large gotten over its colonial hangover. “This is true especially when I compare the nation to when I first came to India 15-20 years ago,” he said.
So, will it make a difference if Tendulkar becomes Sir Sachin?
To which Guha said, “Well Mark Tully is Sir Mark Tully and we even gave him a Padma Shri in recognition of his services to literature and journalism in this country. So it’s a relationship of reciprocity between equals. Sarvepalli Radhakrishna was both a Bharat Ratna and a member of the Order of Merit. So, it’s absolutely fine. Two friendly nations recognising the greatness of the other.”
However, Dasgupta said a lot of people feel that Tendulkar won’t be able to call himself Sir Sachin. “I think it’s more to do with the special status that comes with the title rather than any other honour. It’s the prefix which is unique. Whether Indians agree with it or not, in the heart of hearts all Indians love to have it.”
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URBANEYE
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Are you living in the present world or not or do you know what is meant by an honour? I
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Are you living in the present world or not or do you know what is meant by an honour? I
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Are you living in the present world or not or do you know what is meant by an honour? I
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Its an extremely downtrodden mentality to think that Sachin being referred to as Sir would be an indication of colonial
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come on people.. sachin is one of the best cricketers in the world... if someone wants to honor him.. let
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