Disdained Arena

Naorem Sumanjit Singh *

I woke up with real terror that night, along with an everlasting and never ending pain. My hand was in real agony and the pain was unbearable. It took quite a while for me to soothe the trembling hand, and finally realize what I had done in the dream. As a matter of fact, I was in a boxing arena, and I was not who I am. I was someone very daring and dashing. I saw crowds cheering me, and I was punching my opponent with my hungry fist, which actually turned out to be the wall right beside my bed in reality. Finally after the pain receded, I laughed to myself. But my smile faded as I suddenly realized the hardship a real player must have come across to shine as a nation’s glory.

My mind was desperate that night wondering why only the Chinese or the Americans are able to snatch the medals and why not us, the Indians. We seem to lack so much in various fields, when compared to other nations. Why do we give interest only to a few sports, and not the whole? I do agree and feel proud that our country has good name in cricket, but when we see all the games and sports as a whole, I feel remorse arousing in my mind. We are still at the bottom, clinging to a thin thread and shouting or showing uneasiness when other players win medals, instead of realizing what can be done to set things on the right track. Like exams, where we normally study a day before the paper, I have a great doubt that in the next Olympics, we are going to face the same heart break.

Why does the government not bring up certain plans as to how things works for nations like China, America etc., and not India? What do other countries commit to glorify their nation in terms of sport? Our nation felt disheartened seeing the poor, embarrassing performance of our players, and will continue with the same trauma unless and until certain necessities are being looked up. We have come across many good players from the North-Eastern states of India. They are quite good in certain fields like boxing, archery, football, judo, weightlifting etc., but in my view, there are many more good players who needs nourishment from this part of the nation. But they are ignored or abandoned, and denied equal importance to cricket. We have strong legs to kick the ball, but the government seems negligent in giving us the amenities.

When I was in my sixth standard I came across the line that says – 'India is a developing country'. Now, I have completed my graduation, but I still find that line with the same content. So when are we going to see the change in the book? Seeing all the dirty work inside the constitution does not assure my belief of a great nation. It is peak time for the government to give equal care to all the branches of development, and not only a few. Our government seems careless enough to neglect or underestimate certain areas where things require help. Our government seems content with whatever it has, and doesn’t want to fill up the empty gaps that can actually make our nation the leading country.

I don’t have a television, neither do I have an internet connection where I can see regular updates of current events happening at the London Olympics. But I do have mobile internet, and that is satisfying enough to provide me with all the news. But I really do want a television, where I can excite my interest even more by seeing live events.

I do understand a world where there are people with no roof for shelter in rainy monsoons. I have seen peoples with lots of suffering, but what can I possibly do rather than feel for them? I want to extend help to them to some extent, and I know my responsibility as an Indian. I just need to wait till the time is right for me to extend my hands, to guide along, giving a path for the tendrils of the sprouting saplings, so as to reach the extreme edge of maturity, to achieve fame in the world.

I almost forgot the pain in my hand but another pain, more aching then the previous one, was starting to brew. It was not physical. It was deep in my heart, where I finally realized the disdained part of sports, longing to be nurtured from the hard soil which needs to be watered; water which is available only to the rulers of the nation. My belief was not blown off though. I have a vision of a great nation with people following the ethics of humanity, and ultimately realizing the responsibilities. I do hope for this day in the near future.

After the pain finally recedes, my eyes started to flip down out of drowsiness. My dream was holding out its hand to continue the wonderful journey of sports. Without any hesitation, I hold out my hands too. But this time I made sure that I shifted my bed far from the wall in case I start punching again.