Rahul Dravid gets Padma Bhushan – Finally!
Rahul Dravid has recently been awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Indian Government. Did we hear any clarion calls for the recognition of this great batsman? No. But, we did all the sharing of pictures and tweeting incessantly for a Bharat Ratna for Sachin Tendulkar. Rahul Dravid may not be such a household name, but, not to an extent of surfacing in every citizen’s breath.
Rahul Dravid played a sheet anchor role in an era when his peers were either seen on par with God – Ganguly and Tendulkar – or they were swatted away like they were bugs on windshield. Rahul Dravid was one of the unsung heroes of his era. When the entire team collapsed like a house of cards, ‘The Wall’ carved a niche for himself in a cozy corner of the pitch and commanded the opposition like a Marshall.
Recognition is not the biggest hope of a champion, but if you don’t bestow the recognition he deserves, you are not snatching fame from him, but you are merely getting to the wrong side of karma. You are denying class the respect it deserves.
But, the old warhorse did not crave for attention, all it cared was for its team’s success and it didn’t rest until all its packs of fuel died down. Rahul Dravid retired gracefully although if he wished, he could have stayed longer. But, he rightly felt that he was being a liability to the team and made way for players like Pujara and Rahane.
When he arrived with a bang in the India’s tour of England, the nation knew it had a star, but it totally forgot when it got gripped by the Tendulkar fever. In between stars like Yuvraj and Dhoni have come and Dravid’s presence had been totally forgotten.
We should be happy that Rahul Dravid has been recognized by the Indian government finally. He may have amassed several awards from various cricketing boards and unions, but nothing would equal when your nation thanks you with an award. This award is for Rahul’s penance-like career and saint-like effort!
Tags: Cricket, India, Padma Bhushan, Rahul Dravid, Sports, The Sports Mirror
