Fresh after a defeat, when the player is likely to be emotionally overwhelmed, is an inopportune time to take stock and do an analysis. I was surprised at the timing of Padukone's comments too, never mind the contents. I too remember watching him say "Play freely" from the sidelines. But his posture, sitting back in his chair, exuded no energy. It suggested that he was done with the match even before it was over.
There's something you've picked out in the "we didn't have this much; you should be grateful" thinking. I think it is the thinking of someone who lived at a time of scarcity directed at someone who lives in a time of abundance--plenty of coaches, facilities, financial support, etc. This same thinking extends to "people are stomachs, not brains". No matter how much you feed them, do for them, they only want more.
I totally get Padukone's sentiment - I am sure he rose to world number 1 with little or no (material) support. My point is that just because the State is providing the infrastructure, we are not justified in demanding medals in return. I wanted to evoke Dravid's mantra of 'sticking to the process'. Results may not always go our way, but we stay focused on what we can control. He got flak from the fans for not winning a cup for years but finally that work ethic paid off!
I'm surprised by Padukone's sentiment. As a coach (I'm not sure of the exact nature of his association), it doesn't help for Padukone to compare a current player with the player he was. He must wear a different hat and the player hat actually gets in the way of clear thinking for Lakshya and others being mentored by him.
AFAIK Lakshya Sen has been training at the Prakash Padukone Academy since he was a young child. This interview triggered me to write this but all of us - coaches, federations, media and fans - behave in this same unhealthy ways making our athletes feel that they owe us medals simply because they are getting better facilities than the previous generations. Although I am using the interview as an example, it is about the whole lot of us.
you have put words to my thoughts. This is such a handicapping attitude that our society has. Forget sports and art which needs patronage. Even in areas like IT employment companies like TCS and Infy have managed to survive with long tenured employees without any substantial payback, thanks to making them and their families emotional about how they are treat as a global family and how much they should feel gratitude that they had a chance to get this job. It is so tiring and is one thing which is surely keep us back as a nation.
Thank you for reading and your feedback, Brijesh. Even while writing this, I thought about this aspect but didn't delve into it in this essay. It is probably tied to our history of Monarchy/British Raj/Zamindari/License Raj etc. They are the 'mai-baap' and we have to be happy and grateful for whatever we get.
What a stellar essay Karthik! And very insightful. As someone who does not follow sports, it was so nice to read a new perspective. I loved how you connected this to how we are 'trained' to excel from childhood - now that's something we are all too familiar with.
Thank you, Samira! I reasoned with myself for an entire day. He is a former great, has done so much for the sport, he is of course disappointed, he is not entirely wrong - and so on. Until I figured why I was feeling so uneasy about it.
Thank you for writing this. I couldn't pen down my angst, but the parallel you drew with expecting good grades was spot on! The athletes don't owe us anything. Would Padukone say the same thing about his daughter? I don't think so. Regardless he was insensitive and harsh.
Anyone who saw Lakshya playing his matches could visibly see his mental fortitude and skills - that is what I took away from watching his matches learning mental toughness.
Hi Aditi, Thank you for your response. Yes, parents often disregard a child's maturity and agency. I feel that parents pick up unhealthy parenting habits from their own parents. Unless a parent is self-reflective, they are unable to change this pattern. I could see that we all (coaches, federations, media and fans) behave in this same unhealthy ways making our athletes feel that they owe us medals simply because they are getting better facilities than the previous generations. My ears turned red when I heard the journalist say, 'mollycoddling and pampering' when talking about a 22 year old man who also happens to be among the best Indian players in his generation.
Really well put. Yes just being aware of what you are saying and how the other person will feel is important. Again more things to learn from sports and life in general.
Thank you for writing this! I have been feeling the same throughout the Olympics. The athletes owe us nothing, and we make the situation a whole lot worse by blaming the ones who come close. Why should future athletes try?
Fresh after a defeat, when the player is likely to be emotionally overwhelmed, is an inopportune time to take stock and do an analysis. I was surprised at the timing of Padukone's comments too, never mind the contents. I too remember watching him say "Play freely" from the sidelines. But his posture, sitting back in his chair, exuded no energy. It suggested that he was done with the match even before it was over.
There's something you've picked out in the "we didn't have this much; you should be grateful" thinking. I think it is the thinking of someone who lived at a time of scarcity directed at someone who lives in a time of abundance--plenty of coaches, facilities, financial support, etc. This same thinking extends to "people are stomachs, not brains". No matter how much you feed them, do for them, they only want more.
I totally get Padukone's sentiment - I am sure he rose to world number 1 with little or no (material) support. My point is that just because the State is providing the infrastructure, we are not justified in demanding medals in return. I wanted to evoke Dravid's mantra of 'sticking to the process'. Results may not always go our way, but we stay focused on what we can control. He got flak from the fans for not winning a cup for years but finally that work ethic paid off!
I'm surprised by Padukone's sentiment. As a coach (I'm not sure of the exact nature of his association), it doesn't help for Padukone to compare a current player with the player he was. He must wear a different hat and the player hat actually gets in the way of clear thinking for Lakshya and others being mentored by him.
AFAIK Lakshya Sen has been training at the Prakash Padukone Academy since he was a young child. This interview triggered me to write this but all of us - coaches, federations, media and fans - behave in this same unhealthy ways making our athletes feel that they owe us medals simply because they are getting better facilities than the previous generations. Although I am using the interview as an example, it is about the whole lot of us.
you have put words to my thoughts. This is such a handicapping attitude that our society has. Forget sports and art which needs patronage. Even in areas like IT employment companies like TCS and Infy have managed to survive with long tenured employees without any substantial payback, thanks to making them and their families emotional about how they are treat as a global family and how much they should feel gratitude that they had a chance to get this job. It is so tiring and is one thing which is surely keep us back as a nation.
Thank you for reading and your feedback, Brijesh. Even while writing this, I thought about this aspect but didn't delve into it in this essay. It is probably tied to our history of Monarchy/British Raj/Zamindari/License Raj etc. They are the 'mai-baap' and we have to be happy and grateful for whatever we get.
Resonated with me so much 👏
What a stellar essay Karthik! And very insightful. As someone who does not follow sports, it was so nice to read a new perspective. I loved how you connected this to how we are 'trained' to excel from childhood - now that's something we are all too familiar with.
Thank you, Samira! I reasoned with myself for an entire day. He is a former great, has done so much for the sport, he is of course disappointed, he is not entirely wrong - and so on. Until I figured why I was feeling so uneasy about it.
Thank you for writing this. I couldn't pen down my angst, but the parallel you drew with expecting good grades was spot on! The athletes don't owe us anything. Would Padukone say the same thing about his daughter? I don't think so. Regardless he was insensitive and harsh.
Anyone who saw Lakshya playing his matches could visibly see his mental fortitude and skills - that is what I took away from watching his matches learning mental toughness.
Hi Aditi, Thank you for your response. Yes, parents often disregard a child's maturity and agency. I feel that parents pick up unhealthy parenting habits from their own parents. Unless a parent is self-reflective, they are unable to change this pattern. I could see that we all (coaches, federations, media and fans) behave in this same unhealthy ways making our athletes feel that they owe us medals simply because they are getting better facilities than the previous generations. My ears turned red when I heard the journalist say, 'mollycoddling and pampering' when talking about a 22 year old man who also happens to be among the best Indian players in his generation.
Really well put. Yes just being aware of what you are saying and how the other person will feel is important. Again more things to learn from sports and life in general.
What a powerful essay! Thank you for writing this, Karthik. We need this perspective urgently :)
Thank you, thank you! :)
Thank you for writing this! I have been feeling the same throughout the Olympics. The athletes owe us nothing, and we make the situation a whole lot worse by blaming the ones who come close. Why should future athletes try?
Thank you, Amrita. Oh yes, how do they not see that by hankering after medals, we are creating the pressure that the players are wilting under.
What an excellent piece, Karthik!
Thank you for the perspective. For speaking up for those who “lose”
Thank you so much, Natasha :)