India, the seventh largest country in the world, is also the second most populous country in the world. Not only it is the second most crowded country, but it arguably a country with the most diversity packed per square capita. There are at least about 20 languages being spoken at the moment, and all major religions freely practiced. And on top of it, there are multitude difference within people from the same geographic area, religion and language. No wonder the British were able to employ the divide-and-rule policy to great success.
Cracks in the joints
Being a country with a large number of inherent fractures, India does demonstrate a great deal of 'Unity in Diversity'. As much as it is touted, it has also caused a number of problems. The problems range from regionalism, favoritism, castism to terrorism and 'secessionism'. There is always a great number of people who feel they are being wronged or do not get the attention of the government due to their different identity. While it is not true every time, unfortunately some times it is.
Cricket, the common denominator
So what are the reasons that keeps India together, despite the diversity. Let's not think in terms of intangibles like, 'the feeling of oneness', 'patriotism' and the like. Religion, language and customs are already ruled out. The history of medieval and ancient India is a proof of India's divisiveness. The real things that bring Indians together are a common cause. The Indian army and Cricket are the biggest factors that gels this mosaic population. While people keep on integrating with one another through the army, it is a silent and unglamorous process. Cricket on the other hand is flamboyant and exhilarating, and it is publicly broadcast to millions of people. It is always great to see Indians of all regions cheer together, when India plays.
The stage
IPL has been a phenomenal success in India. It's rise in popularity is so alarming that international cricket is being seriously challenged by a league format from one country. Currently (10/17/10), there are only 8 teams in the league, covering different zones of India. It might be argued that this might fuel regionalism even more, but coming to think of it, it is much different than the tensions that exist between various Indian states today. For eg. The rivalry between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore would be much more amicable and friendly than that exists between the two states over the border dispute. If in future, the league continues to expand and if it is doubled to include 16 teams, we could have even more regions being represented in the league and henceforth more number of people would feel included in the process of 'Indian' cricket.
So what are the reasons that keeps India together, despite the diversity. Let's not think in terms of intangibles like, 'the feeling of oneness', 'patriotism' and the like. Religion, language and customs are already ruled out. The history of medieval and ancient India is a proof of India's divisiveness. The real things that bring Indians together are a common cause. The Indian army and Cricket are the biggest factors that gels this mosaic population. While people keep on integrating with one another through the army, it is a silent and unglamorous process. Cricket on the other hand is flamboyant and exhilarating, and it is publicly broadcast to millions of people. It is always great to see Indians of all regions cheer together, when India plays.
The stage
IPL has been a phenomenal success in India. It's rise in popularity is so alarming that international cricket is being seriously challenged by a league format from one country. Currently (10/17/10), there are only 8 teams in the league, covering different zones of India. It might be argued that this might fuel regionalism even more, but coming to think of it, it is much different than the tensions that exist between various Indian states today. For eg. The rivalry between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore would be much more amicable and friendly than that exists between the two states over the border dispute. If in future, the league continues to expand and if it is doubled to include 16 teams, we could have even more regions being represented in the league and henceforth more number of people would feel included in the process of 'Indian' cricket.
The Upside
Some of the biggest advantages of this greater participation would be more people to people contact and lesser strife between communities. More players would get an opportunity to plays for various clubs out of their hometowns and more people will cheer for a player of their team, regardless his origin. I would assume, Chennai Super Kings fans would be more grateful than resentful of having their team led by 'North Indian' MS Dhoni.
The introduction of club cricket to more remote regions of India, like the Northeast, will create more jobs, more financial stimulus and greater media attention accelerating their integration. The presence of a popular entity like a cricket club in the region and with a great amount of money and pride at stake, state governments will take an active role in solving the problems of terrorism and separatist sentiments. The renewed financial promises and greater respect in the public eye, can change the psyche of the people from the region leading us to a spiraling trend of money and harmony from the grassroots.
Better and meaningful integration
Instead of singing patriotic songs and asking for calm and peace in the wake of poverty and joblessness, this will be a more effective way to achieve the same results: Strong and united country. If this could help turn around the friction to a healthy rivalry within a country, could it be extended to achieve stability and peace within South Asia..and beyond?
Some of the biggest advantages of this greater participation would be more people to people contact and lesser strife between communities. More players would get an opportunity to plays for various clubs out of their hometowns and more people will cheer for a player of their team, regardless his origin. I would assume, Chennai Super Kings fans would be more grateful than resentful of having their team led by 'North Indian' MS Dhoni.
The introduction of club cricket to more remote regions of India, like the Northeast, will create more jobs, more financial stimulus and greater media attention accelerating their integration. The presence of a popular entity like a cricket club in the region and with a great amount of money and pride at stake, state governments will take an active role in solving the problems of terrorism and separatist sentiments. The renewed financial promises and greater respect in the public eye, can change the psyche of the people from the region leading us to a spiraling trend of money and harmony from the grassroots.
Better and meaningful integration
Instead of singing patriotic songs and asking for calm and peace in the wake of poverty and joblessness, this will be a more effective way to achieve the same results: Strong and united country. If this could help turn around the friction to a healthy rivalry within a country, could it be extended to achieve stability and peace within South Asia..and beyond?
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