Harbhajan or "Bhajji" or "Bajji" what ever...
Is he representing India?
I wish not. If he is, then we should hung our head in shame about the way we have been brought up.
Let me give a reason for the above observation.
Yesterday (10/08/09) I was relaxing after a hard day at work and watching a programme called "Passport Control" in the TV. In this programme, they use to show their immigration process and their Airport controls by recording the actual incidents happened at their airport. In this case, it was Auckland Airport.
These kind of programmes are usually broadcasted in UK by the countries like Australia and New zealand for various purposes including to warn the would be trouble makers. This broadcast is also used for informing, the would be immigrants about what do and what not to do.
It is a very mundane and somewhat boring programme for me, since I have already been to that part of the world.
But suddenly, the programme became very interesting, because they were showing the arrival of Indian Cricket Team to New zealand.(Was it 2003 or 2009??).
Before the team came on the Airport, the reception protocol crews in the immigration department were mentioning very high about these cricketers and they are very much exited to have an opportunity to see them.
When the team entered the arrival hall, the immigration protocol officer, receives them and explains them about the immigration and customs rule of the Newzealand and also explains the process through which the team will be taken through. Everybody accepts it.
The camera was focusing on Sachin Tendulkar and the commentator was talking very highly about him and about the rest of the team. They show Mr. Bajji and talks about his bowling achievement.
The process is that everybody will be given a questioner in which everybody has to declare about the items they are carrying in their luggage and its condition. Australia and Newzealand has very strict customs inspection with regard to the Food, plant and agriculture products. These things are totally banned. They really think that their Eco structure will be deeply disturbed by the introduction of foreign species of flora and fauna. Hence they are very careful about it. (Not like India!).
Everyone answers their questions and their bags are scanned and they are all cleared except our Bajji. Our Sardar has not bothered to mention that he has shoes in his bag and some cricket kits. His bags were scanned and the authorities were stunned to find shoes..... not one or two..But 10 pairs.
So our Bajji was taken to a near by table and the bags were opened. Shoes upon shoes comes out of his bags. Many of them were pretty dirty with mud and grass still there. The protocol Officer was not very happy, because this is a clear violation to his instructions and he deceides to move on. The customs officer was very polite and gives an opportunity for Bajji to explain this. But our sardar was not in a mood to talk to these "chotte - motte" customs officer. He was busy texting in his mobile.
When he was asked about why he did not declare these items, then our sardar replies
..."I can't be bothered about these things" and he continues.."
will they repack these things...Because I cannot do it". He says this with his hands still doing the text. He never sees the other officers who are going through his things. It looks like he considers them as pest and he doesn't care about what happens next.
He never acknowledge the presence of two more customs officials. He never makes eye contact with them. He does not smile. In total, HE WAS VERY RUDE.
To top it all he says to the camera that he does not wish to come back again, which is funny. Because, with his attitude he may be banned from coming into Newzealand again, so his wish may come true.
Then the fun starts. One officer approaches him with a statement about his rights of appeal, since he is going to be fined for not declaring certain items. When he hands over the statement, Bajji still playing with his phone does not reply to the officer and very hesitant to take the paper.
He says.."What is this?". I won't be surprised if that officer thinks that Mr. Bajji couldn't read.
The Officer replies.."Your rights and the details of fines".
Bajji mumbles.." I can do a thing about this".."Give it to my manager". (What a reply?...truly regal!!)
The Officer polity asks "Where is your manager?"
Because, all the other player and the manager has already left the customs hall and they are just waiting for Bajji, who is still very unco-operative and hostile.
Finally, the manager was found and he was informed that Mr. Bajji is fined for $200/-
(Actually, it coule be anywhere between $ 200 to $ 100000/-. The customs were very leniant and they let them go with just $ 200/-.)
The manager is so stressed about the delay he does not want to speak to the camera and just pays the fine and moves on. I still don't understand about why the manager paid the money. Mr. Bajji should have been left in the Airport customs to deal with his misbehaviour. That would have taught him a lesson.
But our Bajji fumes that injustice has been done to him. He says.."Hey..let them come India..When they come to India, they are being treated as royals..They being taken directly from the Airport to Hotel...no customs..no checking...But you see here"...
Also he fumes.."We are not criminals".. (No body said that he was....Why he was assuming.)
On the other hand, even after all these rude provocative behaviour by Mr. Bajji, the customs officials continue to maintain their calm and did their duty with a smile.
But surely they were disappointed by the actions for Mr. Bajji.
One remarked with a smile..."Come on..they are International cricketers. They can do better than this. It is pretty low. Never mind. We will do our job"
So tell me...Is he representing us? No..He should not.
This raises lot of questions about Mr. Bajji and his attitude and our Indian sports culture.
1. Why Bajji thinks that he is above the law.? Even Sachin (The Mega star in India)was very polite and did his bit and followed the rule..Why not Bajji.?
2. Why Mr. Bajji thinks that he can treat people with a disdain and still command respect?
3. Will Mr. Bajji accept similar disrespect?
4. Why Mr. Bajji thinks that the foreign customs officials should act in the similar dis functional way like our Indian counter part?
5. Does he know that Nobody is given a special treatment by the Customs of the countries like Singapore, US, UK, AUS, NEWZEALAND and many others. With regard to the diplomatic passport holders, these matters are handled by a special team, but the law remains same.
6. Does Mr. Bajji know that he is not sent by the Government of India on a mission and he is just an ordinary player sent by a PRIVATE CRICKET CLUB (or Association which is known as Board of Cricket control of India).?
7. Does he know that Other than India, every other country appreciates its sporting personalities for their achievements on the grounds, however, they were always treated as any body else? They don't bend the rules for some loony cricketer who just took some wickets in a major cricket match.
To top it all, in countries like Newzealand human dignity is respected, no matter what job you do. Whether you are a movie star, cricket player,football legend or a bus driver it does not matter. Everybody is respected and everybody is expected to abide by the law. In Airports people push their own baggage trolleys. No crooners follows the player to do this job. People take pride in doing their own chores, unlike in India where people need some one tie their show laces.
I don't think that Mr. Bajji is setting up a good example to be followed by the coming generation. Whether he takes 30 wickets or 300 wickets, he will still be remembered as pompous prat.
People who have self respect and humbleness (Like sachin) always achieve their full potential and mostly they are happy. They also have better quality of life in their country. In india, where more people are like Mr. Bajji and the result is left to your imagination.
Personally, he is a prat with a very bad attitude. I am really sorry to say this. He has been brought up in a very pampered surroundings. Since he is the only son in his big family of five sisters, he must have got what he wanted. He has no humilty and his parents has not taught him that. It is a shame.
These images are not shown in Indian media, where these reckless, manner less people are blown out of proportions. They are hailed as the super stars with great qualities, where as these people are quite opposite to that.
After seeing this, now we should start believing certain things which Mr. Pointing and company said about Mr. Bajji or what ever..
