What a terrible disappointment it is for the whole of our country. The one gold medal we hoped to win, was snatched away because of 150 grams!
Even as I share the sadness of all my countrymen, still, there’s a lesson we have to learn from here; a lesson I draw from the reactions of many.
Said one leader, to the head of our Olympic association to explore all options and appeal against the decision. Says another, that there seems to be some foul play, and another that we are being judged unfairly.
And in these reactions, we see how we handle truth and try to get around justice.
A few months ago, dishonest and corrupt opposition leaders who were nailed for their crimes by government authorities suddenly had cases withdrawn because they either joined the ruling party, or shut their mouths.
But today, we find much to our chagrin that in the international arena, weighing scales don’t lie, and that after they have spoken, justice is absolute.
We were quite perturbed when international agencies showed our country, sliding down the index of poverty, hunger, corruption and freedoms of speech and press.
We kept shouting that those countries were plain jealous of our economic status, till the election results showed that the poor who form the majority in our country were reacting strongly against their lack of jobs and lack of bare necessities.
If the government had taken note of the data presented instead of getting prickly and sensitive, they could have rectified matters.
They didn’t. They blamed the weighing scales.
But weighing scales don’t lie.
No, they don’t and when we are faulted for a technical lapse, we make ourselves fools when we shout about appeals or stating that the agencies had a vindictive agenda.
I am as disappointed as the rest of the country over the result but even in the biggest disappointment or failures there are lessons we need to learn: Let us start believing in absolutes like justice, freedom, and equality. Stop using words like ‘appeal’ and ‘adjust’ and ‘fixing’ when weighing scales give results.
Today, justice has become such a faint hope to people in our country, that arbitrators have become more used than judges, and the first sentence mentioned during arbitration is that ‘justice or the verdict is going to take twenty years, so give up something, so that both parties are happy’.
Which means compromise, though you are right.
We have got so used to doing this that bullies use this route, grabbing property and land because ultimately, they walk away with something for nothing, though they are in the wrong legally.
Vinesh Phogat cannot join the ruling party and find her disqualification revoked, because in the international arena, weighing scales don’t lie, and truth is absolute..!
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Bob, you are absolutely right that weighing machines do not lie. Machines have no senses and feelings and do the work for which they are designed for and make no partiality. No matter what we feel, we have no choice but to accept the rules of the game.
Just 150 grams. The country could have stood by her, could have fought for her!
Extra 150 grams could be of the singlet!
Unfortunately she is dehydrated by the political hatred…
When it comes to justice, there is no room for compromise because, whatever affects one directly, affects all others indirectly in one way or the other.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
Absolutely right Ayesha, thank you!
Excellent read.
It was heartbreaking to watch Vinesh Phogat’s gold medal slip away.
To me and her billion fans, she has already won the gold for our country and deserves to be applauded for her dedication and hard work.
My only regret is that Vinesh would have become a “sporting” legend if she had graciously accepted defeat and kept her “athletic pledge” of “I WILL PLAY TRUE.”
In any game, be it wrestling, football, or even life….it is “how we play the game” that counts.
Vinesh(WIN+ACE)
I almost won gold but suddenly, it got “sold.”
Coz, I “weighed more” I was told.
My heart skipped a beat.
A voice in my head said “this feat I won’t repeat.”
But I commit to my pledge and will not cheat.
I’m a true sport and accept the truth.
My dedication and hard work will surely bear fruit.
A billions fans are now with me.
I’m more determined and stronger as can be.
Everyone should be serious about conditions at olympic.Such silly mistake,how can it happen and why nation should repent on this? It only shows casual way of living in all corners of life by we Bharatiy!
Heartbreaking for sure, no doubt on that. At the same time plenty of food for thought. Yes, scales don’t lie but there could be differences between scales..
The question is, wasn’t her weight taken before…and why after the event….was there a doubt?! And, the reason for the doubt….these need to be answered while accepting the decision gracefully and sportingly.
Rules have to be followed strictly. Now rules are very clear. But Fogat reached at final stage. How her performance reaching upto final stage can be ignored. This is very sddening. She deserves Silver medal ????????????????????????????
Rightly said BOB. In today’s world we find more weightage given for injustice and when voiced for justice, all our feelings with facts are brutally murdered with no room left for compromise..
Lawrence, Ayesha, Sharad and you are right, Bobby. It is sad but justice has to be done. We can’t expect to get grace marks. We’ve to be sportive and be more thorough in following laws to expect to win medals.