I was wondering of there was something rediff could do to help Mr. Jones -- i.e. set up a web page through rediff.com for donors abroad to send contributions. I am sure the generous NRI's would love to chip in.
I just want to share this thing with you all. I remember vividly seeing an interview on Bangalore Doordarshan a few years ago. And the host was interviewing someone called "Wilson Jones". Well, I just happened to stay on that channel and watched this old man talk. I faintly remembered the name but did not who he was or what his achievements were. I was later shocked to hear that he was a World Champion from India. His voice was breaking at many a times when he spoke about his mistreatment by his own Government though, at no time was he wanting anything in return. He was very candid about everything and mentioned what this reporter mentioned in this article in his own words. It was heart-breaking for one and deeply moving. India has 'Failed' this great champion. Lets stop this now. I have a plea to make - 'I request all the great names in sport in India to form an association to help such legends and help them in their times of need, they deserve that respect.' I am winking very very HARD at the rich Cricketers too !!
Hang on.. I dont get the point. A man is ill and in hospital and his wife and son are with him. Isn't that normal? I was kinda flummoxed when I read that the poor man had only his family to look after him. He is not actually a man dying off the streets then. Oh.. I am forgetting, he was a great Billiards player, won in sevral places etc. Must have won some prize money (the amount guided by the demand-supply position in that sport) and hey.. Government did recognise his contribution by giving him a Padmasree. Now what is all the fuss about? Is government obliged to take care of all ailing champions of all sports in the country? Isn't there anything called personal / familial responsibility? Or does it hold good only for us mere mortals who are not celebrities? What is the logic of asking government or sports bodies to take care of the treatment of this man? Was his illness caused by the sport? Or could it have happenned to anyone of his age? Who should the government spend money on - the poor and the needy or for yester year celebrities? And again what is the primary responsibility of sports bodies - supporting sports talents or supporting lives of elderly sportsmen?
It was sorry to hear about Mr Wilson Jones Heart Attack . But donot blame cricket as some years back cricket great B. S Chandrashekar was riding scooter and met with accident. Nobody helped him too. Why blame Cricket and cricketers
RE:Even great cricketers are not remembered
by Jagan on Apr 30, 2003 01:52 PM
Lets not compare the plight of Wilson Jones and Sylvanus Dung Dung with that of Chandrashekhar.
Its a shame that Sporting Greats are left in the lurch by their own countrymen and government.
Today, Indian cricket and cricketers reap in such a big haul of money that mere finger injury is opearted upon in the States and the entire bill is footed by the BCCI. Can somebody argure that Sachin does not have the money to foot his own medical bills ? Is it the same with Wilson Jones? C'mon. Give us a break. Its high time we start to treat Cricketers as yet another bunch of sportsmen and not as Super humans.
All said and done, our cricketers palyed miserably at the WC final. No other cup final was as one-sided as the last one.
While Mr. Wilson Jones deserves all the assistance and sympathies. there are several other personalities, including cricketers, who had reached pinnacle in their specialised field during their younger years, and who subsequently are in dire straits and no one to look to succour and sympathies.
While we all wish Mr. Jones a speedy recovery, I can't understand the need for the writer to unneccessarily drag in cricketers. It's just that cricketers earn more money and are famous than their counterparts in other sports.
It is very disappoiting to learn these facts.we all are victim of our politicians in some or other way.The people who need help and recognition are the one who are most ignored.if we forget those people who bring glory to us, soon we will not find people who are ready to do something for india.These politicians are sucking our blood. We are victims of their policies, ignorance and their selfishness.I know these politicians will do nothing, therefore, i request every indian to do something for our india. More than that we need to be helpful, caring and generous to each other.People like WILSON JONES need recognition, respect and financial support.we should do our best to help people like him.
Its really bad to see people who made india proud, have to suffer so badly.India cant perform on world's scale until and unless sportsman is ben ensured that he wont have to sell his medal to feed his family.