(Above Left) Dinesh Patel 19, One of the first two Indians to play in the Major League Basebal(AboveRight)India vs Pakistan in Field Hockey another non- traditional sport
Conflict:
Western Civilization is spreading throughout the world, and as this happens, things change in different parts of the world. In India, the sports and recreation events are changing to be more similar to those in the popular regions of the world. Sure, there is still cricket which is the ancestor to America’s pastime, baseball. However, new sports are being played, while others are being forgotten. Sagol Kangjei and Gilli Danda are being replaced with sports such as polo and baseball or cricket. They are being replaced because more people play these sports instead of the traditional ones. As an athlete who plays many different sports and a student at the International Academy, I am very interested in sports world-wide. Older generations still living in India, or born in India, are confused by the way that things have changed since they were kids. They are concerned about the wellbeing of India’s youth because they are doing things that were not necessary when they were young. These balls that kids are hitting with their feet and heads are not being true to their Indian culture. They are Indian so the elders believe that they should act it by playing traditional sports instead of these new ones. The youth in India is getting more influenced by the popular countries such as America and the United Kingdom instead of their culture. Many are afraid that if the children start to copy other places sports, they may begin to copy their culture and religion.
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcD5BoztOWA>
(Above) This clip is of Gilli Danda (Mentioned above). It is the ancestor to baseball.
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfNlxy-L7FQ>
(Above) This clip is of the $1,000,000 talent search for the first Indian baseball players to play in America's MLB
Grandpa: What’s that you’re doing with that metal stick? Off to Gilli Danda?
Grandson: Wow Gramps, it’s called baseball. I don’t play Gilli Danda anymore.
Grandpa: Show me respect and call me Ajja. I thought you loved Gilli Danda.
Grandson: Nobody plays Gilli Danda anymore, they play baseball and futbol.
Grandpa: What?!? Why would they do that, when I was a kid all we did was play Gilli Danda and wrestle each other. Since when did you start playing baseball?
Grandson: But that was when you were a kid Ajja, things have changed. The Americans and Europeans all play them, why not us. I started playing when The Million Dollar Arm contest came looking for players to train and play in America. Rinku Singh and Dinesh Patel are now playing for some American team called the Pirates. I want to be just like them.
Grandpa: You should be playing traditional sports that are part of our culture, not some silly sport that has no cultural significance whatsoever. My grandson would only play Gilli Danda, he used to respect his culture.
Grandson: There is nothing wrong with playing these sports, there is no harm and I will be going out to play with my friends.
Grandpa: Fine! I guess that you and your friends will not listen and just do what those Americans and Europeans do.
Grandson: Okay… whatever.
Grandpa: Do not whatever me, show me some respect, I am your Ajja. And stand up straight. (Grandson stands straight) Good. (Grandson slumps again).
Grandson: I have to go, I do not want to miss b.p.
Grandpa: B.P.???
Grandson: Batting Practice, Batting Practice… jeez, I guess you will never learn. (Jogs away)
Grandpa: The children today are not even playing sports that have any cultural significance, this disapoints me (shifts away).
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