Woman of Letters: A Crying Shame

Malavika Sangghvi, DNA, Mumbai, 5 October 2014: Following the extraordinary moment when boxer Sarita Devi sobbed on the podium and refused her medal, Malavika Sangghvi writes her a letter.
Dear Sarita Devi, Without going into the rights and the wrongs or the protocol of international sports bodies and whether the semi-final match you were fighting in the Asian Games medal this Tuesday in Incheon, Korea was fixed or not, I want to tell you that with your extraordinary response on Wednesday, when, in front of the world's cameras and eyes, you sobbed like a child on the podium, refused to accept your bronze medal and presented it to who you thought was the cause of your nemeses, you have carved for yourself a permanent spot in that place in our hearts where the sun never shines.

Who amongst us has not felt similar anguish when life has seemed so unfair and the world has turned against us and our best efforts have failed?

When our essay in school was graded below that of some one else, and we knew that it was done for the wrong reason, we have felt like you. When our contract or bid for a project was rejected for motives other than their worth, we have felt like you.

When we lost out on a job because some one who didn't deserve to trumped us at the post, we have felt like you. When our children didn't get in to the schools and colleges they deserved to, because we couldn't afford to bribe the authorities, we have felt like you.

When we were passed up for a promotion, or we lost out to our inferiors, or we were that close to achieving our dreams and the rug was suddenly pulled from under our feet, we have felt like you.

When the going was tough, we have felt like you; when we had no hope, we have felt like you; when the night was dark, we have felt like you; when there was no silver lining in the cloud, we have felt like you. When we were betrayed by those we trusted or loved, we have felt like you.

When the rich and powerful got away with murder, we have felt like you; when the game was fixed against us, we have felt like you; when the dice was loaded, we have felt like you.

And all those other times too we have felt like you: when we did our best, gave it our all, sacrificed our lives and still didn't win.

When we were told to take courage, be strong, accept defeat gracefully and this too shall pass, we have felt like you.

Like you when we were humiliated, let down, hurt destroyed. When we were defeated, beaten friendless and alone.

Standing there, sobbing like a child on a podium in Incheon, Korea, dear Sarita Devi, born on the same day as Mary Kom and equally deserving of the same glory, in that one split second when the world's spotlight was on you, you were not crying for that lost medal alone, or for the unfairness of the judging.

In that one moment you stood for every injustice and hurt and unfairness of mankind. You did not cry alone, the entire world's injustices wept through you.

Thank you for giving us that one unguarded moment when we all remembered how very vulnerable, human and hurt we've all been at some point of our lives. Thank you for connecting us to that pain and reminding us of it. Thank you for crying for all the times when we should have, but could not, when we have felt like you.

And yes, what happened to you on Tuesday was a crying shame.

Yours sincerely, etc

malavikasmumbai@gmail.com