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SNOOKER champion Yasin Merchant is weary of waiting in cue (spelling error deliberate and pun intended). Bandra-based Asian Snooker Champion (twice), Asian Games Snooker gold medallist, Arjuna awardee, national snooker champion, world snooker team silver medallist and India's highest ranking professional snooker player has shot off an emotional letter to All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Rahul Gandhi on being bypassed for the Padma Shri award recently.

Anguished

HITTING ACROSS THE LINE: Yasin Merchant

An anguished Yasin (43) says, "I couriered this letter to Rahul Gandhi and have sent a copy to Priya Dutt too." Excerpts from Yasin's two-page letter read: 'All synonyms defining the word disappointment racked my body as I browsed through the list of fortunate recipients who have been 'honoured' by India.

The list was high profile, as it should be, comprising sports people who belong to the nation's most loved sport, whose earlier recipients did not even consider the Padma award ceremony worthy of their presence, but they still get favoured. The list included performers who are in their late 70's, 80's or even 90's, to whom it wouldn't matter if it was day or night. Not grudging their award --  just the timing of their receiving it. The list included the 'elite' who have just a few cases of alleged fraud tagged along their name.

Role models?
'Most importantly the list included, 'Youth Icons' who have been conferred with Padma Bhushans and Padma Shris for setting such examples like being allegedly involved in killing endangered species, having live-in relationships, abandoning wives and kids and moving on to 'greener pastures', getting involved in immature, juvenile digs at fellow performers. Are these the role models for our children?'    
   
The letter then goes on to state Yasin's achievements, before stating bitterly, 'I do not have very strong political connections, nor do I have the desire to buy these awards (was told a price too this time). I also do not have the patience and inclination to go around begging for recommendation letters from MPs and MLAs, as the formality for these awards demands. Ludicrous!! A sportsman running around in circles, waiting at MPs and MLAs offices, just so that he can benevolently be graced with a recommendation letter, buttering up assistants and PAs just to get an appointment with the very same MLA, who only a few months ago went from door to door with folded hands seeking re-election."

What a sham!
It ends with: 'You call this a formal system to apply for the awards? Nothing but a sham! A pathetic excuse to feed the already inflated egos of the bureaucrats and an opportunity to shame the achievers of our country into submission – that is all it is. Till this year I was very keen to be honoured with the Padma Shri, but after having tried really hard this year too (through performances and nothing else), my heart, body and soul say only one thing, let the government take its Padma Awards and stuff them where pain would know no limits'.

Yasin clarifies, "Let me add that not everybody is undeserving, there are people like Saina Nehwal in the list who fully deserve the award. But with this letter, I want to vent out my frustration of so many years. One day before the awards were announced, I at 43, beat a man of 24 at a major championship in Chennai."