Unmukt Chand ~ St.Stephens ~ Who promotes who?

A young India led by Virat Kohli made Indians proud when they won the under-19 world cup in Malaysia back in 2008. Recently, we witnessed history getting repeated when Unmukt Chand's Indian team won the same world cup this year in Australia. When Virat Kohli won it in the continent, Unmkut's achievement was superior because they won it in the unfamiliar, tough conditions of the Aussies. More importantly, Unmukt stood up to the need of the team, rose to the occasion and played a match-winning knock past century in the stiff final encounter against the hosts.

But all the rejoice and all the moments of superbia faded when Unmukt Chand was detained from college for poor attendance. St.Stephens, the prestigious institution Unmukt was doing his course at, insisted that the primary focus of anybody should be on his academics.

Unmukt's attendance was as low as 8%. But all the reasons St.Stephens college put forth backfired when the college's decision led to severe outburst across the nation. Finally we read in the newspaper that the Union Sports Minister interfered in the issue and as a result of various continuous incidents, Unmukt was finally promoted.

This is what we saw and heard from the media. Looking at the same thing from a different angle will be really interesting.

Unmukt wins the world cup for India. Unmukt was internationally famous but how many of us knew that he was a student of St.Stephens?

Unmukt obviously spent his time towards cricket than academics. Winning the world cup was the best reward for his commitment as well as the best proof that the classes he missed was worth it. But still Stephens wants to detain him. In simple terms, Stephens wants to make it clear that they are a college which gives utmost importance to academics. How many of us were bewildered by their act?

In the much-expected climax, St.Stephens promotes Unmukt. St.Stephens and their management become heroes. A definite good deed they have done, haven't they?

Once one starts cross-examining things, many of the hidden agendas become clear. Through this incident, St.Stephens got promoted. They proudly conveyed that winners like Unmukt Chand belong to their college. They also made it a point that academics is what they give their focus on, than any other thing under the sun. Finally, they earned a good-boy image by finally promoting Chand, all of which means if they had promoted Unmukt without any such controversies and second thoughts, all these wouldn't have happened. Now St.Stephens gets extra publicity and goodwill.

Doesn't it look like a well-scripted drama? A give and take policy? I get promoted by promoting you?