SRT's New Score on Twitter; But Who's Counting?

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Sreelata YellamrazuMay 7 2010

From Twitter controversy, India appears to have hit upon “Twitteuphoria” (not a word yet). It seems to be the new summer time mission and even Sachin Tendulkar has been bought into it - all for a good laugh, but for a purpose that is in keeping with what happens when the sun bears down a little too much on idle minds.

sachin tendulkar poster in allahabad

So, what's news? Well, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar is on Twitter. But it is a gimmick, not that he needs the marketing or the publicity. But it is for some of his friends apparently.

The fight for supremacy can get bizarre, especially when the nature of the contest is laughable. As if the Twitter troubles did not create havoc enough in the cricket world, some of Tendulkar's friends have decided that a campaign was in order. The world order had to be toppled, or restored, depending on how one sees it. And it meant that there could be a better fighting machine that the "Run Maker" (not Rain Maker ) himself.

So began a fervent appeal to India's premier batsman, a pseudo account in his name ( it is still Sachin Tendulkar in an account created by his "friends" ). And the mission is apparent. The world has to know just who is the king of numbers.

A fast track account verification and the mission is in place. As is the mission statement, explicitly spelt out by Bollywood biggies who are in tandem with the move. After all the only person they would allow to take the no.1 status ahead of them would be someone who is not from their fraternity ( and obviously someone whose popularity they simply cannot deny ).

What's the latest score? Well, who knows? And does it really matter? Sachin Tendulkar is Sachin Tendulkar. Despite the body of runs that back his name, Tendulkar does not need the followers' number to define where he stands on the pedestal of genuine celebrities or role models.

Tendulkar himself is probably doing it for a laugh. After all, the humble man who defies his standing is not known to count his own runs ( although he does keep his goals to himself) over those of his team could not care less if he did or did not beat Ashton Kutcher in the race on Twitterdom.

Personally dissecting God by a Truman Show like following is not everyone's cup of tea. A few mere mortals are contentedly happy knowing that there is beauty to admire, without always having to wonder how many times the experiment with the light bulb failed. Perhaps given that Tendulkar cannot walk out of his home like a normal man is reason enough to give him space, even on the web, without having to peer into the Twitter world to know what time God is up and brushing his teeth.

But really Kutcher's competition? Knowing the number of movies Kutcher himself makes - and no offense to him, he does have classic comedy timing as movies such as "Just Married" or "What Happens in Vegas" evidence - Kutcher's goofy attitude is not likely to take a hit just because a shorter man from India happens to be considered synonymous with God and neither with Tendulkar's image or dignity take a dent, no matter what the result.

But as it often happens in Bollywood, flaky ideas take centrestage and it can get to some of the people associated with the industry. Atul Kasbekar is a photographer par excellence and his work is testimony of it. But one just wonders - why he does not have loftier goals ahead of him?

It is rather fascinating how many people are actually keep track of Tendulkar's score on Twitter, almost as if he were batting for a new record ( now there would be nothing new about it except for the record ) and as though the democracy of the nation and its sovereignty depended on it, as though reform and renovation were directly related to it, as though Tendulkar's standing as an iconic sportsman will change based solely on how he faces up to the 'balls' on Twitter. Even Tendulkar would say after a point, "Let's get real".

Really, Tendulkar, Twitter, followers - is this the new low (or a new type of high) that is being considered symptomatic of the desperate social networking bug that has spread like an ugly virus amongst the present generation?

Some Twitter posts:

Trip to the IOB site: Twittering, Murali and the Ashes Battleground

Twitter Trouble for Indian Cricketer

Ashes T 5: Lily Allen Steals a Bit of England Attention

Modi Back on Twitter: Will Not Quit, Will Expose All After IPL 3

All About Sachin!

Sachin Tendulkar On Twitter Gets Bollywood Jumping

a href="http://www.crickblog.com/entry/birthday-boy-sachin-tendulkar-wants-ipl-3-but-will-dhoni-oblige/">Birthday Boy Sachin Tendulkar Wants IPL 3; But Will Dhoni Oblige?

IPL 3 controversy Overshadows Sachin Tendulkar's Birthday

IPL Awards Winners - the Results

Sachin Tendulkar Tears Webbing; Expected to Play in IPL 3 Final

Warne Troubled by Sachin's Dropped Catch; Sachin Needs to Roll In his Own Words

Harbhajan Singh Thanks Sachin For Bat; Wanted Him for Twenty20; Cops Fine for Abuse

Tendulkar Says no to Twenty20 As Selectors Will Pick Team for ICC World Twenty20 Tomorrow

Sahara Wants Sachin Tendulkar, Amitabh Bachchan on Board; Revisit Sponsorship to Indians

Lara Wants His Son to Bat Like Tendulkar, Wants Sachin to Beat 400 Record

Gary Sobers Congratulates Sachin, Praises Sehwag and Zaheer

Gary Sobers Reckons, Gavaskar's Better than Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar Affirms General Opinion: Leave Comparisons with Bradman Alone

Harbhajan Singh Rues Missing Sachin's Innings; Rates Him Better than Bradman