Govt alters Bharat Ratna eligibility; Sachin, Dhyan Chand in queue | Comments

[punjabi_khota]

for 1, it's not a sport secondly, there is a difference between very smart vs being a sports person. How hard is that to understand? I am sure there are other categories for smart people and also that there are probably smarter people than vishy in the nation.

While I kinda agree that chess isn't a sport, chess is as much about being smart as cricket (or tennis or whatever) is about being athletic. At the highest level in any sport, it takes way more than just being athletic to be a world champion.

[ganeshran]

Chess cannot be excluded simply because it doesn't involve physical exertion. That being said - SRT and Dhyanchand would be the first ones to receive it. Vishy might get one in a few years time.

[yoda]

Sachin Fanatics now don't even want anyone else to be eligible. Typical. Anyways, Bharat Ratna has been diluted pretty bad in the past, hopefully with the introduction of these categories they don't make it worse. My first choice cricketer would be Kapil, the guy who was the first to take us to the Pinnacle of the game.

[Jersey #10]

While I kinda agree that chess isn't a sport' date=' chess is as much about being smart as cricket (or tennis or whatever) is about being athletic. At the highest level in any sport, it takes way more than just being athletic to be a world champion.[/quote'] That's like saying, a chittah can run faster than the tigers so a chittah should win the race between the tigers.

[Jersey #10]

Sachin Fanatics now don't even want anyone else to be eligible. Typical.

Look man, I believe that Vishy is superb and a master at what he does but that doesn't mean what he does should be counted as a sport What's next? Cooking is a sport too? :giggle:

[ganeshran]

That's like saying' date=' a chittah can run faster than the tigers so a chittah should win the race between the tigers.[/quote'] no it isnt

[kubrickian]

Dravid deserves it way more than Sachin IMO if they ever give to a cricketer. I dont remember many instances where Sachin scored when the team was in trouble or when the conditions were really tough. Not being a hater but just my honest opinion. Of course, if one were to go by the records, there would be none better than him.

[Jersey #10]

no it isnt

Sajeev Kapoor is also in the line then :fishing:

[Jersey #10]

Dravid deserves it way more than Sachin IMO if they ever give to a cricketer. I dont remember many instances where Sachin scored when the team was in trouble or when the conditions were really tough. Not being a hater but just my honest opinion. Of course' date=' if one were to go by the records, there would be none better than him.[/quote'] You must have been watching a different sport then.

[ganeshran]

The new criteria is "exceptional service/performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavour." Vishy is eligible as well.

[akshayxyz]

for 1' date= it's not a sport secondly, there is a difference between very smart vs being a sports person. How hard is that to understand? I am sure there are other categories for smart people and also that there are probably smarter people than vishy in the nation.

Definition of sport under Oxford dictionary - an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment picking up the chess pieces with your hands does not count as physical exertion Definition of Chess - a board game of strategic skill for two players, played on a chequered board on which each playing piece is moved according to precise rules. The object is to put the opponentÃÔ king under a direct attack from which escape is impossible (checkmate).

First of all I do not want to get into lame discussion of whether chess is a sport or not - going by random dictionary meanings, based on power throughput/athleticism etc. BTW, technically Olympic committee recognizes it as sport. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_sports#Recognized_sports Secondly - "power throughput/atheleticism" can not be the only (or most significant) parameter for evaluating achievements in unrelated fields. So, one has to go by relative performance at highest level in chosen area. And if you are going to argue - that chess arena is less competitive than Cricket, and its easier to be World chess champion than #1 batsman - then you just do not understand what it takes and means to excel - regardless of playing field. If 'just' being smart (and excelling in chosen field using it) can't be eligible for civilian awards - then he doesn't desrve Arjuna award either, and no scientist/mathematician should deserve such civilian awards either. Between Vishy and SRT, I would go as far to say, that Vishy has outperformed his peers at international level in his chosen field, by as much margin (may be more) than SRT has.

[Jersey #10]

The new criteria is "exceptional service/performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavour." Vishy is eligible as well.

Under those lines, vishy would qualify but chess is still not a sport

[Magneto]

Dravid deserves it way more than Sachin IMO if they ever give to a cricketer. I dont remember many instances where Sachin scored when the team was in trouble or when the conditions were really tough. Not being a hater but just my honest opinion. Of course' date= if one were to go by the records, there would be none better than him.

:hysterical:

[ganeshran]

Under those lines' date=' vishy would qualify but chess is still not a sport[/quote'] If Vishy qualifies, then the original premise of Chess being a sport/game becomes irrelavent.

[yoda]

Vishy is the world champion in a non team sport/event/whatever you want to call Chess as. That is about as great as it gets. As Rajini would say, Bharat Ratna deserves Vishy, more than the other way round. The only thing negative about Vishy is that he has chosen to live outside India for extended periods of time, both for Tax purposes and for preparation reasons. He does play under the Indian flag however.

[Jersey #10]

First of all I do not want to get into lame discussion of whether chess is a sport or not - going by random dictionary meanings' date= based on power throughput/athleticism etc.BTW, technically Olympic committee recognizes it as sport. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_sports#Recognized_sports Secondly - "power throughput/atheleticism" can not be the only (or most significant) parameter for evaluating achievements in a unrelated fields. So, one has to go by relative performance in chosen area. And if you are going to argue - that chess arena is less competitive than Cricket, and its easier to be World chess champion than #1 batsman - then you just do not understand what it takes and means to excel - regardless of playing field. If it was about just being smart (and excelling in chosen field using it) can't be eligible for civilian awards - then he doesn't desrve Arjuna award either, and no scientist/mathematician should deserve such civilian awards either. Between Vishy and SRT, I would go as far to say, that Vishy has outperformed his peers at international level in his chosen field, by as much margin (may be more) than SRT has.

at bold - Oxford is not a random dictionary :giggle: and why are you arguing then? I knew you'd bring that up. Olympics committee does it because it's easier to set up and there are many international players available. On that note, Olympics does not qualify Cricket, does that mean it's not a sport? they don't qualify baseball either...Let's get real I think the chess arena is very competitive but it's still not a sport. There are many other fields that have more competition than the respective sports but that doesn't mean everything is a sport. at the rest of your crap - It makes no sense...stop making up shyt to suit your needs

[Jersey #10]

If Vishy qualifies' date=' then the original premise of [b']Chess being a sport/game becomes irrelavent.

I have to agree.

[Magneto]

Under those lines' date=' vishy would qualify but chess is still not a sport[/quote'] Chess actually requires a huge amount of physical fitness. Vishy said that one of his secrets for preparing for the World Championships is to cycle for four hours a day. It's impossible to concentrate on the game for long if you are not in top shape physically.

[Jersey #10]

Chess actually requires a huge amount of physical fitness. Vishy said that one of his secrets for preparing for the World Championships is to cycle for four hours a day. It's impossible to concentrate on the game for long if you are not in top shape physically.

Does he cycle during the game? no... I exercise everyday to support my lifestyle and perform better in school and work. That doesn't mean i am a sports person :haha: what kinda BS is this?

[akshayxyz]

at bold - Oxford is not a random dictionary :giggle: and why are you arguing then? I knew you'd bring that up. Olympics committee does it because it's easier to set up and there are many international players available. On that note, Olympics does not qualify Cricket, does that mean it's not a sport? they don't qualify baseball either...Let's get real I think the chess arena is very competitive but it's still not a sport. There are many other fields that have more competition than the respective sports but that doesn't mean everything is a sport. at the rest of your crap - It makes no sense...stop making up shyt to suit your needs

I am sorry to say, but you are not mature enough to understand what it takes and means to excel - regardless of the playing field.