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India held the first Asian Games in 1951; the 9th Asiad was also
held in India in 1982. As we write this, the first ever Afro-Asian
Games has just concluded in Hyderabad. The nations of two large
continents have thus come closer, which augurs well for all of them.
More than anything else, the performance of Indians in
international meets like these has enthused the public - especially
the youth — to take a greater interest in sports and the governments
to set apart funds to encourage sports and players. Multinational
establishments have found in sports an easy vehicle to promote their
products and services by sponsoring players and events.
While there are reasons to be happy about these trends, the seamy-
side of such enthusiasm and efforts has also to be taken note of. It is
apparent that the big business houses are selective about the nature of the
discipline. They plump for popular sports which ensure a big mileage for
them and, therefore, they do not care much for an all-round development
of this healthy activity.
Engaging in sports and games is good for the health of individuals as
well as the health of a nation. Let money be spent prudentially so that the
maximum benefit is accrued by the largest number of sports persons in
India. Only then would those following less popular
disciplines be able to prove their mettle
as they march into 2004–the
Olympic Year
One of the prominent kingdoms overrun by the
invading Huns from Central Asia was Malwa. The
king withdrew to the smaller kingdom of Mandsaur,
where his son Yasodharman grew, and was growing
restless, too. He wanted to regain Malwa where first the
Hun leader Toramana and then his son Mihiragula had
become the ruler.
Yasodharman was an ambitious young man. He
wanted to build a strong army which would, when the
time came, go to war with the Huns and oust them
from Malwa. With that aim in mind, he took his father's
permission and roamed the country. He wished to
befriend the people and gain their respect
and affection. He lived with them,
helping them in their fields.
Soon, he had some followers
who were willing to give up
their lives for him.
One day, while chasing
a boar that had strayed into
a village, Yasodharman got
separated from his group. He
felt thirsty and entered a river
but lost his balance and was swept
away by the swirling waters. A young
woman trying to fill her vessel downstream saw the
struggling young man and unhesitatingly jumped into
the river, caught hold of his clothes and dragged him to
safety. He regained consciousness.
The grateful prince revealed his identity and enquired
about the girl. She was Mallika, daughter of a priest. He
offered to take her as his wife, but Mallika reminded
him that a brahmin girl could not marry a kshatriya prince
and so wanted him to treat her as just a sister.
Yasodharman appreciated her stand. Presenting his
diamond ring to her, he made her agree that she would
December 2003
remember to seek his help if ever she was in need of
such help. Mallika got married and went to live with
her husband in Mathura. They had a son and daughter.
The Hun Mihiragula attacked Mathura and, while
plundering the city, came upon Mallika. He asked her
to send her son to join the Hun army and give her
daughter in marriage to a Hun. Mallika stoutly refused.
She, her husband, and their children were dragged out
of their house and imprisoned.
As years had passed after her meeting with
Yasodharman, Mallika wondered whether he would still
remember her. A Hun soldier, who used to take fruits
for Mallika and her family, had some
kindness for her. He readily agreed to
her request to take her ring to
Yashodharman.
He was at that time one
of the few independent
rulers in India. Many others,
who had lost their
kingdoms to the Huns,
pleaded with him to lead a war
against the marauding Huns,
but Yasodharman hesitated because
he did not know how united they would
be in their support.
He was surprised when, one day, a Hun soldier was
ushered into his presence. When he handed a ring to
Yasodharman, he remembered his promise to Mallika
who had once saved his life. If he was on the throne of
Mandsaur, it was only because of that brahmin girl. Now
there was no more hesitation in him. He led a combined
army of all the rulers wo had suffered at the hands of the
Huns and marched to Mathura, where they defeated the
Huns in a decisive battle. Yasodharman rushed to the
prison to release Mallika, but he was too late.
