Cueist fumes at Padma snub, writes to Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi : Miffed at being ignored for the Padma Shri award, two-time Asian champion cueist Yasin Merchant has shot off an emotional letter to AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, ridiculing some of this year\'s awardees.

Merchant, in his two-page letter, has questioned the selection criteria for the award, saying his international achievements have been completely ignored.

In his letter, a copy of which is with t2tn, Merchant writes, \"All synonyms defining the word disappointment racked my body and as expected frustration too did an all body tour, pinching and biting every pore of my disillusioned 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.

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?\" Merchant writes.

Speaking to t2tn over phone from Mumbai, the Busan Asian Games gold medallist said, \"I hope this letter gets read and I\'ll get the award in near future.\"

\"Deserving candidates like me who have given so many years to the country are being ignored at this year\'s list. They (government) didn\'t consider my name worthy. It\'s shameful and demoralising.
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