With reference to "Sportsman and symbol" (June 6), reams have been written in praise of the legendary Muhammad Ali, a measure of what he meant to his admirers worldwide. The champion and his feats are of such a unique kind that it is hard to find enough superlatives to describe them. It is in our nature to look up to "the best of our species" and speak of them with awe.
Boxing is a dehumanising sport. Jabs traded in bouts would hardly make for scintillating viewing. Still, as a heavyweight boxer who floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee, Ali had the world at his feet. More importantly, he had a very humanising influence on the world. He spoke with an authority that compelled the attention of the whole world.
Every word he spoke and every stand he took rang with courage and pride. His very presence on the world stage was an assurance of sanity. The way he dealt with situations outside the ring showed great strength of character and won him acclaim as a hero. He was trenchant in his criticism of the Caucasians for their irrational racist attitudes and actions despite the Biblical injunction against them. He was so full of the milk of human kindness that he warmly hugged a kid suffering from leprosy. His heart is said to have been beating for 30 minutes after all other organs stopped functioning - a tribute to his great strength of will. The immortal Ali will be long remembered for the essential goodness of human nature that he has represented in his eventful life.
G David Milton, Maruthancode
Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201
E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number
