Honorary Chennai Citizenship for Dhoni

The Chennai Super Kings have lifted the IPL trophy for the first time, and as a CSK fan, I couldn’t be more overjoyed. Beyond doubt, MS Dhoni is the man behind the team's success. His uncanny knack of extracting the best out of his team has made CSK the most reliable team in the IPL so far. There is no doubt that he will be retained by the CSK management for season four also.

This joyous occasion calls for some unprecedented celebrations. Yes, there will be a grand reception at the airport, a parade across the city streets and a huge party. Fans will lap up every bit of the scoop on how grand the party was and which player got lucky that night. And in a couple of days the tide will pass and the euphoria will die away. Life will be back to normal and we will forget that this ever happened. What a travesty, that our style of celebration belittles the achievement. Do we celebrate like how cave men celebrate a rich haul of wild animals?

To set this right, we must confer an honorary citizenship on the heroes who are increasingly defining Chennai's indomitable spirit. Henceforth, Dhoni should be known as an Honorary Citizen of Chennai. A public function should be organized by none less than the mayor and a plaque conferring citizenship should be presented to him. As a dashing youngster, he caught the imagination of die hard cricket fans and now as a mature statesman, he has won the praise of others too. Similarly, Suresh Raina, Mathew Hayden and Doug Bollinger too should be conferred with this distinction.

Let us celebrate in style and not let fancy parties alone get the better of our desire to honour the players. A recognition like this may not mean anything on paper. But the joy the players derive in being loved is the best that a progressive society like ours could offer to true sportsmanship. Truly global cities like Paris have this set a precedent for honouring achievers in this way. Chennai should take a cue from this and honour its players in a way that will last for long time.

These players deserve our love. It is our motivation that will make them go onto the field for the next time, knowing that the hearts of thousands beat in sync with theirs.