Cricketer’s murder spells misery for his namesake
By Alkesh Sharma, IANSSunday, October 11, 2009
CHANDIGARH - The murder of cricketer Gagandeep Singh, who was shot dead during a scuffle in Uttar Pradesh Saturday, has made life difficult for his namesake in Punjab. Gagandeep Singh of Ludhiana, also a cricketer, has spent the last 48 hours explaining to family and friends that he is alive!
Gagandeep’s misery was compounded when some TV channels put his photograph while announcing the cricketer’s killing.
Electronic media acted in a very irresponsible manner while handling this news. Yesterday, I realized that in pursuit of a breaking news they can go up to any extent, they are not at all concerned about anyone’s emotions and personal life. They can do anything to earn TRPs, Gagandeep, hale and hearty, told IANS here Sunday.
The murdered cricketer, Gagandeep Singh, a member of Indian under-19 team, was shot dead when he tried to apprehend one of four young men who had attacked a shopkeeper in Meerut.
His namesake from Punjab is 10 years senior and plays cricket for the state Ranji team.
He is at present attending a training camp in Mohali’s Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium, 10 km from here.
My whole family was shocked when they saw the news of my death on television and got telephone calls from various journalists. As I was away from my home, everyone got worried. Many of my relatives reached my home in Ludhiana from far-flung areas after seeing this news, Gagandeep, the 28-year-old medium pacer, said here.
Even now things have not become normal, as I am still getting calls from my worried friends and relatives. Many of my relatives are based in the US and Canada. Since morning I am busy attending their phone calls and making things clear to them, he said.
This small mistake of journalists has brought on this mess and disturbed my whole schedule. This incident has proved that all these channels are mad about making money; they should at least try my mobile number once before running this news. I have lost all my faith in the media after this horrible episode, Gagandeep said.
