Cricketer Robin Uthappa baptised into Christianity
International Kodava cricket player Aiydua Robin Uthappa has formally embraced Christianity. The hard-hitting batsman, aged 25, was baptised by Bangalore archbishop Bernard Moras at a ceremony in the Holy Ghost Church at Pillana Garden in Bangalore on Saturday.
Robin’s father, Venu Uthappa, an international hockey referee, confirmed to this portal that his son was baptized at a confirmation ceremony.
According to reports, Robin’s sister Sharon Uthappa too was baptized on the occasion. The ritual involved the archbishop asking the parents whether they wanted to baptize their children into Christianity.
Robin’s mother Roselyn is a Christian and hails from Kerala. Both the parents attended the ceremony along with about 50 friends and relatives.
The dashing batsman known for not showing any mercy to bowlers is a born-again Christian and showed his affinity to Christianity on the field by his gestures.
The ceremony involved pouring water over the head by the archbishop and anointing with holy oil on the forehead and covering Robin with a white garment.
During the ceremony, Robin and Sharon prayed: “Lord help us to be committed Christians, growing in relationship with You, the church and the world around us. May our prayers be more people-centered, lifting up needs of others, to improve the quality of our lives.”
Robin has represented India in more than three dozen one-day internationals and also a former captain of the Karnataka cricket team.
EDITOR’S VIEW: The news of Robin being baptized into Christianity will not go down well with the Kodava community to which he belonged by virtue of the fact that his father Uthappa was a Kodava (Coorg).
Kodavas are a proud community and pride themselves on their rich culture and customs. Even during more than a century of British rule in Kodagu (Coorg), the Christian missionaries found it almost impossible to convert Kodavas into Christianity. For this very reason, the Kodavas will find it difficult to accept that one of their well-known clansmen has embraced a different faith.
