Is right to put so much money in cricket, in a country like India....

I do agree with you. We need not to put so much of money in it. We have other priorities. If the same amount is invested in to Co-operative farms inflation can be recovered. So truly agree with u..

by doing something like the IPL, you are actually bringing money into India, to boost the economy. Foreign investment will in fact help the country instead of crippling it.

Well, think about it...the IPL is bringing international level cricket to communities that would not normally be able to host the games, and this is because it is being run by Indian Cricket, instead of India AND another country (I'm not sure if its BCCI, I think IPL is completely private). The point is, with all the internet and television endorsement that IPl gets in tandom with sponsor money means that IPL can invest in smaller towns/villages/cities to help the community. Remember, although the IPL was made for the viewer to try and breath some life back into cricket, it is also a way to generate income for India, people are more ready to invest in a sport in a country which shows success, and a willingness to better themselves

I am sick of people mixing religion, economy, business and social service with sports. Why don't we just look at sport as sport and not as means to serve other purposes.

I believe you don't understand the socio-economic mechanism related with such events.When such an event is organized the money spent on the event is not really significant, because more money is generated. Now, how is this money generated? Its generated by increasing the spending pattern of the people. I mean if the IPL was not organized a man could have saved 500Rs which he would be rather spending on tickets, food and transport for watching the IPL.

As the spending increases the government gets the benefit from the tax it gets on the spending in terms of income tax, service tax etc. Government can then utilize this money o the developmental activities. This is the ideal condition. But the corruption factor destroys any such development model.

Also, look at the event from the perspective of cricket. The Cricket infrastructure will get a boost from such events. The stadiums will be better prepared. Local players get a chance to showcase their talent. there are numerous advantage.

In short, its always advisable to double your money and then apply it to social service rather than just applying what you have directly.

give it to the poor people