Sachin: A True Sporting Character

Cricket has given many icons. The list is preceded by Vijay Merchant first, followed by Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and now it is Sachin Tendulkar. The last name has captured the imagination of innumerable sports lovers all over the world. Around for the past two decades, Sachin Tendulkar is one name that can be described as a true sporting character. The latest cover story (by Kanti Bhatt) in Chitralekha pieces together a very amazing story on the Master Blaster.

Different fields have different icons like Ratan Tata, Lata Mangeshkar, Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, Dr A P J kalam, but a genius like Sachin is born after centuries, says the author. You need a total focus to be able to scale newer heights and Sachin has what it takes to reach the pinnacle of excellence. The Spectator of London which is not known for cricketing stories noted that in 2001 when Sachin was included in the Bradman Eleven, girls taking interest in cricket outnumbered boys, as Sachin is an icon for them.

Another cricket analyst goes a step further by suggesting that even philosophers like Aristotle, Plato and mathematician Pythagoras would have opted for inclusion in the Bradman Eleven to be able to play with Sachin. What better compliment could one expect for Sachin..!! During the times when showing dissent against umpire’s decision is considered an in-thing, it is only Gavaskar and Sachin who never throw tantrums and quietly walk away when given out, rightly or wrongly.

What are the factors that made it possible for Sachin to survive his injuries and few dismal performances? The author asks three psychiatrists who incidentally happen to be Sachin’s fans. One of them says that Sachin belongs to that rare breed that not only reaches at the top but has the passion to stay there. For them money is just a byproduct and pursuit of excellence is a top priority. This quality has something to do with their genes or their upbringing or the values that have been inculcated in them. Ambani brothers too share the same passion, notes the author.

Sachin analyses and introspects when he gets out cheaply and keeps correcting his flaws and bettering himself. Another expert says that Sachin is a born genius who knew from very early days that he could master this game. Not many people know what they are good at. Sachin got the congenial atmosphere that helped him hone his latent talents. Nobody forced him to go to college or imposed upon him his expectations that he should be a doctor. He was allowed to concentrate on what he loved most.

What helps is the clarity of your goal and total dedication to achieve it. Recommending the book Icons edited by Anil Dharkar, the story quotes veteran journalist and author Dom Moreas who writes in the book: in Sachin power becomes more luminous in India. Millions of people without a future found happiness in the present (when he plays)..   

Third psychiatrist says that Sachin never strayed from his chosen path out of arrogance or complacency. Born in a middle class family he grew to be an icon, but he could digest his fame and his wealth. He is one man who never mixes his emotions with his profession unlike Ganguly, who did show resentment when he was ousted from the team.

Interestingly, one of the analysts mentions that it is not necessary to know whether Sachin does regular meditation or Yaga. The very fact that he does net practice even when there are no matches, is a strong indicator that net practice itself is a big meditation for him.

Recently when the cricketing genius became the only player in the world to score a double hundred, the media the world over gushed over his achievements. And not without reasons. Unlike some western icons, this man has kept his sanity and focus intact and undiluted despite maddening fame.

You may know all statistics, all records that Sachin has created, but this is a unique story that shows you a new dimension to this cricketing personality, viewed from psychiatrists’ point of view. And this is what makes the story what it really is: unique.

Sachin has said once: what matters for me is my cricket and nothing else. Such a disarming attitude has made Sachin a true sporting character for billions of people in the world.

War in the Desert

Recently the Indian Air Force carried out the biggest Air Show at Pokhran Desert on 28 February, which is known as National Science Day. The Air Show was named Vayushakti 2010, which in a way showcased the Air Force’s man, machine and muscle power and hence it was also aptly called Fire Power Demonstration. Mahesh Shah gives us a glimpse of this rare Show when our Air Force in a mock combat destroyed the enemy’s terrorists’ camps.

Pokhran is considered the biggest desert site and it was also used for India’s first nuclear test. This rare site once again became a witness to some daring daredevilry. The story introduces us to India’s military might and makes one feel proud.

Yes Andar ke Baat Hai..

In this unusual story Ketan Mistry talks about the subject which was hitherto believed to be andar ki baat. Long ago, coloured vest was a rage as Big B had popularized it in his blockbuster Amar Akbar Anthony. However, when it came to advertising for innerwear, one shied away from it, as it was never a trend earlier. It was kid of jeered at by peers when someone did endorsement for these products.

Not any more, says the author who notes the social change that has come over the trend. Now celebs are jumping into the innerwear ad bandwagon, so to say. It is no longer considered a taboo or an object of ridicule. They mint money by doing endorsements for vest and underwear. The trend has moved a full circle. The story then talks about the economics of shooting ad films for these products. It is in fact a win-win situation for all.

Yeh aaram ka mamala hai..!!

The issue also carries an interesting story (by khanjan Mankad) on the preparations for the IPL-3, the countdown to which has already begun. The glittering cricketing spectacle is just round the corner. There is another story (by Parthiv Vora) that tells us about a Jain monk Deepratnasagarji who is considered a mobile encyclopedia for his erudition on religion. 

Besides the above, the issue has Political & Humour columns, Zalak, Cardiogram, a Short Story, Health Helpline, Jalsaghar & Mukhwas.

Ishita’s Elchi

Time slips away like sand
We just forget to take care of it,
Some people are so special in life
We just forget to share with him..!!

Quoted from an email (received by Ishita) that thus expresses the suffering of a mother who has lost her young son in an accident