Life is Beautiful

When Champions Fail

“The IPL is not just about cricket. There are a lot of things happening around it. The players must be smart about it. They have to respect the body, give it some time to recover because it’s not just about playing. There have been day-night matches, then parties, and then early morning flights too. All this, including the travel, takes a toll.” That’s what M.S.Dhoni said in justification, after India’s disastrous performance at the T20 World Cup in 2010.

The same captain led the Chennai Super Kings to the IPL T20 win less than three weeks before the ouster of Team India from the World Cup. And going by his theory, whatever happened during the IPL was what caused the World Cup disaster. These words coming from “Captain Cool” are no more than an excuse for failure.

This story is not about Team India’s failure at the T20 World Cup in West Indies. It is about learning to deal with failure, the way the real champions do.

Failure, like death, is inevitable. As J.K.Rowling told the Harvard graduating class, “It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default.” Failure comes to all. What’s important is how you decide to deal with it.

John Wooden, the famous basketball coach says, you aren’t a failure until you start to blame. What he means is that you can still be in the process of learning from your mistakes until you begin denying them. That’s where the problems begin. As human beings, we always find excuses for not succeeding. We often lay a blame on someone else or something that was responsible for our failure. And so do some champions. After all they are human beings, too.

The legendary tennis player John McEnroe often tried to repair his self-esteem after losing by assigning blame or making excuses. Going by his own judgment it was never his fault – it was always the outside forces. One time he lost a match because he had fever. Another time he had a backache. Sometimes he was victim of expectations, other times it was because of the tabloids. One loss was because he ate too close to the match. He lost some games because it was cold. He lost others because he could not cope up with the heat. Sometimes he was under-trained, at other times he was over-trained. His most painful loss was to Even Lendl in the 1984 French Open. Why did he lose after leading 2 sets to nil? According to McEnroe, it wasn’t his fault. An NBC cameraman had taken off his headset and a noise started coming from the side of the court.

The problem with McEnroe was that he did not accept his failure. Worse still, he refused to learn from failures. He did not thrive on challenges; when the going got tough, he often folded. As a result, by his own admission he did not fulfill his potential. After his playing days he confessed that his on-court temper tantrums were only a cover for not playing well. Instead of finding the real reasons for losing, he made excuses. Rather than getting the basics right and practicing hard, he relied purely on natural talent. He was the number one player in the world for four years – but he was a champion who did not know how to deal with failure.

On the other hand, Michael Jordan is a great example about success through failure. In a commercial for Nike – famous for its failure-defying tagline “Just Do It” – Jordan says, “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot, and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life – and that is why I succeeded.”

Michael Jordan wasn’t a natural talent. He was cut from the high school varsity team. He worked hard to get back. He left his home at six in the morning to get in some hours of practice before school. Then at the University of North Carolina, he worked on what he thought were his weaknesses – his defensive game, his ball handling and shooting skills. Once, after his team lost the last game of the season, Jordan went back to the court and practiced his shots for hours – he had started his preparations for the next year. He is probably one of the hardest working athletes in the history of sport. Only once did he take it easy. It was the year he returned to the Bulls after his stint in baseball. The Bulls were eliminated in the play-offs. Jordan learned his lesson, “You can’t leave and think you can come back and dominate this game. I will be physically and mentally prepared from now on.” For the next three years, the Chicago Bulls won the NBA title. With Michael Jordan, the Chicago Bulls won six NBA championships. “I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying,” said Michael Jordan.

Tiger Woods commented in the 2006 Buick interview: “It’s just experience. I’ve put myself in so many different scenarios and have been successful and have failed, and I’ve had to learn from both. Why did I fail? Well, because of this. Why did I succeed? Well, because of this. You have to analyse, you have to be critical, and you have to understand that you have to take hard looks at yourself. Over the years I’ve done that, and I think that’s one of the reasons why I’ve been able to keep progressing through the years. Trust me, it’s not always easy, but my father has always harped on me, always be honest with yourself, true to yourself, look yourself in the mirror and be honest. Some days are tougher than others. When you know you’ve absolutely messed up, you have to admit it and move on and learn and apply. And I’ve done that.”

This is something which the Indian cricket team could make note of. The team didn’t train after either of the first two defeats in the Super-8’s games. “What do we gain in a day’s practice? We thought it would be better to take some time off and turn up fresh for the games,” argued Dhoni. I have a lot of respect for the man who brought us the first T20 World Cup and I wish that rather than blaming the IPL for the World Cup failure he could have analyzed the real reasons for the failure, graciously accepted the mistakes and took some lessons from it.

Sports can be a great teacher. These lessons are not just for the Indian cricket team. They are for all of us. We have to learn to deal with our failures. Failures are not always bad. A failure is a pit-stop on the journey to success. Failure is feedback. Failure shows what doesn’t work. Failure tells us that something needs to be fixed. Failure has a positive power. It teaches us that we learn, we can survive, go on, and discover talents previously hidden. Most importantly – failure humbles. It reminds us that we are not supermen but human beings who will some day fall to ground. Failure is so painful that it almost guarantees that we won’t make the same mistakes again. When we fail, we are at the bottom. We have nothing more to lose. The only place to go is up. The golfer Bobby Jones said, “I never learned anything from a match I won.” He respected defeat and he profited from it.

The only problem is that we as human beings perceive failure as an identity. That’s because, “I failed to…” is perceived as “I am a failure”. As a result, most people fear failure. Failure is not an identity; it is only a judgment about an event. What matters is how we cope with failure. It’s important to be able to forget the pain of failure while retaining the lessons from it.

“Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time we fall,” – Confucius

13^th May, 2010

The Organization and Its People

This note dates back to Oct 1998. I had written this for the monthly bulletin of Gharda Chemicals, where I worked from Oct 1998 to May 2000. The article was rated as the best contribution that month “The Organization and its People”.

The topic seemed to be pretty difficult until the realization that we are talking about you, me and the chap who sits next to our work place. We are talking about the GHARDA FAMILY, the family each one of us belongs to. To know the family we need to know the people, the members of the family, their behavior and their habits. The following is a sincere attempt to list out, based on detailed observations, the different personalities you come across in an organisation.

Let us start on a positive note and talk about the SUPERMAN. He seems to be capable of doing everything. Impossible is a word that does not exist in his dictionary. He always reaches the right place at the right time. People always search for him in times of trouble, for his ability to set things right, to make things happen. There is place for him everywhere. He inspires, he motivates and he reminds you of Sachin Tendulkar because you know there is always hope as long as he is there (batting or bowling). He is the greatest asset to the organization, a treasure.

Our Organization Leaders -Dad & Bharat Uncle

But let me caution you for you will always come across men who talk about their super human abilities. For one, they will give you an impression that nothing will work in their absence. And the other, they keep boasting of their achievements. Remember talkers need not necessarily be doers.

How often have you said “Kaun kehata hai ke Hitler mar gaya?” (Who says Hitler is dead?)

After all you see him every day, right in front of you. Are yaar, tumhare us wale boss ki baat kar raha hoon. (My dear friend, I am referring to your boss) When he talks you better listen or else you’ve had it. He always seems to follow you, especially so when you’re trying to get away from him. You are never spared, not even in your dreams, a hyperbole perhaps, but by now I guess you know what we are talking about. You love to hate him, don’t you?

Don’t ponder too much on Hitler. Now just close your eyes and think of the young chap who just joined the organization. “Why does he ask so many questions? Especially those stupid ones,” is what you often wonder. He certainly does it (I know it because I do it too) for he is always in a hurry to know things. He’s young, enthusiastic (and what not) and you like the way he addresses you as SIR. This fellow is the future of the organization, so please lend him a helping hand.

Then there is the DRONACHARYA. This wonderful teacher never fails to inspire you, for he sees in you his ARJUN, his blue-eyed boy. The generous master gifts you all his knowledge and shares his experience but not without his GURU-DAKSHINA. He expects commitment, sincerity, honesty and dedication, a small fee by any standards. But it often appears that the Dronacharyas and the Arjuns are extinct species. Instead you have people who would always teach you all the wrong things and GOD only knows why.

Though unfortunate, an organization also has its share of the infectious lot. They have a corrupting influence on the organization. They lack enthusiasm, motivation, willingness to work and all this has a very high coefficient of induction. Keep away from them. They can be deadlier than the deadliest of viruses.

Besides the above there are several other people. There is this old guy who has seen it all. He always has a serious look on his face and one never hears him talk (his gray hair does the talking). But all he needs is a slightest of the stimulus and he will narrate to you stories of those who came and those who went and why he was still there (I admire his patience). Then there is the naughty guy and his practical jokes, the quiet fellow and the big talker, the ever smiling bubbly guy, the pretty woman (inspiration to many), the big lady (daily newspaper of the organization) and many more.

The organization needs all of you. After all, VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE.

This note dates back to Oct 1998. I had written this for the monthly bulletin of Gharda Chemicals, where I worked from Oct 1998 to May 2000. The article was rated as the best contribution that month.

After Gharda Chemicals, I moved on to our business, founded by Dad and Bharat Uncle in 1980.

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To Mom & Dad

I wrote this letter to Mom and Dad on their 23^rd Wedding Anniversary, in 1999. The preceding six months were stressful and our family went through an emotional period. My grandmother lost her battle with cancer on 14^th July 1998. My grandpa passed away on 3^rd January, 1999.

Congratulations on your 23^rd wedding anniversary. Your marriage is still young, only a year older than me. Two of you have a long way to go, and please don’t forget to take me along.

Today I have decided not to stop myself and my emotions and wish to speak my mind freely. I wish to speak from my heart, something which I have not always done.

Thank you for all that you have given me over the past 22 years: your love, affection and everything else. You have always stood by me, in good and bad times. Your advice has always been most valuable, your encouragement has been an inspiration, and your values have been the guiding principles of my life. You have taught me how to respect elders and love younger ones. Observing the two of you in last six months, I have learned a lot about what elders mean to the children and this made me realise how important the two of you are in my life. I love you.

I have been rude at times but you have always forgiven me. I may have disobeyed but you have forgotten. I have made mistakes and you have always corrected me. I am lucky to have parents like you.

Today I have started earning and I am sure you must be proud of it. I have only to thank you and all our family members for the position I am in. I am presenting a small gift from my earned income but it means a lot to me. No gift can and will ever compensate all that I have received from you over the years but still I would feel good when I see a smile on your face. Thank you.

Wishing you a great anniversary,

Your only One

Sonu.

24^th January, 1999

World, My Son Starts School Today – By Abraham Lincoln

World, take my child by the hand – he starts school today!

Maahir’s First Day to Ryan International School, 18^th June, 2009

It is all going to be strange and new to him for a while and I wish you would sort-of treat him gently. You see, up to now, he has been king of the roost. He has been the boss of the backyard. I’ve always been around to repair his wounds and I’ve always been handy to soothe his feelings.

But now things are going to be different. This morning he is going to walk down the front steps, wave his hand, and start on a great adventure that probably will include wars and tragedy and sorrow.

To live in this world will require faith and love and courage.

So world, I wish you would sort-of take him by his young hand and teach him the things he will have to know. Teach him, but gently if you can.

He will have to learn, I know that all people are not just, that all man and women are not true.

Teach him that for every scoundrel, there is a hero; that for every enemy, there is a friend. Let him learn early that the bullies are the easiest people to lick.

Teach him the wonder of books.

Give him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun and flowers on a green hill.

Teach him that it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat.

Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells he is wrong.

Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone else is getting on the bandwagon.

Teach him to listen to others, but to filter all he hears on a screen of truth and to take only the good that comes through.

Teach him never to put a price tag on his heart and soul.

Teach him to close his ears on the howling mob – and to stand and fight if he thinks he is right.

Teach him gently, World, but do not coddle him because only the test of fire makes fine steel.

This is a big order, World, but see what you can do. He is such a nice son.

How Much is Enough?

“How Much is Enough?” the thought first occurred when Purvi and I were enjoying the sunset over the Powai lake. It was amongst one of the memorable evenings that we’ve spent in the seventeen years that we have known each other. The lake is less than 20 minutes from where we stay. Yet, in the many years, we never experienced the solitude and the bliss, which we did that evening.

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Leisure

What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs, And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass, Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight, Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty’s glance, And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can, Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare.

By W.H.Davies

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“How Much is Enough?” the thought first occurred when Purvi and I were enjoying the sunset over the Powai lake. It was amongst one of the memorable evenings that we’ve spent in the seventeen years that we have known each other. The lake is less than 20 minutes from where we stay. Yet, in the many years, we never experienced the solitude and the bliss, which we did that evening. There was a sense of regret, even more when I realised that I couldn’t commit as to when next we would experience a similar evening. We are too busy – long working hours, an ever overflowing inbox, and unending work commitments; striving to maximize work done in the time available. It’s a story not too uncommon – something that most of us can relate to. But for once, the still waters of the lake, the mountain in the back drop and the splendor of the orange sunset, quieted the mind – as we asked each other the question, “How Much is Enough?”

Work is worship. Being ambitious, setting goals and working hard to achieve the goals is imperative. It provides a sense of direction and purpose to our professional life. It is only through work that we earn money, an essential and irreplaceable commodity.

The question here is about how much money is enough? For some, this question may not seem to be relevant at all, as they struggle to meet their everyday needs. I wondered if dad would have asked himself this question when he was of my age. Probably not, he could not afford to then. We’ve been better off; because in our upbringing, we were never deprived of the basic needs. Our children are more fortunate. It is no longer about the needs, it is about the wants.

The reality lies in the fact that a generation committed to saving has been replaced by one devoted to spending. Our basic needs now stretch beyond ‘roti, kapda aur makaan’ (food, clothing and shelter). Our wants have unending bounds – a splendid five bedroom apartment in South Bombay (SoBo) high rise overlooking the Arabian Sea, a BMW 740i, traveling club class …..and so on. We seem to have forgotten that there is a beautiful world out there, beyond what money can buy.

I decided to pursue the answer by discussing the subject with friends, family, teachers and business associates. Some of them answered in numbers, some in words, and some others had not consciously thought about the question. For some, it wasn’t just about how much was enough for them, it was also about what their children would inherit. A friend asked me to watch the movie, ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’. It wasn’t long before I realized that there is no (universal) answer to the question. The quest however brought to light some invaluable insights, I wish to share.

Parag, a dear friend (he designed the cover page for ‘My Notes’), a few years elder to me, has identified ‘milestones’ when he would need money. Like, when purchasing a new apartment, and then when children (Disha- 9 years and Rishi – 7 years) would want to pursue higher education, and then at the time of children’s wedding. More importantly, he realizes that he would have enough time to get to the milestones as they are well separated – there is no need for ‘rat-race’. He doesn’t hesitate to skip office or work from home when his mother, who lives just a few minutes away, comes to see them, or when children want to play with mom and dad. “If Disha and Rishi tell me that they want to play a game of monopoly with me and Nikita, I don’t refuse, until and unless I have something very important to do. I don’t think they would ask me this question a few years later when they would be on their own. Neither do I want to regret not having spent enough time with my parents, and learning from their experiences. These moments in life shall never return,” he explained.

A business owner and a close associate, who is almost dad’s age, felt that he has much more than what he deserves. For the first twenty years of his professional career he worked with a private firm. “If I was still working with them, I would be drawing a salary of about a lakh (hundred thousand) per month, and that would have been more than enough for my lifestyle. Success in business has bought me two apartments; I own a Skoda-Laura and a Toyota-Innova. I couldn’t have asked for more. I continue to work, because I want to support my employees and my vendors, who also depend on this business. Our company bears all the education expenses for our employees’ children. Our employees enjoy medical benefits.” He was not sure if his son, who just started college, would like to take the business forward. “It is for him to decide,” he remarked.

Another son, elsewhere, preferred to inherit cash. His father, a respected professor, worked hard all his life and made a fortune in the coaching classes business. He owned and operated about ten branches in Mumbai with 2500 students a year, at the higher secondary level. The son couldn’t (or may be didn’t want to?) manage the operations (he wasn’t qualified enough to teach.). Unwillingly, and possibly because of parental responsibilities (obligations?) the father sold his stake in business to his other partner, insisting on receiving all the money cash-down. He handed over everything to his son, so as not to be blamed later. He was told that it wasn’t enough. The teacher taught two generations, but couldn’t educate his own child.

I recall another discussion, with one of my favourite teacher of schooldays (also an owner of a coaching class). He narrated his story and taught me an invaluable and unforgettable lesson, “Jayesh, I came to Bombay with virtually nothing. I was teaching in a coaching class and stayed with my maternal uncle in his one-room chawl (a poor man’s studio apartment in Bombay). I had a dream then, that one day I will own a one-room chawl. I worked hard for it.” After a long pause (a sense of nostalgia) he continued, “This four bedroom apartment that you are now sitting in, the classes and all that I can afford to buy is a by-product of the hard-work. Money is only a by-product of good work.” My teacher reminded me of Lord Krishna’s sermon to Arjuna, on nishkama karma (performing one’s duty for its own sake without thinking about ‘what’s in it for me’), “Be intent on the action, not on the fruits of action”.

Some people said that they worked hard all their life, but never got what they deserved. “Life has not been fair to me,” they complained. I am not sure if someone had guaranteed us a fair life.

My best friend worked hard and realized his father’s dream of building a world class cold storage facility. Their tagline, “We preserve your trust,” is a testimony of the many years of toil and commitment to good work. Many envied my friend and his work – it was all well, until the day when the cold storage went up in flames. All that was built was gone in a moment, the years of goodwill was lost. “What is lost is lost. God has endowed us with two hands to work and intelligence to think – and that is enough to achieve our goals”, his determination only strengthened after the accident. He had learned the secret to earning enough.

While reading the book ‘India Unbound’, by Gurcharan Das, I found myself relating to the author who at the age of fifty decided to give up the largesse of corporate life. He took an early retirement and relinquished a plum position in a multinational company to pursuit his interest for writing. He was partly guided by the Vedic philosophy which has defined four stages of human life. Brahmacharya, the first stage, is the life of a student or a celibate. Grihasta, the second stage is the life of the householder. The Grihasta earns his livelihood by whatever a vocation befitting his being a member of his group, raising children, supporting his own family, kith and kin besides the persons performing their duties in the other three Ashramas (stages). Vanaprasta, the third stage, indicates the departure from material possessions. The man no longer takes part in the commercial activities and the woman leaves the running of the household to her daughter-in-law. People in this ashram play the role of mentors. The final stage is Sanyasa or renunciation; the person leaves society to spend the remaining part of his or her life in meditation and the contemplation of God in solitude.

The (unfortunate) reality of modern day life is that no one is able to (or wants to?) move out of the Grihastaashram. I talked to some who have retired from service; they said that they wanted to continue to work so as to keep themselves busy. Likewise, there are doctors, lawyers and businessmen who continue to work throughout life. “I would prefer to die with my boots on,” said an uncle in his early seventies, “it’s not about money, it’s about keeping the mind occupied.” They are happy to do the same work, which they did all their life (because that’s what they know best). They moved into the twilight years of life, satisfied (occupied?) with their families and work. “But now when the time has come for them to slow down, they find that they have missed the boat and don’t have a ‘third thing’ to fall back upon,” writes Bhavin Jhankaria in his thoughtful article titled “What is Your ‘Third Thing’?” Our ‘third thing’ is our talent, our passion for something other than work. More often than not, the third thing is compromised in the (so called) ‘interest of work’ and postponed to some time later. We never realize when it is lost.

A family member advised me to read the anecdote, ‘How Much Land Does a Man Need’, by Leo Tolstoy. The answer is known to all, but the extraordinary thing is that few are willing to accept it, “Six feet from the head to the heels is all that is needed”.

How much is enough? Purvi and I are searching for the answers hidden in these stories. Our needs are limited and so is life.

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Dilon mein tum apni betaabiyaan leke chal rahe ho, Toh zinda ho tum

Nazar mein khwaabon ki bijliyaan leke chal rahe ho, Toh zinda ho tum

Hawaa ke jhonkon ke jaise azad rehna seekho

Tum ek dariya ke jaise lehron mein behna seekho

Har ek lamhe se tum milo khole apni baahein

Har ek pal ik naya samaan dekhein yeh nigaahein

Jo apni aankhon mein hairaaniyaan leke chal rahe ho, Toh zinda ho tum

Dilon mein tum apni betaabiyaan leke chal rahe ho, Toh zinda ho tum

-Javed Akhtar

Hindi Poetry from the movie Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara

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Happy New You

Just as the dawn of the New Year seems special, even though it is the same as any other day; waking up each morning with a sense of starting afresh and greeting every day as a new beginning will make it special. Happy New You.

You Win Some, You Lose Some – Sach is Life

“Beneath the helmet, under that unruly curly hair, inside the cranium, there is something we don’t know, something beyond scientific measure. Something that allows him to soar, to roam a territory of sport that, forget us, even those who are gifted enough to play alongside him cannot even fathom. When he goes out to bat, people switch on their television sets and switch off their lives.” – BBC sports

“Paaka paisa lagaya lagta hai. Bahut haara ho ga” (Looks like he’s bet money. Must have lost a fortune). These comments were directed to yours truly, on completion of the India – South Africa world cup 2011 league game. I was watching the cricket match at a kid’s birthday party at the Moti Mahal restaurant in Bandra, Mumbai.

Besides me there were about ten other fathers, and around twenty-five mothers who accompanied their kids to Harsh’s birthday party. There was plenty to do for the kids – magic show, games, tatoo, face painting, and DJ. The game host took care to the kids, freeing up moms to catch up on their gossip, talk about their most recent designer wear and jewelry purchases and discuss the latest on TV reality shows. Of what I overheard, MTV Roadies was the number one favorite along with Emotional Atyachaar, Love Lock-Up and Maa Exchange. “I love the show where children get different parents”, said a mom blessed with two sons. I wondered why? Papas too were having a great time – watching cricket and enjoying their drink. I too decided to have my share of fun at the party. Right through the game, I was confident that India would win. I cheered my country with shouts that were echoed by the rest at the party, “India…. In..diya…India….In..diya”. The face painting artist made a joker for me, Maahir and Shourya loved it as did the rest at the party. Meanwhile, the balance of the match kept shifting like a see-saw. The game was heading to be a cliff hanger.

Before we complete the story of the birthday party, the cricket match, the opening remarks and my reply, there are a few stories that I wish to share with my fellow Indians.

As I turn back in time and try to remember my first cricketing memory, the scenes of 1983 World cup victory comes to mind. Late evening, on 25th June my chacha (uncle) told me that India had won the cricket World cup. I only realized the significance of the event when the local Irani restaurant gave away free ‘Pav’ (Indian Bread), courtesy, Kapil Dev and his team. The captain’s catch to dismiss Viv Richards in the final was the turning point. His knock of 175 against Zimbabwe, after the top order had collapsed to 17 for 5 is the other lasting memory of that tournament. India became the first team, other than the West Indies to win the world cup. A 10-year old kid watching the game dreamt of winning the world cup for his team some day – it inspired him to take up playing the game.

I too, became an ardent cricket follower like the rest of my family. My papa, three uncles and I would get up at 4:30 am to watch India play in the Benson & Hedges cup, 1985. Atam uncle would make tea for all of us. Until then, I had never seen any of the men in my family enter the kitchen. We would all be glued to our 12 channel, Sony color TV, tuned into Doordarshan, the one and only channel then. The wake-ups paid dividends; India won the Benson & Hedges Cup. Ravi Shastri won the “Champion of Champions” title and an Audi Car which could accommodate 11 Indians – inside and outside. My cousin was born that year – I named him Ravi – his last name is Jashnani.

A year later, it was time for Pakistan to square off their loss to India in the B&H cup finals. With four runs to get of the last ball, the wily Javed Miandad hit Chetan Sharma’s full toss delivery for a six. India lost. That evening, I cried. India cried. The loss rankled for a long time as India found it difficult to beat Pakistan in Sharjah thereafter. Some say it was by design.

The victories of 1983 and 1985 changed the course of cricket in India forever. But it was in 1989 that India and the cricketing world were gifted without doubt with the greatest cricketer of all time. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar made his debut against Pakistan, aged just 16.

Two memories stand out from that tour of Pakistan. The young boy was hit by a nasty bouncer by the intimidating Waqar Younis in the final test at Sialkot. His nose was bleeding, but he continued to bat and denied any medical assistance. Second, his batting assault on the great leg spinner Abdul Qadir. He had earlier hit the young leg spinner Mushtaq Ahmed for a couple of sixes. Qadir then came up to him and said, “Bachchon ko kyon mar rahe ho? Hamein bhi maar dikhao” (“Why are you only hitting the kid? Hit me too.”). The little wonder immediately obliged – hitting Qadir for 28 runs in one over (including four sixes). Sachin’s treatment of Abdul Qadir in that game is part of folklore now.

Indian cricket went through a transition in the early nineties, with the old guard calling it a day. Mohammad Azharuddin was the new captain. The 1992 world cup in Australia, Sachin’s first, marked the inset of pinch-hitters. New Zealand under the leadership of Martin Crowe experimented with Mark Greatbatch at the top of the batting order. Dipak Patel, the off-spinner would open the bowling. Jonty Rhodes’ “superman” run out of Inzamam-ul-Haq gave a whole new dimension to fielding. New Zealand were amongst the favorites to win the tournament, until Inzamam single handedly beat them in the semi-finals. Pakistan won that world cup under the leadership of the charismatic Imran Khan. The tournament was quite a disastrous one for India. Their poor performance saw them at No 7 in the final standings with only Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe below them.

Then in 1993, India hosted the 5 nation Hero Cup. In the semi-finals, South Africa needed just six runs to win with one over remaining. Ajit Wadekar, the Indian coach then recalls, “As I remember it, Kapil was a bit, just a bit mind you, reluctant to bowl. Sachin grabbed the ball”. He conceded only three. It was the magical victory which drove the entire nation crazy that night. The Cricket Association of Bengal sent champagne bottles to the Indian dressing room. They were sent back with reasoning that this was just the semi-final. The victory in finals against West Indies would be remembered for Anil Kumble’s magical spell of 6 wickets for 12 runs.

Tendulkar was told to open the batting at Auckland against New Zealand in 1994. It was the day of Holi – and the master blaster showed his true colors. He went on to make 82 runs off 49 balls. The same year he scored his first century in his 79th one day game.

The 1996 world cup saw the world cup returning to India after the 1987 Reliance world cup. Sri Lanka & Pakistan were co-hosts. Being the home side, India were one of the favorites to win the tournament. They beat Pakistan in the quarter finals, a match that shall be remembered for Jadeja’s onslaught in the slog overs and the spat between Venkatesh Prasad and Aamir Sohail, which the former won. In the semi-finals, Sri Lanka batting first scored a competitive 251. At 98-1, India looked well on course to making to the final. But once Sachin was dismissed, India suddenly crumbled to 120/8. The crowd erupted in anger and disrupted proceedings. The game had to be handed over to the Sri Lankans. The sight of Vinod Kambli walking back to the pavilion with tears in his eyes was one of the sorriest sights ever witnessed in Indian cricket. Tendulkar scored 523 runs in the tournament, but he would still have to wait for another world cup.

For me personally, Sachin’s most memorable innings was against Australia in the semi-final of the Coca-Cola Cup at Sharjah, in 1998. India, batting second, had two targets: 285 to win the match, 254 to qualify for the finals. Sachin single-handedly challenged the Aussies with his masterful batting; the Gods decided to watch the game and arrived at the Sharjah stadium with the desert storm. The little genius paid them his respects. He blasted a brilliant 143 from 131 balls. India lost the game, but made it to the finals. The Gods showered blessings on their favorite son, they knew his job was only half done. Birthday boy Sachin Tendulkar repeated his class act again with his 15th One-day century to take India to a spectacular title win over Australia. After being defeated, Steve Waugh, the Australian captain then said, “It was one of the greatest innings I have ever seen. There is no shame being beaten by such a great player, Sachin is perhaps only next to the Don’.”

Not many remember Tendulkar’s cracking innings of 140 against minnows Kenya in the 1999 world cup. But one thing that certainly comes to mind is how the master batsman inspired India to victory just three days after his father’s death. Yet, India failed to make it to the semi-finals.

The beginning of the new millennium was not very auspicious for the Indian cricket team. The match fixing scandals engulfed big names like Kapil Dev, Ajay Jadeja, Ajay Sharma and Mohammad Azharuddin. “You can not fix a match until and unless Sachin Tendulkar is out.” This what a bookmaker said to CBI officers during the interrogation of match fixing scandal in 2000. The great man did not let his country down.

The year 2003, was probably India’s best chance to regain the world cup glory of 1983. The team did exceptionally well until the finals. The tournament shall be remembered for Sachin’s astounding innings of 98 against Pakistan. Struck down by a shooting pain in his left leg and batting with a runner, Sachin took on the Pakistan quicks, crunching 12 boundaries and a six in a 75-ball stay that even by his own high standards, he considers amongst his best one-day innings. Sadly though, it all fell apart against Australia in the finals. Sachin was the losing hero of the world cup, the Man of the Tournament

In the 2007 world cup in West Indies, India was knocked out in the group stage.

By 2010, the master had amassed both the highest number of runs and the maximum tons in Tests and one-dayers alike. If devout worshippers had any reason to quibble, it was that there was no one record-shattering innings to match Brain Lara’s test score of 400. The humble man himself may have not talked about it, but deep within he had a target. A staggering 2,961 matches and almost 39 years after the first ODI was played the little legend finally became the first cricketer to score 200 in a one-dayer, propelled by a record 25 fours in one knock. As has become customary after every achievement, Sachin looked at the heavens, remembered his father and thanked God. After the 200th run, the gaze upwards was longer than usual. At the receiving end, were the South Africans.

Coming back to the birthday party and the India – South Africa league game, the Proteas required fourteen runs of the last over, with 4 wickets to spare. Most men at the party hall thought that Harbhajan should bowl. Dhoni decided otherwise and handed over the ball to Ashish Nehra. All that the bowler had to do was bowl sensibly – just as Tendulkar did, 18 years ago. That was not to happen – and it took the South Africans just four balls – 4,6,2,4 to get to the target. South Africa didn’t win – India lost.

There was pin drop silence in the stadium – the expressions of those watching the game said the story. The party too went quiet. The song “All is Well” was turned off, kids stopped dancing, mummys stopped gossiping and daddies continued to drink (late into the night). Words fail to describe the disappointment and anguish of all those who just a few hours earlier applauded Sachin’s outstanding batting and his 99th international hundred, only to betrayed by the team’s mediocre batting and bowling. “How can a team lose 9 wickets for 29 runs? This match is fixed”, said some one at the party.

The 10 year old kid was now 37, still watching; this time, from the third man boundary. He did not cry, nor did he show any emotion. The great sportsman shook hands with the winning team and left the field with his head down. Not that he is not human, or does not have any emotions. In the 22 years, that he has been around, he has learned to live with failures – his excellence being undone by the mediocrity of his own men, time and again. “Without mediocrity, there is not value for excellence”, an unfortunate, but a true statement made by my dear friend Aniket Gore.

We all know about his shoulder surgery, his niggling knee injury, the ankle pain, the tennis elbow, but still expect him to win it for us, when there are ten others in the team.

As he walks out to the cricket field, shouldering the expectations of a billion people – he leaves all the pain behind, somewhere that you and me shall never find out. He’s buried it deep within – so deep – that he and he alone can feel it.

This is his sixth world cup – and probably his last. He’s done everything that he could have done to fulfill his childhood dream – he came back strong from his father’s death, battled injuries, has been playing non – stop for 22 years and has single handedly lifted to moods of this entire nation umpteen number of times.

It’s time for his team to rise to the occasion and make sure that they win the cup for his country and the billion countrymen whose hopes rest on his shoulders. Win the cup for Sachin – and relieve him from the buried pain and emotions. Because when he is gone, there will never be another Sachin who can be like him.

The joker who cheered for India till the last ball almost cried when he heard, “Paaka paisa lagaya lagta hai. Bahut haara ho ga”. This is his reply to all those mediocre people who don’t realize that if there is one thing that binds all Indians after the national flag, it is an emblem called, ‘Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar’.

I have seen God. He opens the batting for India in ODI. Take a bow to the master.

Chak De India !

23rd March, 2011

P.S. – This article was written on the eve of India-Australia world cup quarter – final. We beat the Aussies. The little man once again played his part. The team stood by him.

South Africa lost to New Zealand in the Quarter Finals. They “choked” again. I wished they won – so that India could beat them in the Finals – It’s always nice to have the last word.

New Zealand lost to Sri Lanka in the semi-final. India beat Pakistan in the second semi-final at Mohali. Tendlya scored 85 and was the man of the match. Dhoni and his men were outstanding.

On the night of April 2, 2011, Sachin’s dream came true – he conquered the last frontier. The team rose to the occasion – the captain lead from the front. They gifted him the World Cup – India celebrated. This time, the ten others hosted the party for the little master. The young Virat Kohli who carried the little master on his shoulders during the victory celebrations at the Wankhede stadium summed it up, “He has carried the burden of the nation for 21 years so it’s time we carried him on our shoulders”.

Thank you Team India.

2nd April, 2011

World, My Son(s) Starts School Today

By Abraham Lincoln

World, take my child by the hand – he starts school today!

Maahir’s first day to Hiranandani school, Grade I – 11th June,2012

Shourya’s first day to school, Nursery – 12th June,2012