I faced one question from everyone while I was growing up and I believe most of you had similar questions posed to you: "Beta, bada hoke, kya banega?" (What do you wish to be after you grow up?) Sometimes, I just passed that question as I never knew what was in store for me and sometimes I said I wanted to become IAS officer which was a common trend when I was a kid. While some thought I was serious as they believed I had the caliber, I laughed it off as I was not sure if I was prepared enough to pass my slip test the next day. And with my sardonically ground breaking General Knowledge, I know I was aiming at the obviously unachievable.
As I met new people and sailed through different phases of life, I was getting better at knowing what I was good at and what I was terrible at. Everyone I met helped me to gain a perspective of my life and my parents made it even easier for me, by imbibing the most positive values in me. Having 'it' in me is one aspect while realizing my strengths is an absolute different thing and Madhuri made me realize the obvious strengths I had. The last couple of years, I have been trying to get to the point where I always have foreseen myself. I never had a blueprint chalked out, but I had an obscure image of where I would see myself after 10 or 20 years. Especially, the state I am in right now, at a professionally thriving phase, I needed someone to look up to who thinks on the same grounds as I do.
On April 2nd, 2011, I realized that he was the person I always had been thinking of. I then forfeited all my neutral opinions on this person. There was a time when I doubted his selfish attitude in scoring runs, but after I saw him cheered by a billion hearts en masse, I ruled out every minor skepticism I bared.
If someone is carrying you on their shoulders all around the field, if people are cheering every move of yours (either you bat, bowl, field or just even walk), if you are respected with Honorary Doctorates from multiple institutions; you are not just any athlete! It was really amazing to see everyone cheering him when he fielded, although the only thing he did was stop the ball and that too normally. I can't think of anyone else who enjoys a similar privilege.
I still believe that it is not just your batting expertise that brings you all these admirers but it is the disposition that you carry around, the way you maintain your ground, the lifestyle you lead and much importantly the humble attitude you possess. I was entirely spellbound when I saw the youngsters carry you on their shoulders and when the crowd gave you a standing ovation during the post-match celebrations. You should really have something spectacular in you to win so many hearts and this day, Sir, I idolize you as my
Dronacharya. Having said that, I didn't mean I wanted to be a pioneer in Cricket but I shall practice being humble when I get famous. Unlike you, I was never adept in anything I did but today, I take an oath that I'll be useful to my country at some point in my life and the direction of my ambition would be - To be remembered by several people around me, who would celebrate my victory as theirs and absolutely love me for who I am.
I have had people in my life who admire me as a good Friend, a good Leader, a good Senior,a good Athlete, also as a good Human but I now dream of being 'like' Sachin! You are the only person after my Dad, I totally look up to in most of my deeds. Not just for scoring tons of runs but for the MAN you are; for the athletic ability you possess at the age of 37; for the social responsibility you display; for the ground you maintain; for the way you never ignore your admirers. Take a bow Master!
I don't know if I could get this to you ever but I hope to see your comment someday :).
Yours Faithfully,
VK (Remember these initials!)
