Passion and Inspiration

Currently the hottest topic of discussion in India is Cricket world cup 2011 and moreover MS Dhoni – Captain of Indian Cricket team. Since the day India won the final match against Sri Lanka, all are praising M S Dhoni for his captaincy that has helped India in winning this trophy.  Sachin Tendulkar has gone 1 step ahead saying Dhoni is the best captain he has played under in Indian Cricket team. I know that would definitely hurt Saurav Ganguly, if not Mohd. Azharuddin. This mania will go on for at least 2 months because of IPL is also in the cue where Dhoni will be leading Chennai Super Kings. Awards, money, name, fame and what not, are showering on Indian Captain. Well, he deserves this. He has created his own place in the history of Indian cricket adjacent to another Cricketing icon Mr. Kapil Dev, who won World cup for India in 1983. 

 

In BE days, I watched a inspirational video where Kapil Dev was featured showing “only Indian captain who won Cricket World cup for India and currently a professional golfer”. That’s the kind of respect which is given to Kapil Dev. I was thinking what it takes to be a champion or rather a leader like Kapil Dev or M S Dhoni or a fantastic Cricket icon like Sachin Tendulkar. It takes a lot. Even Dhoni never had imagined that he would be leading Indian Cricket team and would win the World cup after Kapil Dev. It takes a lot to be Dhoni, Kapil or Sachin. It takes day in and day out hard work on the field and sharpening your skills. I remember when I was in 6^th standard; I used to go to play cricket in the morning during summer vacation. I used to play with my best friend J and get angry each time he defeat me as he was good in Cricket. I always felt bad and would discontinue for 2 days. After 2 days, again we play like dat. He was very committed to cricket and even went to Kanpur for selection. But Luck didn’t favour him. He used to work really hard on Cricket throughout his school days. He used to wake up early, ran a lot, play Cricket.

CWC 2011 final's ticket of Sakshi Rawat signed by MS Dhoni

 

I believe if J did so much and still couldn’t play at state level, I feel how much Dhoni could have done for international selection. And that’s why he is our proud Indian Captain who did everything for his passion. People see his awards, money, skills etc. but nobody sees the hard work behind this skill set. And above all the calmness he shows on and off the field which is just amazing. Somebody has rightly said “Follow your passion and rest will follow you”.  I still remember his smile after hitting six of victory which showed “finally, we did it”. The man wasn’t even seen in the front runners for snaps, videos or giving interviews. When entire team was taking round of the ground while carrying Sachin, the man was completely out if focus. That’s called character which never shows off. It needs guts to stay away from showing off after doing so many efforts, that too not for family, friends or city etc. but for the nation. Also, he lost his calm during batting where he shouted at Yuvi for not running too fast for the single run. That was memorable moment where the captain cool lost his calm. Even after winning, all team mates were jumping, crying, shouting in joy. He walked silently with a smile. I just love that style of him. Salute to his style. Finally, he’s also in the list of my inspirational people after Bhagat Singh, Sachin Tendulkar and Kapil Dev. Dhoni, You are really a man of character who with his calmness, great leadership, great skills gave us another reason to cheer and feel as a proud Indian. 

And since then, I’m just thinking every minute that I want to become Dhoni, which isn’t possible now. But yes, would try my best to do things in regular life as beautifully as done by Mr. Dhoni.

Enough of Dhoni, and now comes Sachin- the man playing cricket since he was 16, aka God of Cricket. The man created many records that nobody can even think of breaking but was away from the title of World cup winning squad. And finally, the dream is achieved. Now his profile is perfect. I still remember the article written by Harsha Bhogle after India lost to South Africa in league matches of world cup. Here’s the link  http://tigershetty.wordpress.com/2011/03/14/article-by-harsha-bhogle-after-india-vs-south-africa-match-in-the-world-cup-march-2011/

That’s the real hard work which leads to simply perfection. I know luck also plays its part. But not fully. I remember how he ran in the field like a small child after Dhoni’s six. These moments will stay forever in our hearts as we felt as Proud Indians. What if every one of us shows such dedication and passion in whatever we do! We can’t even imagine how well we would progress.

 

Finally, the 3 men I’m desperate to meet includes Sachin, SRK and Dhoni. Not because they are celebrities. But because they are self made men with great character, down to earth, totally calm without any attitude, started from a scratch and now scaling heights they didn’t even imagine.

Sometimes I feel why most of the middle class land up in profession/job they don’t like at all. If I take my example, I would say it just feels fine to carve the career after BE and MBA. I know I would get bored of what I’ll be doing 20 years down the line because I didn’t follow my passion or rather I didn’t recognise my passion.  Well, anyways, nothing can be done now because risk could have been taken at that time. It was high risk game. But high risk yields high return. I hate mediocre life. Mediocre life kills everyone. Probably it’s too early to say but I’ve decided to ask my children to follow their passion and I would take care of the rest.