HE WAS A HERO!!

The problem with India is that we remember our heroes occasionally, like for their birthday or on some event related to them. I believe heroes must be remembered not on some occasion, but always, their journey must be taught in school books, but it does not happen (exceptions are there). Such a hero is – Major Dhyanchand who is also termed as ‘WIZARD OF HOCKEY’, who played for India (under British rule) for consecutively three Olympics and clinched the gold every time. His superb footwork, ball control and exceptional talent gave him the attention and respect of people worldwide.

He played hockey for 25 years and scored more than 400 goals, but why am I talking about this? You can get any information related to Major Dhyanchand from the internet, as India celebrated its sports day yesterday and "Major Sahab" is the biggest sports icon in the nation. Any other hockey player could never repeat what he accomplished for the nation. He started his hockey in poverty and I am ashamed to say that he ended in poverty. What he actually deserved, he never got and the Indian political system failed him. Politicians never showed the respect he deserved when he was alive. Yes, after his death some stadiums, some awards and some sports authorities got his name, but that is not enough.

Major Sahab has done a lot for the nation, but the respect and financial security that designated for him he never got that. He never requested any assistance from the Govt. instead, he said that my job was to play for the nation-I did that, now its Govt.’s duty to take my care. He died due to liver cancer believe me! His last days were too alone and terrible, in poverty, got no medical treatment and other facilities, no one paid any attention towards him. He was a patriot; no doubt on that, he served his nation really well. I use to respect his spirit and his never give-up spirit. I usually imagine that history and the nation never did justice to him. From Sir Donald Bradman to Adolf Hitler, everybody were included in his fan following. He never left the nation for money; he never played for money or fame. He played because he loved the game!

Here are some of the lesser-known facts about Major Sahab:-

   

     1. There is a sports academy/club in Vienna that has a statue of Major Dhyanchand having four arms and four hockey sticks to demonstrate just how magical his skills were.

·        2. The authorities in the Japan & Netherlands broke his hockey stick to see if there was a magnet inside.

·       3. Great Australian batsman Sir Don Bradman met Dhyanchand in Adelaide in 1935. After watching him play, Bradman remarked, "He scores goals like runs in cricket".

·     4. After an inspiring show at the Berlin Olympics, Hitler offered Dhyanchand German citizenship and a position in the German Military, which he declined.

·       5.  He joined the Indian Army at the age of 16 and took up hockey while he was, still admitted. Since Dhyan Singh used to practice so much during the night, he was given the nickname "Chand" by his fellow players; his perform sessions at night always coincided with the moon rise. ‘Chand’ means moon in Hindi.

·        6. Once, when he was not able to score in a match, he argued with the match referee about the dimensions of the goal post. To everybody’s astonishment, he was correct; the goal post found to be in contravention of the official minimum width offered under the international rules.

I hope now Government would not do any injustice on any player, what Major Sahab felt. I hope his hard work and his life inspire a number of young players to play hockey for the nation. I hope Government of India honor him with the highest civilian award "BHARAT RATNA" soon. May new generation players learn the rules of will power and dedication from his life! I hope I expressed my views in a better way.

Thanks for reading!

WHY THIS WORLD-CUP IS NOT THE 'SAME ONE' FOR ME!!

I was born in the year when Imran Khan lifted the world cup i.e. 1992, I was 4 when great Arjun Ranatunga won the cricket world cup in the Asian subcontinent, and I was 7 in 1999 – where I saw the courage of Steve Waugh and his ‘invincible’ team and their dominance in the Cricket world for the three consecutive world cups till 2007. I saw the moment in my life, when M. S. Dhoni lifted the cricket world cup after 28 years. However, why I am talking in a sarcastic manner and why I am telling you cricket world cup history? It’s because this world cup of 2015 is not the same one for me, I saw a legend since my childhood, a legend who inspired many generations to go and play cricket, a person who made cricket a religion in India, a person who is responsible for scoring a number of records for the nation, the person is – Sachin Tendulkar.

That is why this world cup is not the same for me and I am not excited about the ongoing matches. Great Sachin Tendulkar has scored the most number of runs, number of centuries, good match average both in test and one day matches, and many other records that I cannot describe here, because the list of records are longer than we can even calculate. He made the generations to start cricket and to make it as a career. He retired in 2012, and believe me a majority of people has stopped watching cricket game. Believe me my generation is, raised by watching his talent and his aura. We love him and you he has scored the most number of runs in the world cup as well, so that is why I said this world cup is not the same for me.

Anybody can be the champion and my wishes are with each and every player, but I am not interested in watching it, told you the reason. Therefore, I am little sad during the world cup, hope every team will perform better for their nation. Hope teams will show a great talent of their skills.

WHY CRICKET ACCIDENTS ARE SCARIER, THAN ANY OTHER SPORTS MISHAP!!!

Phillips Hughes, 26 years old, faced a bouncer by Sean Abbot on 2014-11-27, in a match between NSW vs. South Australia. He was batting really well, but just one bouncer changed the circumstances forever. The ball hit beneath his left ear, and he sent to hospital immediately. He struggled with the circumstances as much he could, but on Thursday the 27^th, he lost his battle against the destiny. He was a talented person who played 26 test matches and 25 ODI matches for Australia; he was one of the most recognized batsmen of the nation. It is not the first incident that a player lost his life in a cricket match; many people have lost their lives in the past. Let us talk about them:

Ian Foley, one of the most respected all rounder of 80's and early 90's, in the English County, and who played for England too, was invincible player of the game. In a game for White haven, Foley beard a blow on the right below his right eye. He sent to the hospital immediately, where he faced a heart attack and died. He was 30 years old at that time.

One such Incident occurred with India too. A cricketer named as, Raman Lamba, he was one of the promising batsmen who showed up in the 90's along with some legends like Saurav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and Sachin Tendulkar. Raman played 4 test matches and 32 ODI matches for India, he had a good batting average but on February 23, 1998 in Dhaka, a ball while fielding at short-leg position hit Lamba’s temple. He was dead after the three days due to the internal haemorrhage.

Such are the biggest examples, which occurred on the field Phillip Hughes, Ian Foley and Raman Lamba, are some of the examples but the list goes on. Cricket is a beautiful game, but some incidents like this make a blot on it. Yes, when you are playing a game, there is a big chance of injury, I agree! In modern days, we can find some good equipment in the market, but still the accidents and mishaps are not easy to avoid.

I have seen many sports such as Formula one, Moto GP, soccer, wrestling and boxing, where incidents occur at any time. I hope I have shared what I wanted to reveal. Sports should play with great heart, will and determination, I am sad about Phillip, he was talented, I hope may he rest in peace. May he find peace in heaven!

Thanks for reading!

Satyamev Jayate

Well, Today I saw an episode of “Satyamev Jayate” and it was focussed on the role of sports in the life of an individual. You may say what’s new in this we know about it, but the way Aamir Khan presented this show was amazing. I was a sportsman too during my school and college life, I have a good experience and knowledge of sports, but the way “Satyamev Jayate” happened today I was delighted. Seriously this television show is my all time favourite and I never miss any episode. They raise all the issues which have major concern with the Indian society. They show true picture of any issue, related personal experiences and they also tell the solution to overcome that issue. I mean they bring positivity by a great eye-opener episode; every episode of “Satyamev Jayate” is a big secret until it gets on-air.

Today in the first episode of season-3, they talked about role of sports in an individual’s life. They talked about a guy who was a gangster once, but one football changed his life. He was transformed from a goon to a sober guy. They gave a good example of Phogat sisters from Haryana who got success by fighting against all odds, survived from the social humiliation and brought glory for their family and nation. Their father gave a very good reply to society when they were practising wrestling in their village that if a woman can be a Prime minister why she can’t be a wrestler. Wow! What a thinking he has. Next they gave an example of Subham Jaglan a nine year old golfer who has won 110 tournaments till now. Our country has a great talent and potential these three examples were enough to explain that. We have a huge amount of talent, it’s clear.

Now what is the problem? I mean why we are not successful in clinching gold medals in Olympics, why we struggle in getting one gold in the mega event. Why we don’t learn from China, they have excellent infrastructure, management and people who really contribute for the nation without any self gain. We should learn from our neighbour nations who are smaller in size as compared to India but they perform better in sports than India.

We should set free our sports administration from political interference. It is sucking our talent and calibre; they usually prefer their favourite persons in the teams, and the people who have no resources faces degradation from them. Seriously a talented person should get enough chances to show his talents in every field. We should expect good performers in sports not some people who are there due to the favour of few politicians. I expect our new Govt. to make a law against those politicians who spoil the sports and play dirty politics there. I hope our parents will wake up and let their children to play any sport which ever they like. They shouldn’t force their child to do what they want; they should set him/her free to choose their career. I hope our Indian society will learn something from our sports heroes. I hope my country will perform better in Rio 2016!