So, it has been the end of an era and all that.
It has taken me a few weeks (and I am still not done) just soaking up all I the good articles I could get to read, about a certain gentleman with Tendulkar as his surname.
Sure, there was this huge build-up to Sachin's final test series, right from October 10, when he announced his retirement, all building up to an incredible crescendo by the time he actually walked out in pads for the last time for India.
Followed by, yes you guessed it, his unanimously-loved farewell speech.
I am happy to share, before anything else, some wonderful articles that are truly worth reading, in understanding what people think and feel about Sachin:
Two of the best pieces I read, are here: one, by the wonderful Siddharth Vaidyanathan, and this is the very talented Ashish Shakya, entering tributes online.
And then, of course, there's Cricinfo - providing the most exhaustive coverage they'd ever have done on one man: brilliant, fascinating, engaging, excellent.
For me, there are quite a few abiding memories and lessons with which I shall remember Sachin:
Dignity, Humility and Impeccable Conduct
All these are qualities that have been oft-spoken and are so true that howsoever many times you hear them from anyone, they never seem cliched just because you know they are being spoken from the heart from each and every person who says so.
But apart from these, there is another thing that I would like to add:
There are many people who are talented and precocious.
There are many who will plunder runs and ravage the best of bowling attacks consistently.
However, the reason why there will never be another Sachin Tendulkar, is because:
Sachin never knew which 16 year-old to look up to, when he played for India at 16.
Sachin never knew who could understand exactly what it felt to be the pulse of a billion people each and every time he walked out onto the ground (or, better still, just walked out, anywhere!)
Sachin never knew who to be like, when he was adored and worshipped like crazy for 24+ years
Many people can bat and play well amazingly.
Who knows, there will be someone who will bat like Sachin, but they will have a shining example right in front of them - not only on how to play well, not only on how to react to adoring fans and overnight success, superstardom, the constant weight of expectations.
For every such thing, they will have a Sachin Tendulkar's life and conduct to look up to.
Thanks you Sachin, for all the memories, all the lessons.
Fare thee well, Little Master - you are truly Bharat's Ratna!
It has taken me a few weeks (and I am still not done) just soaking up all I the good articles I could get to read, about a certain gentleman with Tendulkar as his surname.
Sure, there was this huge build-up to Sachin's final test series, right from October 10, when he announced his retirement, all building up to an incredible crescendo by the time he actually walked out in pads for the last time for India.
Followed by, yes you guessed it, his unanimously-loved farewell speech.
I am happy to share, before anything else, some wonderful articles that are truly worth reading, in understanding what people think and feel about Sachin:
Two of the best pieces I read, are here: one, by the wonderful Siddharth Vaidyanathan, and this is the very talented Ashish Shakya, entering tributes online.
And then, of course, there's Cricinfo - providing the most exhaustive coverage they'd ever have done on one man: brilliant, fascinating, engaging, excellent.
For me, there are quite a few abiding memories and lessons with which I shall remember Sachin:
Dignity, Humility and Impeccable Conduct
All these are qualities that have been oft-spoken and are so true that howsoever many times you hear them from anyone, they never seem cliched just because you know they are being spoken from the heart from each and every person who says so.
But apart from these, there is another thing that I would like to add:
There are many people who are talented and precocious.
There are many who will plunder runs and ravage the best of bowling attacks consistently.
However, the reason why there will never be another Sachin Tendulkar, is because:
Sachin never knew which 16 year-old to look up to, when he played for India at 16.
Sachin never knew who could understand exactly what it felt to be the pulse of a billion people each and every time he walked out onto the ground (or, better still, just walked out, anywhere!)
Sachin never knew who to be like, when he was adored and worshipped like crazy for 24+ years
Many people can bat and play well amazingly.
Who knows, there will be someone who will bat like Sachin, but they will have a shining example right in front of them - not only on how to play well, not only on how to react to adoring fans and overnight success, superstardom, the constant weight of expectations.
For every such thing, they will have a Sachin Tendulkar's life and conduct to look up to.
Thanks you Sachin, for all the memories, all the lessons.
Fare thee well, Little Master - you are truly Bharat's Ratna!
