So, it's that time of the year again when we pay obeisance to a certain Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar!
Many happy returns of the day, to not just one of the best cricketers the game has ever seen, but even more importantly, a completely genuine and dignified superstar despite being a living legend.
Picture this for a moment:
You capture the imagination of your local area or even your state (in any field), as a precocious prodigy, while still in your teens - say 19. People throng to watch your talent unfold as your perform.
I'm sure we can imagine the expectations.
Feel the pressure.
The and hopes that rest on you and the subsequent adulation you receive if you succeed.
Tell me if you don't feel dizzied by the adoring fans and the unending compliments.
Now, raise the bar by only a 100 times.
Replace state with country/even the world.
And, replace 19 with 16!
Most importantly, replace adulation with media frenzy, constant talk about how critical you are, as you realize the fact that rightly or not, want it or not, the nation's success, failure, or even any mood - begins to hinge in direct proportion to whether you made it to triple figures or not.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar for you.
True, we have always had superstars in each era, and we will continue to have many.
But as I wrote in an earlier post right after his retirement, no one, NO ONE (including the great Gavaskar and Kapil) had ever been or will ever be in the same pressure, certainly not in the same situation of not knowing what to follow, who to look upto, when facing superstar-level fame.
We love you, Sachin.
May you continue to stay grounded, humble, and remain an inspiration to everyone, not just on how to bat well and maintain balance on the pitch while batting, but also to excel off the field, in being a good human being and maintain that equanimity amidst any amount of success or failure.
May you stay blessed and have a wonderful, healthy and happy life for many years to come!!!
Best wishes!
Sincerely,
Just another of your zillion fans! :)
Many happy returns of the day, to not just one of the best cricketers the game has ever seen, but even more importantly, a completely genuine and dignified superstar despite being a living legend.
Picture this for a moment:
You capture the imagination of your local area or even your state (in any field), as a precocious prodigy, while still in your teens - say 19. People throng to watch your talent unfold as your perform.
I'm sure we can imagine the expectations.
Feel the pressure.
The and hopes that rest on you and the subsequent adulation you receive if you succeed.
Tell me if you don't feel dizzied by the adoring fans and the unending compliments.
Now, raise the bar by only a 100 times.
Replace state with country/even the world.
And, replace 19 with 16!
Most importantly, replace adulation with media frenzy, constant talk about how critical you are, as you realize the fact that rightly or not, want it or not, the nation's success, failure, or even any mood - begins to hinge in direct proportion to whether you made it to triple figures or not.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar for you.
True, we have always had superstars in each era, and we will continue to have many.
But as I wrote in an earlier post right after his retirement, no one, NO ONE (including the great Gavaskar and Kapil) had ever been or will ever be in the same pressure, certainly not in the same situation of not knowing what to follow, who to look upto, when facing superstar-level fame.
We love you, Sachin.
May you continue to stay grounded, humble, and remain an inspiration to everyone, not just on how to bat well and maintain balance on the pitch while batting, but also to excel off the field, in being a good human being and maintain that equanimity amidst any amount of success or failure.
May you stay blessed and have a wonderful, healthy and happy life for many years to come!!!
Best wishes!
Sincerely,
Just another of your zillion fans! :)
