Some even termed the hoopla
around his farewell series over the last few weeks as outrageous, extravagant
and demotivating for other sportsman. But then did he ever ask for such a
farewell himself? Or for that matter in the last 24 years did he ever asked for
anything from us though vica versa isn't true rather we have been mostly very
inconsiderate with regards to our expectations from him. It has been like a one
way traffic which he continued obliging dutifully without a sign of grimace and
with full dedication as if he has been summoned by the almighty himself to do
so. So with regards to the farewell, all that has happened and will continue to
happen over the next few weeks, is the nation's way of thanking him for the
comfort he has provided to millions for over 2 decades, all too less but
certainly very well deserved. And this was very aptly summed up by Darren Sammy
too who signed off saying that “India has
taught us how to treat our heroes”.
So what makes him so special
and so loved all across the globe? Various people will have different opinion
on this but I personally feel an honest answer to this is way beyond the
numbers and statistics associated with him. This seems quite ironical to
myself, as not so long back I used to argue on his superiority with many of my
friends and colleagues based on the innumerable batting feats he has achieved
but now I feel I was a fool to do so. This guy is way beyond the nos. And I even
pity those who compare him with various other greats of the game be it Bradman,
be it Lara, be it Ponting, be it Dravid or be it any other batting great. After
all you can’t compare a lamp with the Sun, despite the fact that both do the
same job. The impact that he has had over all of us for years is way beyond
these nos., so it’s criminal to weigh him by any of these statistics. He has
given us the belief, the hope and sense of pride about ourselves in the most
testing times. He has allowed us to sleep with a smile just by his sheer
brilliance and commitment on what he did on field. In the hindsight, what
matters is not only his cricketing prowess but the way he conducted himself off
the field. Despite an unprecedented success, he has remained so humble, so
grounded and so polite that it’s hard to even imagine a semblance of such a balance
in our lives. May be that’s the reason he is not only every cricket lovers
favorite but also every mothers favorite child too. Not sure if the likes of
Kohlis and Sharmas can capture our hearts in the same fashion just by the sheer
weight of the runs they score.
Personally, he has been my role
model ever since I was a teenager though many a times I asked myself can a
cricketer also be a role model for someone who is not a professional cricketer
himself. So is it more of an impulsive choice or a rather fashionable one? But
soon I correlated it with what my parents have been preaching me all my life,
to be a good human being, to be humble and polite in all situations, to remain
focussed and dedicated in whatever I do, to respect every individual irrespective
of his/her socio-economic status. Though I always found all this to be very
bookish and boring to actually pay any serious credence to but thankfully
indeed, my Hero has all these qualities in him, so who better than him to have
as a role model for life. It’s a privilege, honor and such a joy for life to
have his highness as my role model.
He has been so close to our
hearts all these years that the feeling of his retirement is similar to that of
someone very close leaving us forever. He has been like that integral family
member for the entire nation whose successes and failures have made us happy or
sad instinctively. We have cared and prayed for him in the true earnest as we
do for our near and dear ones. Such has been this bond and will always continue
to be so, way beyond the nos and runs associated with his name. Howsoever, we
thank you Sachin it won't be enough but these beautiful memories will remain
for ever. We can proudly say that we belong to the era of the great Sir Sachin
Tendulkar. You truly defined the word HERO for our generation, no wonder you
will be a part of my son’s bedtime stories for years and years to come.
Thanks much for the bouquet of beautiful memories and being an
inspiration and role model for the rest of my life! You will be missed.
--
kin…
