A week of Guts, Courage and Redemption

The past week has been exciting on the sports front! Sachin scoring his 44th Ton, Leander winning his 10th grand slam , Kim Clijsters coming back with a Bang and our very own Sachin notching up another breathtaking Ton in ODI's! Couldn't have been better isn't it? There is one more thing to be considered here - a rather very monumental feat but gone unnoticed - The return of Dravid to ODI's! What do all these incidents have in common? What is it that all these sports persons have that make them such icons. What is that we can learn from them and their illustrious careers? Its the Courage to stand up when needed, the gumption to take on the onus and the immense sincerity to what they do in life that makes them what they are.

Its such a marvel to see how Sachin inspite of being in the sport for two decades now, he still has the same vigor and the same hunger as he had when he was a 16 year old kid. How many stalwarts have we seen who've redeemed themselves in the way Sachin has in all their career? With the expectations and the pressure he has been subjected to, its a marvel that he's always delivered when it counts. It is sheer dedication to sport that has made him the greatest batsman ever! Even with enormous achievements, he is still humble and so much modest! A great testimony to the fact that achievers dont speak for themselves, their achievements speak for them!

If sachin's story is about talent, flair and has an air of flamboyance, Rahul Sharad Dravid has a story of grit,grind and selflessness. Coming from the rich culture of karnataka, he fought his way into the Indian team through sheer talent,grit and determination. He had to prove his mettle at every step. From getting a break in ODI's to Capitalizing his position himself as an ODI "material" to getting rid of being a "slow" batsmen to becoming the "wall" of Indian middle order to taking up the reins of Indian team and then the ultimate test of his character - Getting out of the ODI team due to reasons that were rather silly - and now Reclaiming his due position after 2 years. His is the story of proving his detractors wrong again and again and again! All through his career we've never seen "him" talk about any question being asked on him. He rather let his "bat" talk and yeah he gave it back in the same way as he got it from people. He has been the ultimate phoenix of the Indian cricket. An indispensable cricketer and a through gentleman. Kudos to his grit for being an IDOL to many a youngsters !!

Before you blame me of being Male chauvinist, let me talk about the next super lady .. or rather super mom.! Kim Clijsters! Her comeback to professional tennis was in itself a huge news and a boost to so many women who might have sacrificed their careers for the sake of their families. Her win in the US open proved that age, time or anything for that matter cannot stop you from being what you want to become. Only and only if you decide that you are going to get it . Her story is a true testimony of the saying " If you decide to get something, the nature conspires to make it for you". Kudos to the woman who fought all odds and made it happen!!

And now, to our very own rock star of tennis world!! Leander "the rock star"Paes. What do i say about him. Ever since i remember anything about Indian tennis, i remember the super cool dude called Paes and his alter ego Mr Mahesh Bhupati. Both were equally good and were superb ( coz thats why they are in such a tussle!! - GOD! please let them settle the differences!!) . If hesh was was sedate and gritty, Paes was flamboyant, extrovert and In-your face! He has always been a trendsetter in all forms. Be it The pony he had, the head band fashion or the chest bumps he started with Mahesh.. he set the tone for things to come. The medal the the Olympics saw him capitulating to fame that was unheard of non-cricketing stars in India till then. Some great tournaments followed and some amazing years later came the sudden THUD - His brain ailment "neurocysticercosis, a parasitic brain infection". Just when every one thought his career was over, he came back with a bang at the end of the year - yet again proving that if one had the courage to fight nothing , nothing could stop him/her. Not even GOD himself! Then came the super memorable partnership with the ever loved "Martina Navratilova" and the grand slams followed! Now after so many years of delighting the tennis fans world over and Indians in particular he's come up with a Gem again! his 10th Grand Slam!! What else can one say about him except "Hats Off" !! way to Go Paes! Kudos!!

Its gives such great vibes to read and see these great people strive and achieve the pinnacle of success in their lives. It just pushes us to strive hard and achieve the best in life. I had a great rush of positive energy when i thought about all these things, so posted it here. It would be great if the positivity spreads around! After all world is just the way we want to see it! This is been a great week . Just saw Gayathri writing about the golden era of Door Darshan. Jubilation all around!! Hope to keep this positivity going on!! let the light prevail!


cheers
rammy