The story of this prince, who went on to become a Maharaj, would be the perfect script for a huge blockbuster hit. He has been greeted with garlands and burnt effigies during the ups and downs of his high-profile career, but the extraordinary quality about this man from Behala in Kolkata has been his ability to back himself at all times, never bowing down to lady luck and proving a tough nut to crack, time and time again.
Sourav Ganguly’s cricketing career effectively began in the summer of 1996 at Lord’s, where he scored a century and impressed everyone with his sublime strokeplay. He became a star batsman of the Indian squad and set the scoreboard alight along with the master blaster Sachin Tendulkar at the top of the innings. During these initial years, amidst all the issues of under-performance and match-fixing, Ganguly always performed consistently well for the Indian team and got the accolades. It was perhaps his destiny to lead the country four years since his debut and emerge as the most successful Indian captain. During his tenure as the skipper, Indian cricket was undergoing a revolutionary phase- with youngsters hungry for success and having a desire to down the best teams. Under him, the world witnessed a remarkable turnaround of the attitude of the Indian players as compared to the Azhar-era when it seemed that the only performers were the star-batsmen who were busier breaking individual records than helping the team win matches. It is hard to say whether Ganguly initiated and forced this change, but what we really know is that he reposed faith in these youngsters just like an elder brother or a ‘dada’ which helped them to give it their best. India has one of the greatest pools of world-class talent in the world, and Sourav Ganguly knew it.
The series win against the Proteas at their own backyard (which was marred by the startling confessions of match-fixing by Hansie Cronje) was the first major success of Ganguly as a skipper. They were followed by the home series win against Australia- remembered for the series-saving 281 by VVS Laxman which completely changed the face of the second test match at the Eden Gardens, and eventually paved the way for an emphatic series win; the Natwest series triumph in 2002 at Lord’s when India successfully chased down 325 and the 2nd place finish at the World Cup 2003. India, as a cricketing nation, slowly but surely emerged as a force to reckon with, but with it the batting form of this man also reached a peak-low. The reaction from the public and also the selectors became so intense that he was immediately dropped from the squad in 2005. India found a new captain in Rahul Dravid and Ganguly was thought to have reached the end of his career. It was a trying period in his life as he faced criticism from all quarters. A website named ‘ihateganguly.com’ became popular and the experts all suggested him to stop behaving like a spoilt child, for he did not accept retirement. Differences with the then newly appointed coach Greg Chappell made matters worse for him. His supporters back home in Kolkata were the only ones who stood by his side. Harsha Bhogle had even commented “It is Sourav who should choose how he wants the world to bid him ‘goodbye’”. All in all, people had more or less accepted the fact that DADA is history.
Little did they know that he was yet to reach the peak of his career. After a gap of about 18 months, he got a chance to be back in the Indian lineup for the series against the Proteas through some remarkable domestic performances. Unwanted by coach Greg Chappell, unsure of his reception by teammates, mocked at by most of the media and fired by injured pride, a determined Ganguly landed in South Africa, and needless to say, made his critics eat their words who had never given him a chance of a comeback at the age of 34. He not only got back his form, but also the flamboyance and enthusiasm of a nineteen year old, as we saw him plundering runs like never before. Winning adulations from world over, he won the hearts of many as a rare comeback King- yes, this was the time when he ceased to be just the prince, he matured to transcend as a Maharaj, and this time there was no one mocking him. It was at this phase that he became again the most consistent Indian batsman and at Bangalore in September last year scored his maiden double century against Pakistan, which was another feather in his cap.
Even though he is currently not in the Indian one-day squad (shockingly), he still remains the enthusiastic yet calm tiger of Bengal and Indian cricket, having still the undying quality of fiery leadership.
As a man from Bengal myself, I can conclude that he represents that race of rare Bengalis who were revolutionaries, like Subhash Chandra Bose. He would still rue many things that happened to him in his career, but as he himself confesses, “It is a part and parcel of the deal”.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
English Honours
This is funny and unbelievable. How confused can one get? The choice of a career is an extremely important one, but in my case this dilemma made me tear my hair out. It gave me sleepless nights along with nightmares! It made me weep and annihilated my self confidence. With poor marks in the Boards and time running out, I’m sure it would have resulted in a nervous breakdown as well. There was a time when I seriously thought about Law, at other times about graduation in Computer Science and then seemed to have made up my mind with Engineering. But now I’m relieved enough to be able to tell myself- “I’m choosing a career totally of my choice”.
I’m going to pursue an Arts course from a prestigious institution. If you people want to laugh, please do. I’m not a sheep neither a buffalo driven by people, the well-wishers, who want me to follow the trend. In pursuit of job- security and money, I would ruin my life. I may not be modern, for I endorse the true meaning of ‘career’ as ‘some service to the society which one is destined to do with all heart and soul throughout one’s life’. Sounds outrageous, doesn’t it? But that’s how it is. I can pour my heart and soul in putting my own thoughts on paper. With all the philosophical and independent thoughts that cross my mind every now and then, I get overwhelmed. I feel I ought to convey my feelings to the whole world. At other times I feel like waking the people of India from their deep slumber through my words.
Yes, you read it right-deep slumber. The urban Indian society of today is changing for the worse, due to various reasons. There are very few who are mature enough to ponder and analyse the lifestyle they lead, a far cry from what is expected of an Indian individual. Those who have the resources and can think beyond food, water and shelter ought to give a part of themselves to the country. But no, corruption is so common that there is no wonder why progress of this ‘mahaan’ nation is so slow. The upper middle class and the affluent too are busy making money. The pub culture is in full swing and youth is addicted to it- that’s the so called ‘fun factor’ attached to it. And unfortunately, the rural public would definitely follow their brothers in the cities. The western influence has played an immense role in this unfortunate ‘revolution’, and how can we ever thank the ‘modern’ Bollywood for it?
When person from a village decides to make fortune in the town, the hurdles and humiliations that would follow would definitely make him street smart. He would learn to play dirty tricks in order to make quick money and follow the easier path. Would he ever learn about the path of truth?
What I mean to say is-today’s generation wants economic independence, and have totally forgotten their duties as a responsible citizen. Also, there are millions of people who are forced to give up a life of idealism due to circumstances. In fact, in short, I can merely state that our society lacks the will, the patriotism and finally the firepower to change the global Indian face.
Oh, I can go on and on about it. If you realise, the above words will be echoed in the minds of many, but do we pause to ponder over it?
There are people who have done it. The story of Rang de Basanti was written by someone who shared my views (although the movie had a few flaws in it as well). So reader, do I still need to convey where my future lies? - It is here, in my diary. With English Honours, I will only be going deeper into this familiar language and helping my cause.
I’m going to pursue an Arts course from a prestigious institution. If you people want to laugh, please do. I’m not a sheep neither a buffalo driven by people, the well-wishers, who want me to follow the trend. In pursuit of job- security and money, I would ruin my life. I may not be modern, for I endorse the true meaning of ‘career’ as ‘some service to the society which one is destined to do with all heart and soul throughout one’s life’. Sounds outrageous, doesn’t it? But that’s how it is. I can pour my heart and soul in putting my own thoughts on paper. With all the philosophical and independent thoughts that cross my mind every now and then, I get overwhelmed. I feel I ought to convey my feelings to the whole world. At other times I feel like waking the people of India from their deep slumber through my words.
Yes, you read it right-deep slumber. The urban Indian society of today is changing for the worse, due to various reasons. There are very few who are mature enough to ponder and analyse the lifestyle they lead, a far cry from what is expected of an Indian individual. Those who have the resources and can think beyond food, water and shelter ought to give a part of themselves to the country. But no, corruption is so common that there is no wonder why progress of this ‘mahaan’ nation is so slow. The upper middle class and the affluent too are busy making money. The pub culture is in full swing and youth is addicted to it- that’s the so called ‘fun factor’ attached to it. And unfortunately, the rural public would definitely follow their brothers in the cities. The western influence has played an immense role in this unfortunate ‘revolution’, and how can we ever thank the ‘modern’ Bollywood for it?
When person from a village decides to make fortune in the town, the hurdles and humiliations that would follow would definitely make him street smart. He would learn to play dirty tricks in order to make quick money and follow the easier path. Would he ever learn about the path of truth?
What I mean to say is-today’s generation wants economic independence, and have totally forgotten their duties as a responsible citizen. Also, there are millions of people who are forced to give up a life of idealism due to circumstances. In fact, in short, I can merely state that our society lacks the will, the patriotism and finally the firepower to change the global Indian face.
Oh, I can go on and on about it. If you realise, the above words will be echoed in the minds of many, but do we pause to ponder over it?
There are people who have done it. The story of Rang de Basanti was written by someone who shared my views (although the movie had a few flaws in it as well). So reader, do I still need to convey where my future lies? - It is here, in my diary. With English Honours, I will only be going deeper into this familiar language and helping my cause.
Monday, June 09, 2008
moral science
Everyday in the newspapers I read about horrendous crimes. It makes me wonder whether people even know that there is something called conscience inside them. As ordinary people too we are taught moral values by so many around us(although it is at a sharp decline), but hardly anyone pays attention to it. It is one thing to admire & preach moral values and quite another to apply them in our lives. However, the most wonderful thing about us human beings is that even though we commit a lot of sins and crimes, if we ask our own selves whether we are actually that bad, the answer is an invariable no. I am absolutely sure that the two boys who shot their classmate dead in Euro International School a few months back were normal people like all of us, and see how they have had to repent for a few moments of madness! In fact, even the professional robbers and killers must have had a prick of conscience the first time they were drawn into the criminal business.
There is never a wrong time to do right things-this we forget. Moreover, God is always ready to forgive us if we repent to our sins, ask for forgiveness and surrender ourselves totally to him. But no, here we can see the ruthless world of fear, dominance, hatred, jealousy and insecurity. Sinners are proud of their sins, 'inspire' other people to commit sins and crimes. There are people too who opt to use the wrong path as it gives them instant pleasure. For example, it can be as simple as cheating in an examination hall.
Most of the times, we also see in our daily life that people respect success more than anything else. Today an Andrew Symonds is a hit; even after all the controversies he has had. Why? merely because he plays well. Ishaan Awasthi was treated badly by the whole world in the movie 'Taare Zameen Par'- not because he was a bad person but because he was a failure. Is this the criteria to judge a person? People forget that success should be valued only as long as the goodness of a person is not doubted.
It is true that people become more and more mature as they increase in age. It is also wonderful to say, then, that even in old age people try to make the right use of their lives. The biggest example is that of Mr. Pierre Pean, a French national who lived in Paris as a travel agent, in his retired life now spends the day teaching poor students free of cost sitting in a not-so-comfortable stool in a ram shackled bus in Malad, Bombay. What made him do so? In fact, the only article that makes my day is that called 'Essential India', which speaks of the people who have in their own ways made the country proud.
Not all is lost. We need to be taught moral values in a different way, which tells us how to apply them in our lives. The world is changing for the better. Let us hope that we contribute a small part to it.
There is never a wrong time to do right things-this we forget. Moreover, God is always ready to forgive us if we repent to our sins, ask for forgiveness and surrender ourselves totally to him. But no, here we can see the ruthless world of fear, dominance, hatred, jealousy and insecurity. Sinners are proud of their sins, 'inspire' other people to commit sins and crimes. There are people too who opt to use the wrong path as it gives them instant pleasure. For example, it can be as simple as cheating in an examination hall.
Most of the times, we also see in our daily life that people respect success more than anything else. Today an Andrew Symonds is a hit; even after all the controversies he has had. Why? merely because he plays well. Ishaan Awasthi was treated badly by the whole world in the movie 'Taare Zameen Par'- not because he was a bad person but because he was a failure. Is this the criteria to judge a person? People forget that success should be valued only as long as the goodness of a person is not doubted.
It is true that people become more and more mature as they increase in age. It is also wonderful to say, then, that even in old age people try to make the right use of their lives. The biggest example is that of Mr. Pierre Pean, a French national who lived in Paris as a travel agent, in his retired life now spends the day teaching poor students free of cost sitting in a not-so-comfortable stool in a ram shackled bus in Malad, Bombay. What made him do so? In fact, the only article that makes my day is that called 'Essential India', which speaks of the people who have in their own ways made the country proud.
Not all is lost. We need to be taught moral values in a different way, which tells us how to apply them in our lives. The world is changing for the better. Let us hope that we contribute a small part to it.
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