An Attempt To Answer The Most Difficult Question : Why is Sachin Loved By All of Us ??

During Sachin mania yesterday, eminent journalist Mr Rajdeep Sardesai posted : 

Mr Sardesai’s question set off a train of thoughts that is yet to show signs of slowing down…

Why Indeed Is He The Most Loved Sportsman of Our Time ?

I humbly tried :

Brevity may be the Soul of Wit, but I do not think my remark even scratched the surface of what I was trying to say…so here I go again...

What Was It about Sachin that made him so loved, so dear to us  ?

A line comes to mind – “The greatness of this man was his simplicity” – used to describe another similarly built, giant of a man, who strangely as it may seem, may have more in common with ST than what would seem at first glance.

But No. That’s not it.

His “middle class” values, the unaffected, neighbourly manner with which he conducted himself ?

Nah – too simplistic an answer – not well thought of enough.

So, what was it ?

The whole of yesterday passed by in a blur – I do recall some moments though .

Yes, Mr Bhogle, I did have tickets to the match – and no, I do not regret seeing it on TV – because I don’t think I could have handled so much emotion live. TV provided me the opportunity to live, digest, break away, relive and remember. And to listen to you guys !

But this is not about me.

This is about the Great Man.

Watching the Heroes programme on Star provided some clues.

It was interesting, because Sachin was relaxed, his guard was down – and he was at his spontaneous best. I think he was enjoying it because the smile never left his face.

This was not like the Sachin of other interviews - efficient and honest, but with a protective ring, a defence mechanism around him.

This was Sachin, the person, the father - interacting with a group of kids, who were seemingly asking him innocuous, even inane questions like “Which is your favourite song ?” – the answer to that one is also very interesting, by the way.

His replies provided lots of insight - They were consistent with what he said in his farewell speech as well.

He said he got nervous before matches – just like any good student with get nervous before examinations – he also added that since he was never a good student, he would not know the feeling !

No one caught on to the fact that he was probably the best student of the game – and he was modest enough not to say it.

He said that Dedication, Discipline, Determination and Focus were all that one needed to do well.

(My mother has been saying that for the last 30 years)

He said that when he had started playing for India, his father had told him that one day, when all this was over, and he would not play anymore, the only thing he would have left would be his own self. He told him never to stop working towards being a good human being, because that was of utmost importance, even more important than excelling in the game he had chosen to be part of.

Did he not say most of this in his farewell speech ?

I was struck by the sheer consistency and wording of the thoughts.

Which brings me now to why he is special to all of us, and why we love him.

In only 5 years of training, he sharpened, honed and built the foundations of his 24 year old career – remember he went to Shri Achrekar when he was 11.

That speaks to me of passion, in addition to the Dedication, Discipline, Determination and Focus. 

He found an enduring passion, and nurtured it to perfection - extracted the maximum from himself towards it.

Nurtured it to the point where he was confident of facing the West Indies at age 15, and treating it as a learning experience. No arrogance, no braggadocio – just confidence.

Played against the best in the business and earned their respect – became super successful - won all possible accolades while doing it – found and married the woman he loved – overcame physical and mental barriers – did it over and over again – for 24 years – in constant scrutiny – under a billion expectations – and yet never lost his cool – never complained - never stopped being a good human being – and never spoke about all of it when he was playing - Never talked about his pain, his anguish, his frustrations – never said “Why Me?”

Faced his fears – injury, death, scandals – and went on to overcome them.

Was always aware that he was not bigger than the game – respected seniors, supported juniors – His accessibility to juniors would surely have been the single most sign of relief to them, and would have given them freedom to express themselves.

Did I miss something out ?

He’s lived a fairy tale life - Don’t we all dream of doing all of this?

I think I now finally understand why my father says : “Beta, agar kuch ban na hai to Sachin Tendulkar jaise bano”…..

The day ended with a phone call from a friend.

AP : “I can’t believe how the day went. It was so emotional. What a player – why can’t we try to become just 1% like him ?”

Friend : “If I could become 1% of him, I would become a super – rockstar in my career!”

And I believe, so would our nation. In not just our careers. As citizens. As people.

Because he has brought to life all of what our mums and dads knew since forever - what was common wisdom.

What Baba Ranchhod Das said : “ Beta Excellence ke peeche bhaago, kaamyabi jhak maar kar peeche aayegi ”

He’s showed us that it can be done. That it is possible.

He has inspired us, and I think now he’s challenging us – to be better, to be good, to be human, and superhuman at the same time.

And to top it off, he went and did this : 

He gave us happiness, when there was none. He gave us hope, joy and confidence. 

He lived Life like Rudyard Kipling said it should be. 

He's given us the template for excellence, and really defined what that word stands for - not the 2 minute, instant noodle version that the internet and other media have made mediocrity out to be.

He's the real hero, in a sea of photoshopped, steroid pumped, surgically enhanced fakes around. 

Why won’t he be so near, and so dear to all of us ? Why not so loved, indeed ? 

PS : His – and his fathers’ - favourite song is “Main zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya..”