As a young man, I was often angry that my country was so backward in sports. I used to talk endlessly with my friends about it. Reading the news, watching TV - commenting was our main profession. One day, my wife asked me - YOU TALK SO MUCH, why don't you actually do something. She set me on a journey from which I have never come back. The beginning was very humble - two badminton rackets and a shuttlecock. EVEN TODAY, my efforts are very humble. But I AM ANGRY. There are so many of us - who comment so much on sports - talk endlessly - but never get up from the chair and DO SOMETHING.
YOU CAN DO A LOT. Just go to the playground every day - walk, jog or run. Make someone catch you - IT IS SO JOYOUS! Collect a small group of children - make them play. Give them the JOY they so richly deserve.
I saw an old man exercising in the basketball court. I asked him, if I could join him. WELCOME, he said. Over a period of few days - others joined us. We made a rule - NO ONE WILL TALK during exercise. Today, the group is almost 50 strong and almost FIVE YEARS old.
YOU WILL HAVE MANY REASONS TO - NOT GO TO PLAYGROUND - throw all those reasons in the waste basket. India's future depends on your going to the playground and nothing shall stop you from doing it. The right to comment on others' successes and failures can only then be rightfully yours.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
I SHALL LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED TO SEE MY COUNTRY AS A SUPER SPORTS POWER!
Never mind the impossibility of the task - I shall walk one step at a time. India shall see my experiment of SELF SUSTAINING SPORTS EDUCATION PROGRAMME incorporated in the educational system of a large school.
SPORTS EDUCATION FOR EACH CHILD - UNITS - GROUPS - COMMANDS
A unit of ten children will be mentored by a 7th standard student [FULLY TRAINED FOR THIS ROLE]. A group of ten units [100 students] would be mentored by a 10th standard student [FULLY TRAINED FOR THIS ROLE]. FORTY FOUR GROUP INCHARGES will provide SPORTS EDUCATION to 4400 students. FOUR SPORTS COMMANDERS [SENIOR VOLUNTEERS - EITHER TEACHERS OR EX-STUDENTS OR PROFESSIONAL COACHES OR ? ?]will control ELEVEN GROUPS [1100 students]. The number taken by me is for a specific school in Bangalore. This can be varied according to our choice.
DEVELOPING HAND AND EYE CO-ORDINATION from early child-hood through various fun games. The brighter ones are put on tougher variables. The brightest are pushed to highest levels. Competitions are regularly held to ensure sustained interest.
THE SKIPPING ROPE REVOLUTION - A simple skipping rope can provide endless joy and very high level of fitness. I have seen more than ONE HUNDRED different drills done with the skipping rope. This can be substituted by other materials - small or big balls, rings, batons etc to create enhanced interest.
THE GAMES PERIOD - Proper allocation of at least ONE GAMES PERIOD every day FOR EVERY CHILD in which specific skill enhancement is to be done. This can be complimented by providing weekend activities for different groups at different times. Those who are seriously interested in pursuing for competitive level - they can use extra time on Sundays or holidays.
CHILD DRIVEN PROGRAMME - When a child enjoys the games period - the learning will be enhanced. Initial teething problems must be squarely sorted out. A change in the mindset THAT IT CAN BE DONE must be driven home.
THE ACADEMIC TEACHERS must understand the SPORTS EDUCATION PROGRAMME because without their support it will not succeed. They must be made to understand that SPORTS enhances intelligence and increases focus.
REGULAR EXERCISE would give enormous benefits to the health of the children and we may yet see PARENTS DEMANDING SPORTS FOR THEIR CHILDREN.
These are very sketchy details. An elaborate project report which will mention the minutest details would be prepared very shortly for receiving FEEDBACK and INPUTS.
IF THE MIND IS WILLING THE SKY IS THE LIMIT. I had once conducted an enthralling basketball learning programme for 1300 children. Only recently I conducted a THREE DAY basketball learning programme at J.N.V. LEPAKSHI for 600 students. THIS CAN BE REPLICATED FOR ANY GAME - and by having variety of games - the children have a choice to adopt the game they love.
SPORTS EDUCATION FOR EACH CHILD - UNITS - GROUPS - COMMANDS
A unit of ten children will be mentored by a 7th standard student [FULLY TRAINED FOR THIS ROLE]. A group of ten units [100 students] would be mentored by a 10th standard student [FULLY TRAINED FOR THIS ROLE]. FORTY FOUR GROUP INCHARGES will provide SPORTS EDUCATION to 4400 students. FOUR SPORTS COMMANDERS [SENIOR VOLUNTEERS - EITHER TEACHERS OR EX-STUDENTS OR PROFESSIONAL COACHES OR ? ?]will control ELEVEN GROUPS [1100 students]. The number taken by me is for a specific school in Bangalore. This can be varied according to our choice.
DEVELOPING HAND AND EYE CO-ORDINATION from early child-hood through various fun games. The brighter ones are put on tougher variables. The brightest are pushed to highest levels. Competitions are regularly held to ensure sustained interest.
THE SKIPPING ROPE REVOLUTION - A simple skipping rope can provide endless joy and very high level of fitness. I have seen more than ONE HUNDRED different drills done with the skipping rope. This can be substituted by other materials - small or big balls, rings, batons etc to create enhanced interest.
THE GAMES PERIOD - Proper allocation of at least ONE GAMES PERIOD every day FOR EVERY CHILD in which specific skill enhancement is to be done. This can be complimented by providing weekend activities for different groups at different times. Those who are seriously interested in pursuing for competitive level - they can use extra time on Sundays or holidays.
CHILD DRIVEN PROGRAMME - When a child enjoys the games period - the learning will be enhanced. Initial teething problems must be squarely sorted out. A change in the mindset THAT IT CAN BE DONE must be driven home.
THE ACADEMIC TEACHERS must understand the SPORTS EDUCATION PROGRAMME because without their support it will not succeed. They must be made to understand that SPORTS enhances intelligence and increases focus.
REGULAR EXERCISE would give enormous benefits to the health of the children and we may yet see PARENTS DEMANDING SPORTS FOR THEIR CHILDREN.
These are very sketchy details. An elaborate project report which will mention the minutest details would be prepared very shortly for receiving FEEDBACK and INPUTS.
IF THE MIND IS WILLING THE SKY IS THE LIMIT. I had once conducted an enthralling basketball learning programme for 1300 children. Only recently I conducted a THREE DAY basketball learning programme at J.N.V. LEPAKSHI for 600 students. THIS CAN BE REPLICATED FOR ANY GAME - and by having variety of games - the children have a choice to adopt the game they love.
Friday, July 30, 2010
YOU ARE INVITED - MY DEAR FRIEND - TO A WEEKEND OF GRASS ROOT BASKETBALL
This is a personal invitation from me to you - MY DEAR BASKETBALL FRIENDS! Come and spend a weekend with me to know SUMPOORNA BASKETBALL SCHOOL - the Indian Basketball Initiative. Join me in the basketball court which is full of teeming young children holding, dribbling and shooting the BASKETBALL in full joy. Their enthusiasm - their smiles - THEIR INNOCENCE will rub on to you. YOU SUDDENLY UNDERSTAND WHY THE GAME WAS INVENTED BY DR. NAISMITH.
Our weekend will begin on saturday afternoon. We will visit a school - WHICH HAS NEVER HAD A COACH - waited upon by 100 plus students. Tremendous excitement builds up as we make smaller groups. GIVE ME THE BALL - GIVE ME THE BALL - and get out of my way - THEY PROCLAIM. And we do just that. Let them, by touching - by dribbling [in whatever way] satisfy their urge. AND IN THE CROWD enter a few skilled players - dribbling in a more purposeful way. The new enthusiasts of the ball WONDER at this dribbling. Some try to copy - while others just observe. EMBEDDED LEARNING STARTS TO HAPPEN. There is a purpose to their dribbling now. We slowly have their attention.
Later in the day, one lesson at a time - the purpose and methods of dribbling are hurriedly explained - AND THE DRILLS BEGIN NOW - inter spread with various humorous relays. It is an extra-ordinary mixture of FUN - DO WHAT YOU PLEASE - LEARNING; conventional coaches beat a hasty retreat shaking their heads NO NO - this is no way to learn basketball. I CAN ONLY SMILE! MAYBE I WILL EVEN LAUGH ALOUD because you would see what has happened in half a day.
Subliminal learning is much much faster. I have evolved these methods over the last 25 years. I learnt my basketball in a similar way - since there were no coaches to teach us the game. We had to learn it by ourselves. Our passion for the game - our desire to improve our basics and skills came by and by. These children will also slowly pick up the finer points of the game. THE GAME WILL COME TO THEM!
Then my friend, on SUNDAY morning - we will probably visit another basketball court where another one hundred plus will be waiting in different coloured uniforms to play the S.A.B.A.L [sumpoorna annual basketball league] tournament. The teams are picked up and the games begin. One or two rounds of matches are played according to the selection made by me. In the afternoon begins the PLAY-OFFS. By 5pm the finals are over. The referee, the table officials - ALL ARE STUDENTS THEMSELVES. I just sit or stand and wonder - and maybe you would wonder too. Isn't this the finest way of promoting grass root basketball.
SO TELL ME WHEN YOU ARE COMING. I REALLY HOPE YOU WOULD COME - to talk to these future basketball players of India. They are always eager to meet GREAT BASKETBALL PLAYERS LIKE YOU.
Our weekend will begin on saturday afternoon. We will visit a school - WHICH HAS NEVER HAD A COACH - waited upon by 100 plus students. Tremendous excitement builds up as we make smaller groups. GIVE ME THE BALL - GIVE ME THE BALL - and get out of my way - THEY PROCLAIM. And we do just that. Let them, by touching - by dribbling [in whatever way] satisfy their urge. AND IN THE CROWD enter a few skilled players - dribbling in a more purposeful way. The new enthusiasts of the ball WONDER at this dribbling. Some try to copy - while others just observe. EMBEDDED LEARNING STARTS TO HAPPEN. There is a purpose to their dribbling now. We slowly have their attention.
Later in the day, one lesson at a time - the purpose and methods of dribbling are hurriedly explained - AND THE DRILLS BEGIN NOW - inter spread with various humorous relays. It is an extra-ordinary mixture of FUN - DO WHAT YOU PLEASE - LEARNING; conventional coaches beat a hasty retreat shaking their heads NO NO - this is no way to learn basketball. I CAN ONLY SMILE! MAYBE I WILL EVEN LAUGH ALOUD because you would see what has happened in half a day.
Subliminal learning is much much faster. I have evolved these methods over the last 25 years. I learnt my basketball in a similar way - since there were no coaches to teach us the game. We had to learn it by ourselves. Our passion for the game - our desire to improve our basics and skills came by and by. These children will also slowly pick up the finer points of the game. THE GAME WILL COME TO THEM!
Then my friend, on SUNDAY morning - we will probably visit another basketball court where another one hundred plus will be waiting in different coloured uniforms to play the S.A.B.A.L [sumpoorna annual basketball league] tournament. The teams are picked up and the games begin. One or two rounds of matches are played according to the selection made by me. In the afternoon begins the PLAY-OFFS. By 5pm the finals are over. The referee, the table officials - ALL ARE STUDENTS THEMSELVES. I just sit or stand and wonder - and maybe you would wonder too. Isn't this the finest way of promoting grass root basketball.
SO TELL ME WHEN YOU ARE COMING. I REALLY HOPE YOU WOULD COME - to talk to these future basketball players of India. They are always eager to meet GREAT BASKETBALL PLAYERS LIKE YOU.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
1200 KMS IN 24 HOURS - CREATING MIND BODY FUSION!
I have often worked with extremities in my life. Most of them were crazy and the crazier they got - the more I respected myself. How much my mind could take? And how much my body could take? Foolhardiness comes easy to children and youth - it is the elixir of joy for many - as it was for me. But, trying to do at 56 - many would think I had gone bananas. I, however, prefer to eat them.
An opportunity came to traverse the northern Karnataka. I didn't miss it. My scorpio moves like a gazelle - I think it has fused its functions with my mind. I drive it subliminally and at the end of every journey I observe that I DIDN'T DRIVE AT ALL.
We left at 1 a.m. and we were in Chitradurga at 4 a.m. The drive was a breeze. As we moved into the Chitradurga - Solapur road; the lorries travelling kept increasing. But it wasn't much of a bother - you soon get acclimatised to such vagaries and take them in your stride. Just before Bijapur a traffic jam developed up. We were delayed by almost one hour. Someone told me - sometimes these last hours or even one day. A chill went up my spine. So this is one problem with this highway. But the wonderful co-operation of the lorry drivers saw it cleared through very quickly - and that is a plus point. By 11am we reached our destination.
We started back from KAGGODU - the village near Bijapur, which we had visited, by 3pm. We decided that we will travel back to Bangalore - via Hubli, in effect adding 100 Kms to our route. Initially the road looked wonderful - but then at places it was totally ruined. And we had to go through the small towns [as no bye-passes have been built yet]. We reached Hubli by 6-15pm and had to again pass through the city.
Initially it was very fine road - then came the problems - at many places the road doubling work is being done - two railway crossings cause traffic jams. Time slowly crawled on us - as at times we moved at a snail's pace. The most discomforting thing was the sign DIVERSION AHEAD is improperly placed. At some places, it is just at the juncture and sometimes deep inside. So, in effect destroying the purpose for which it is put.
My colleague, Raja, thought it was time for supper at 9pm. The dal fry and the egg burji is usual for us at Dhabas. The tea was good. As time passed, sleep tried to catch up on me. I stopped for two short naps of 5 minutes each - but they didn't help much. So I took a power nap of ONE HOUR and the last 120 Kms were a breeze. At 3-15 am I reached home and the speedometer read 1198 Kms. I remember, while I was driving the last phase of my drive - SOMEONE PATTED MY BACK AND SAID `WELL DONE'. I suddenly understood I had the energy to go out and seek more challenges. It was the perfect fusion of my mind and body.
An opportunity came to traverse the northern Karnataka. I didn't miss it. My scorpio moves like a gazelle - I think it has fused its functions with my mind. I drive it subliminally and at the end of every journey I observe that I DIDN'T DRIVE AT ALL.
We left at 1 a.m. and we were in Chitradurga at 4 a.m. The drive was a breeze. As we moved into the Chitradurga - Solapur road; the lorries travelling kept increasing. But it wasn't much of a bother - you soon get acclimatised to such vagaries and take them in your stride. Just before Bijapur a traffic jam developed up. We were delayed by almost one hour. Someone told me - sometimes these last hours or even one day. A chill went up my spine. So this is one problem with this highway. But the wonderful co-operation of the lorry drivers saw it cleared through very quickly - and that is a plus point. By 11am we reached our destination.
We started back from KAGGODU - the village near Bijapur, which we had visited, by 3pm. We decided that we will travel back to Bangalore - via Hubli, in effect adding 100 Kms to our route. Initially the road looked wonderful - but then at places it was totally ruined. And we had to go through the small towns [as no bye-passes have been built yet]. We reached Hubli by 6-15pm and had to again pass through the city.
Initially it was very fine road - then came the problems - at many places the road doubling work is being done - two railway crossings cause traffic jams. Time slowly crawled on us - as at times we moved at a snail's pace. The most discomforting thing was the sign DIVERSION AHEAD is improperly placed. At some places, it is just at the juncture and sometimes deep inside. So, in effect destroying the purpose for which it is put.
My colleague, Raja, thought it was time for supper at 9pm. The dal fry and the egg burji is usual for us at Dhabas. The tea was good. As time passed, sleep tried to catch up on me. I stopped for two short naps of 5 minutes each - but they didn't help much. So I took a power nap of ONE HOUR and the last 120 Kms were a breeze. At 3-15 am I reached home and the speedometer read 1198 Kms. I remember, while I was driving the last phase of my drive - SOMEONE PATTED MY BACK AND SAID `WELL DONE'. I suddenly understood I had the energy to go out and seek more challenges. It was the perfect fusion of my mind and body.
Friday, July 23, 2010
THE INDIAN PSYCHE - IN RELATION TO SPORTS!
Here is my advise to the SPORTS PROMOTERS from India and outside. Howsoever well meaning your efforts are it wouldn't do any harm to know what is THE INDIAN PSYCHE - IN RELATION TO SPORTS. I don't want to jump up and say YOU - YOU - and YOU are responsible for the Indian sports mess. I hope I can give an objective view. I love India too much to do otherwise.
The percentage of people who participate in sports on a regular basis [other than hobli - taluk - district - state level] is very low. So, if you go to the playground regularly YOU ARE ALREADY A FREAK. There is no question of encouragement. There is - of another type. The present generation parents or grandparents are TV SPORTSMEN - they like their sports, on TV, and when they see Sachin Tendulkar - they willingly send their children [paying HUGE AMOUNT of money] to `branded' cricket camps [name of some past cricketer is used as a brand]. And when they see Sania Mirza, they scout for the nearest Tennis academy. What type of fitness these `camps' provide is very well known. They provide participation in `pre-arranged' matches and ensure that the child gets a medal, cup or a certificate to prove that HE IS A SPORTSMAN.
We all know the story of how parents are encouraged to PAY MORE MONEY so that their child can become a member of a divisional team. Selection of players for teams leaves lot of heart burning for the genuine players. I am sure everyone has a story to tell. Parents are pro-active in offering considerations in cash and kind so that somehow their child can MAKE IT. Who wouldn't be tempted?
IT IS TIME I APOLOGIZED TO ALL THOSE BRAVE-HEART SPORTSMEN, COACHES AND ADMINISTRATORS WHO ARE DOING THEIR WORK GENUINELY - they are the ones who provide an occasional SILVER LINING to the dark cloud of Indian sports. For them sports is a religion - and I bow my head to them.
When competition at the top is of a low level - the teams can win only with HELP from different sources. Unfortunately, it is practically impossible to get this clandestine help at the international level - the real test has begun. Most of the genuinely talented players have no god-fathers and the system discards them early on, in effect, shutting up the GENUINE GRASS ROOT SELECTION. Games like basketball are a typical example of this.
So what is the answer. Many experiments have been tried. The infamous SIDDHI TRIBALS fiasco [when everyone thought people having African origins] would become world class champions. The sports schools which are run pathetically - as of a Govt. department. Talented coaches are shunted to far off desolate places and those who are stationed at PLUM PLACES enjoy the fruits. NOW WITH THE SUCCESS OF IPL, everyone wants to `clone' the system to their game. So suddenly everyone is talking of having professional leagues. There is a rush to jump on the bandwagon. THIS IS NOT THE ANSWER.
The answer lies within us. GIVE RESPECT TO SPORTS AND THE SPORTSMEN. Do not treat them like freaks. They bring glory to the country and are due that respect. I oldly state this - IN OLDEN TIMES WE CONQUERED COUNTRIES TO SHOW OUR SUPERIORITY, in the modern world IT IS ABOUT WINNING MATCHES. Spain is a world superpower in sports with the winning of the world cup. AND NURTURE THE COACHES TOO - they are the hen mothers without which no success is possible. The sports administrators have to OVERHAUL THEIR THINKING in a revolutionary way. There is too much of dead-wood in the organizations - it is time to cast it away. SPORTS IS SLOWLY BECOMING BUSINESS - all these years it was treated in a very shabby way. Sportsmen want larger pay-checks, which is their due. The real thing is to promote sports at par with academics - parents, schools, sports organizations - must work towards that end. THE COMPETITION should begin at an early age and MERIT should decide the winners.
I am no fool. Utopia won't come in one day. But let us at least recognize the problems and then go ahead and solve them. It will not be easy - there are going to be many battles - BUT THE WAR MUST BE WON! At stake is our national pride!
The percentage of people who participate in sports on a regular basis [other than hobli - taluk - district - state level] is very low. So, if you go to the playground regularly YOU ARE ALREADY A FREAK. There is no question of encouragement. There is - of another type. The present generation parents or grandparents are TV SPORTSMEN - they like their sports, on TV, and when they see Sachin Tendulkar - they willingly send their children [paying HUGE AMOUNT of money] to `branded' cricket camps [name of some past cricketer is used as a brand]. And when they see Sania Mirza, they scout for the nearest Tennis academy. What type of fitness these `camps' provide is very well known. They provide participation in `pre-arranged' matches and ensure that the child gets a medal, cup or a certificate to prove that HE IS A SPORTSMAN.
We all know the story of how parents are encouraged to PAY MORE MONEY so that their child can become a member of a divisional team. Selection of players for teams leaves lot of heart burning for the genuine players. I am sure everyone has a story to tell. Parents are pro-active in offering considerations in cash and kind so that somehow their child can MAKE IT. Who wouldn't be tempted?
IT IS TIME I APOLOGIZED TO ALL THOSE BRAVE-HEART SPORTSMEN, COACHES AND ADMINISTRATORS WHO ARE DOING THEIR WORK GENUINELY - they are the ones who provide an occasional SILVER LINING to the dark cloud of Indian sports. For them sports is a religion - and I bow my head to them.
When competition at the top is of a low level - the teams can win only with HELP from different sources. Unfortunately, it is practically impossible to get this clandestine help at the international level - the real test has begun. Most of the genuinely talented players have no god-fathers and the system discards them early on, in effect, shutting up the GENUINE GRASS ROOT SELECTION. Games like basketball are a typical example of this.
So what is the answer. Many experiments have been tried. The infamous SIDDHI TRIBALS fiasco [when everyone thought people having African origins] would become world class champions. The sports schools which are run pathetically - as of a Govt. department. Talented coaches are shunted to far off desolate places and those who are stationed at PLUM PLACES enjoy the fruits. NOW WITH THE SUCCESS OF IPL, everyone wants to `clone' the system to their game. So suddenly everyone is talking of having professional leagues. There is a rush to jump on the bandwagon. THIS IS NOT THE ANSWER.
The answer lies within us. GIVE RESPECT TO SPORTS AND THE SPORTSMEN. Do not treat them like freaks. They bring glory to the country and are due that respect. I oldly state this - IN OLDEN TIMES WE CONQUERED COUNTRIES TO SHOW OUR SUPERIORITY, in the modern world IT IS ABOUT WINNING MATCHES. Spain is a world superpower in sports with the winning of the world cup. AND NURTURE THE COACHES TOO - they are the hen mothers without which no success is possible. The sports administrators have to OVERHAUL THEIR THINKING in a revolutionary way. There is too much of dead-wood in the organizations - it is time to cast it away. SPORTS IS SLOWLY BECOMING BUSINESS - all these years it was treated in a very shabby way. Sportsmen want larger pay-checks, which is their due. The real thing is to promote sports at par with academics - parents, schools, sports organizations - must work towards that end. THE COMPETITION should begin at an early age and MERIT should decide the winners.
I am no fool. Utopia won't come in one day. But let us at least recognize the problems and then go ahead and solve them. It will not be easy - there are going to be many battles - BUT THE WAR MUST BE WON! At stake is our national pride!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
MAKING MORE ENEMIES THAN FRIENDS!
The young children I trained became better and better. Suddenly there was a buzz in the air - THAT BASKETBALL WAS COOL! Officers from the PSU, past basketball players and politicos of the game started coming in to give ADVISE. Everyone wanted a share in the WINNING HORSE. Then another thing happened - all HANDBALL players [some of them state, national and international players] wanted to play basketball. Occasionally, cricket and hockey players too wanted to play the game for WARM UP. The game was becoming too popular [READ - MAHAJAN WAS BECOMING TOO POPULAR]. Other coaches didn't like it - though there was a smile on their face when they wished me.
AND SUDDENLY, we started getting interference from the `official' basketball team - which suddenly decided to change its timing to `coincide' with our timing. Old stalwarts of the game - who had been the COACHES during past two decades, who were in the team more for the `LEAVES' they could enjoy than for playing - suddenly united against the common enemy - ME.
I was getting suffocated - when suddenly, another horizon opened up. A leading school of the city asked me to be a part-time coach for their school. FOR THE FIRST TIME, I WAS GOING TO BE PAID FOR DOING WHAT I LOVED! The news spread fast - according to all I WAS GOING TO BE PAID AN ASTRONOMICAL SUM. This didn't make many people happy. What happened in the school MUST BE A SEPARATE STORY.
To silence all my enemies and FRIENDS [?] TOO - I proposed that we conduct an event called MICRO-OLYMPICS. Every player, coach and administrator would be involved. One thousand children from the neighbouring schools would be invited from standards I to V to participate in FIVE DISCIPLINES - for those interested I shall prepare the technical details and post it later. Suddenly I WAS A HERO - there was unity all around. To make the event successful - everyone pitched in - some joined up to `mock' at what we were doing. But even their eyes popped out in wonder, when the march past of these ONE THOUSAND CHILDREN took place. I was THE CHEF DE MISSION and I behaved like one. It was, the most astounding event of my career.
In the meantime, my basketball boys and girls were growing up - their victories and losses were being hailed. The nine year olds were becoming thirteen year olds and a group emerged from this batch that went on to surpass every one's expectations. Some senior players [GENUINE] started giving these boys and girls tips - and some senior players [NON-GENUINE] started abusing these children by saying YOUR COACH DOESN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT BASKETBALL. My non-conventional way of coaching wasn't going well with them. One day, just to spite me, they invited me to play along with them. They were incredulously shocked when I shot FOUR - three pointers to stamp my class. My defense too was impeccable - and instead of making me look like a joker they got mud on their faces. My students cheered me - WE HAD MADE MORE ENEMIES! But we had FRIENDS too.
These FRIENDS made a scapegoat out of me and I finally quit the scene at the PSU. Things were hotting up at the school and that part is next.
AND SUDDENLY, we started getting interference from the `official' basketball team - which suddenly decided to change its timing to `coincide' with our timing. Old stalwarts of the game - who had been the COACHES during past two decades, who were in the team more for the `LEAVES' they could enjoy than for playing - suddenly united against the common enemy - ME.
I was getting suffocated - when suddenly, another horizon opened up. A leading school of the city asked me to be a part-time coach for their school. FOR THE FIRST TIME, I WAS GOING TO BE PAID FOR DOING WHAT I LOVED! The news spread fast - according to all I WAS GOING TO BE PAID AN ASTRONOMICAL SUM. This didn't make many people happy. What happened in the school MUST BE A SEPARATE STORY.
To silence all my enemies and FRIENDS [?] TOO - I proposed that we conduct an event called MICRO-OLYMPICS. Every player, coach and administrator would be involved. One thousand children from the neighbouring schools would be invited from standards I to V to participate in FIVE DISCIPLINES - for those interested I shall prepare the technical details and post it later. Suddenly I WAS A HERO - there was unity all around. To make the event successful - everyone pitched in - some joined up to `mock' at what we were doing. But even their eyes popped out in wonder, when the march past of these ONE THOUSAND CHILDREN took place. I was THE CHEF DE MISSION and I behaved like one. It was, the most astounding event of my career.
In the meantime, my basketball boys and girls were growing up - their victories and losses were being hailed. The nine year olds were becoming thirteen year olds and a group emerged from this batch that went on to surpass every one's expectations. Some senior players [GENUINE] started giving these boys and girls tips - and some senior players [NON-GENUINE] started abusing these children by saying YOUR COACH DOESN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT BASKETBALL. My non-conventional way of coaching wasn't going well with them. One day, just to spite me, they invited me to play along with them. They were incredulously shocked when I shot FOUR - three pointers to stamp my class. My defense too was impeccable - and instead of making me look like a joker they got mud on their faces. My students cheered me - WE HAD MADE MORE ENEMIES! But we had FRIENDS too.
These FRIENDS made a scapegoat out of me and I finally quit the scene at the PSU. Things were hotting up at the school and that part is next.
THE COACH WHO WASN'T A COACH
Even today I feel like THE BLUE JACKAL who acted like the king of the forest. I was never trained to be a coach but I became a coach. The club loved me because I brought huge crowds of children into the stadium. The barren look most of the stadiums have is because SPORTS is supposed to be very tough - and the look most sportsmen support on their faces is nothing to crow about. IT IS VERY VERY SERIOUS. So children tend to stay away from BIG STADIUMS. I changed all that. My children could run 10 rounds or even 20 rounds around the stadium - and so could other new-comers; because there were always innovation in my `warm ups'. WE CLIMBED HILLS for warm up during week-ends. There were very few hills, we didn't climb up. I was known as the man WHO TOOK CHILDREN FOR TREKKING. I didn't mind. I was building their minds and bodies.
Our girls' team was beaten with 32-0 score and the boys team did little better by losing with 28-0. Later, they told us that the other team had FOUR state players playing for them. For a week, I stopped going to the stadium - I was so frustrated.
FUN WAS OK - matches couldn't be won with smiles on our faces. After a week, I came back to the basketball court fully prepared. For one week, I searched in the Library for BASKETBALL COACHING MANUALS. I learnt `man-to-man' marking versus zone defence. I must have read more than twenty books - I even read YMCA's rules of sports and games. I WAS TRAINING MYSELF TO BE A COACH.
Then we got another call from the same team - THEY WERE ASKING - WANT ANOTHER THRASHING? We asked them for two more weeks. They agreed. I do not know what happened in the next fifteen days. I started playing with them - and as I played, I found my three pointers going in - my hook shots started going in and I hardly ever missed my free throws. AND THE KIDS STARTED COPYING ME. Never again I was going to coach again - the best way to coach, I found, was to be in the court - playing with them. They will pick up the `skills' subliminally and it would indeed be SELF LEARNING. I was the best defensive player during my university days - I exactly knew how to steal the ball; and as I went back to my `basket balling days' my children learnt to copy - and to my amazement, some developed little variables on my style. Our confidence grew leaps and bounds. We lost our second match with this team but the scores told the story. Boys 46-32 - Girls 34 - 29!
PART III - Later
Our girls' team was beaten with 32-0 score and the boys team did little better by losing with 28-0. Later, they told us that the other team had FOUR state players playing for them. For a week, I stopped going to the stadium - I was so frustrated.
FUN WAS OK - matches couldn't be won with smiles on our faces. After a week, I came back to the basketball court fully prepared. For one week, I searched in the Library for BASKETBALL COACHING MANUALS. I learnt `man-to-man' marking versus zone defence. I must have read more than twenty books - I even read YMCA's rules of sports and games. I WAS TRAINING MYSELF TO BE A COACH.
Then we got another call from the same team - THEY WERE ASKING - WANT ANOTHER THRASHING? We asked them for two more weeks. They agreed. I do not know what happened in the next fifteen days. I started playing with them - and as I played, I found my three pointers going in - my hook shots started going in and I hardly ever missed my free throws. AND THE KIDS STARTED COPYING ME. Never again I was going to coach again - the best way to coach, I found, was to be in the court - playing with them. They will pick up the `skills' subliminally and it would indeed be SELF LEARNING. I was the best defensive player during my university days - I exactly knew how to steal the ball; and as I went back to my `basket balling days' my children learnt to copy - and to my amazement, some developed little variables on my style. Our confidence grew leaps and bounds. We lost our second match with this team but the scores told the story. Boys 46-32 - Girls 34 - 29!
PART III - Later
HOW I BECAME A BASKETBALL COACH?
The last I had played basketball was when I was 19 during my B.Com days - in Punjab University at CHANDIGARH. Now I can't imagine even one day without BASKETBALL - playing, coaching or writing about it. It is a long story but I will make it as short as possible. When I saw the sports facilities being provided to my son were totally inadequate - I made myself an ALL GAMES COACH! We played football, rugby, handball, athletics, trekking, hill climbing, table tennis and finally the game of our country - CRICKET. As I worked with a very large group of children who became my students, it was easy to see why they were attracted to me - YOU COULD PLAY WHATEVER YOU WANTED TO.
By chance, one day I saw a basketball court very near to my son's school and since I knew the game well - I gravitated towards it. I innovated rules which allowed 100 children to divide into two teams and play the game. WE ENJOYED - but some puritans of basketball didn't like it - WE IGNORED THEM. There were, of course, some basketball players who had see been around for long - THEY LIKED MY WAY. I had introduced the concept of FUN in basketball, which otherwise seemed very boring. So, it was indeed a surprise for the club management when they found more than 80 children wanted to join the summer camp - where, earlier, hardly 15-20 children were force-sent by their parents. And, a journey began for me - when I was politely told that WE HAVE MANY CLUB MEMBERS and that I cannot bring my crowd of children there. I WAS KICKED OUT.
We went back to our football playing - trekking - and other sports. Luckily, a township of a public sector company became my next stop. For almost one year, we did sports the way no one had done earlier. I became a SPORTS SCIENTIST - I discovered methodologies that attracted children. For almost two months, we did EXCITING ATHLETICS - we even had examinations! Ha Ha. IT WAS FUN with capitals. Children just loved it - and I loved children. I had meandered into life thinking less of my business and more of the GAMES. Of course, that cannot be a part of this story.
AND THEN, we found an abandoned basketball court - hardly used, but very nicely made. It belonged to a prestigious research institute. Boldly, we started playing there - but lo behold, the security officer asked whether we were children of the staff. We weren't - so please do not come and play here. From there we went to an engineering college and were again kicked out, because the engineering college students of that college played cricket in the court. A seething anger over the injustice to my students slowly took over. But we wouldn't give up - rather, I WOULDN'T GIVE UP.
Another big public sector company had a beautiful stadium along with a very nice basketball court. Not many played basketball - so the few boys there welcomed us, because they could easily beat our team. It was 7th and 8th students versus PUC students. They enjoyed beating us - we enjoyed playing basketball. Then, a miracle took place. The Secretary, of this club, approached me and asked me if I wanted to be the coach. Anyway, every day, you bring a crowd of children - whom you coach so nicely - so why don't you do it officially. FINALLY I HAD BECOME A RECOGNIZED COACH!
PART II - Later ----
By chance, one day I saw a basketball court very near to my son's school and since I knew the game well - I gravitated towards it. I innovated rules which allowed 100 children to divide into two teams and play the game. WE ENJOYED - but some puritans of basketball didn't like it - WE IGNORED THEM. There were, of course, some basketball players who had see been around for long - THEY LIKED MY WAY. I had introduced the concept of FUN in basketball, which otherwise seemed very boring. So, it was indeed a surprise for the club management when they found more than 80 children wanted to join the summer camp - where, earlier, hardly 15-20 children were force-sent by their parents. And, a journey began for me - when I was politely told that WE HAVE MANY CLUB MEMBERS and that I cannot bring my crowd of children there. I WAS KICKED OUT.
We went back to our football playing - trekking - and other sports. Luckily, a township of a public sector company became my next stop. For almost one year, we did sports the way no one had done earlier. I became a SPORTS SCIENTIST - I discovered methodologies that attracted children. For almost two months, we did EXCITING ATHLETICS - we even had examinations! Ha Ha. IT WAS FUN with capitals. Children just loved it - and I loved children. I had meandered into life thinking less of my business and more of the GAMES. Of course, that cannot be a part of this story.
AND THEN, we found an abandoned basketball court - hardly used, but very nicely made. It belonged to a prestigious research institute. Boldly, we started playing there - but lo behold, the security officer asked whether we were children of the staff. We weren't - so please do not come and play here. From there we went to an engineering college and were again kicked out, because the engineering college students of that college played cricket in the court. A seething anger over the injustice to my students slowly took over. But we wouldn't give up - rather, I WOULDN'T GIVE UP.
Another big public sector company had a beautiful stadium along with a very nice basketball court. Not many played basketball - so the few boys there welcomed us, because they could easily beat our team. It was 7th and 8th students versus PUC students. They enjoyed beating us - we enjoyed playing basketball. Then, a miracle took place. The Secretary, of this club, approached me and asked me if I wanted to be the coach. Anyway, every day, you bring a crowd of children - whom you coach so nicely - so why don't you do it officially. FINALLY I HAD BECOME A RECOGNIZED COACH!
PART II - Later ----
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
YOU SLAPPED HER - YOU SLAPPED ME - YOU SLAPPED INDIA!
What shall I say? I can see the marks of a slap on your face - I can see the bubbling tears that you are trying to hold. I can feel the sting of the slap on my face. I believe, whoever has slapped you - HAS SLAPPED INDIA. If your crime is to have WANTED TO PLAY - if your crime is to have SHOT THE WINNING BASKET for the glory of your school - then the teacher of that school WHO SLAPS YOUR FACE - needs to be handcuffed and thrown in a prison.
I CANNOT TOLERATE A SLAP ON THE FACE OF INDIA - I cannot tolerate a slap on your face, YOU, my basketball player student. How many times, you have worn my basketball uniform - how many times, you have worn my shoes - HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE SILENTLY seen your torn clothes, torn shoes with which you attend the camps. And you rightly take away all that is mine as yours - YOU ARE THE DREAM THAT INDIA MUST DREAM! For your sweat and toil in playing basketball is a service this nation must recognize.
THE SLAP is a reminder, that this is what we must fight - prejudicial attitude towards sports - towards joy of living - towards being a child. Come, hold my hand and walk along with me to the greatness that awaits you - for I dedicate my life to you - THE INDIAN SPORTING CHILD! I shall cut the next hand that slaps you - the hand that slaps MY INDIA. For my India lives in its children!
I CANNOT TOLERATE A SLAP ON THE FACE OF INDIA - I cannot tolerate a slap on your face, YOU, my basketball player student. How many times, you have worn my basketball uniform - how many times, you have worn my shoes - HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE SILENTLY seen your torn clothes, torn shoes with which you attend the camps. And you rightly take away all that is mine as yours - YOU ARE THE DREAM THAT INDIA MUST DREAM! For your sweat and toil in playing basketball is a service this nation must recognize.
THE SLAP is a reminder, that this is what we must fight - prejudicial attitude towards sports - towards joy of living - towards being a child. Come, hold my hand and walk along with me to the greatness that awaits you - for I dedicate my life to you - THE INDIAN SPORTING CHILD! I shall cut the next hand that slaps you - the hand that slaps MY INDIA. For my India lives in its children!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
THE OSAMA BIN LADEN WITHIN US!
Yesterday I experienced - what I thought I never would! I travelled to a town which is a suburb of Bangalore [the most modern city of India]. I was told about the following FATWAS :
A. Boys and girls of undergraduate classes shall not ride on Scooties or Mobikes to
the College Rs.500 is the fine, if caught.
B. Girls shall not wear jeans to the college.
c. Boys and girls shall not TALK to each other. A variable issued by a `liberal'
college is that they shall not talk TOO MUCH! [What does that word mean]?
d. Boys and girls of PUC shall not TALK about sports or participate in sports!
e. They shall not participate in TOURNAMENTS unless it is organized by the college
itself [WHICH THE COLLEGE WILL DAMN WELL TRY NOT TO]!
f. SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES are trying to provide EXTENDED STUDY HOURS, well beyond they
should - so that students cannot have ANY OTHER LIFE other than being students.
Parents are willing to spend extra thousands so that their child will stay in the
school or college from 7am to 6pm.
I am sure these FATWAS couldn't have come TO BE - without the active support of the parents. WE ARE ALL OSAMA BIN LADENS - let us make no bones about it. Those who made these rules - and those who are aware of it but DO NOT DO ANYTHING in the name of IT IS NEEDED.
A. Boys and girls of undergraduate classes shall not ride on Scooties or Mobikes to
the College Rs.500 is the fine, if caught.
B. Girls shall not wear jeans to the college.
c. Boys and girls shall not TALK to each other. A variable issued by a `liberal'
college is that they shall not talk TOO MUCH! [What does that word mean]?
d. Boys and girls of PUC shall not TALK about sports or participate in sports!
e. They shall not participate in TOURNAMENTS unless it is organized by the college
itself [WHICH THE COLLEGE WILL DAMN WELL TRY NOT TO]!
f. SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES are trying to provide EXTENDED STUDY HOURS, well beyond they
should - so that students cannot have ANY OTHER LIFE other than being students.
Parents are willing to spend extra thousands so that their child will stay in the
school or college from 7am to 6pm.
I am sure these FATWAS couldn't have come TO BE - without the active support of the parents. WE ARE ALL OSAMA BIN LADENS - let us make no bones about it. Those who made these rules - and those who are aware of it but DO NOT DO ANYTHING in the name of IT IS NEEDED.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
YENIGADALE - THE BALL WILL BOUNCE AS MY HEART POUNDS!
The call has come from JAWAHAR NAVODAYA VIDYALAYA, YENIGADALE. The children want SUMPOORNA to come and help them learn basketball. I remember the last visit - I WAS MOBBED BY THE STUDENTS [specially GIRLS]. When are you coming - was the chant. I want to get mobbed again - JOIN ME IN A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE OF BEING A COACH WITHOUT BORDERS.
AND in this quest 12 selected children will join me to help sustain the new `love' for basketball that more than two hundred JNVites have developed. A pot-holed road leads to Yenigadale, so remote is the place that few venture here. BUT THERE IS A BASKETBALL COURT HERE - not one BUT TWO. Sumpoorna has travelled to all those who have called - so pick up your phone and dial 98860 20145.
From 2nd July to 4th July, the ball will bounce in JNV, Yenigadale from 7am to 7pm - and my heart will pound louder and louder. I LOVE CHILDREN - I LOVE BASKETBALL; and the only way I want to live for the rest of my life is combining these two. My own communion with God takes place when I play the game - as I hope my students will too one day get a SIMILAR JOY.
Sometimes I surprise myself. I had planned on going to SUMPOORNA and stay alone for a period of two months to rejuvenate myself. IT WAS JULY AND AUGUST - and here comes this invitation for 2nd to 4th July. Whenever there is a call for Basketball learning by children - I shall be there - MY DESTINY IS IN THEIR HANDS.
I have often been asked WHAT IS IT ABOUT BASKETBALL that you like. My answer is very simple - IT IS THE PRAYER OF MY LIFE - IT IS MY EXPRESSION OF JOY - IT IS THE WAY TO FACE THE WORLD. It is a weapon given by God to me - it is my Brahma-Astra.
AND in this quest 12 selected children will join me to help sustain the new `love' for basketball that more than two hundred JNVites have developed. A pot-holed road leads to Yenigadale, so remote is the place that few venture here. BUT THERE IS A BASKETBALL COURT HERE - not one BUT TWO. Sumpoorna has travelled to all those who have called - so pick up your phone and dial 98860 20145.
From 2nd July to 4th July, the ball will bounce in JNV, Yenigadale from 7am to 7pm - and my heart will pound louder and louder. I LOVE CHILDREN - I LOVE BASKETBALL; and the only way I want to live for the rest of my life is combining these two. My own communion with God takes place when I play the game - as I hope my students will too one day get a SIMILAR JOY.
Sometimes I surprise myself. I had planned on going to SUMPOORNA and stay alone for a period of two months to rejuvenate myself. IT WAS JULY AND AUGUST - and here comes this invitation for 2nd to 4th July. Whenever there is a call for Basketball learning by children - I shall be there - MY DESTINY IS IN THEIR HANDS.
I have often been asked WHAT IS IT ABOUT BASKETBALL that you like. My answer is very simple - IT IS THE PRAYER OF MY LIFE - IT IS MY EXPRESSION OF JOY - IT IS THE WAY TO FACE THE WORLD. It is a weapon given by God to me - it is my Brahma-Astra.
Monday, June 14, 2010
SHE RUNS LIKE A GAZELLE - HIS SHOOTING IS MAGIC - SABAL HAS ARRIVED!
I have been subliminally conscious of the fact that sometimes we do not expect the desired results - as a matter of fact, we SURPASS OUR EXPECTATIONS. I have merely set out to give joy to children who want to play and learn basketball. But the by-products of what I am doing is SCREAMING IN MY FACE. The girl who could hardly run - RUNS LIKE A GAZELLE NOW - the boy at whom you wouldn't look twice is SHOOTING BASKETS FROM ALL OVER. And suddenly the realization dawns on me - THESE ARE NO ORDINARY CHILDREN - but even more starkly that we are no more playing basketball - WE ARE LIVING A WAY OF LIFE!
And as these two climb the ladders of success, their associates in the S.A.B.A.L programme are breathing down their necks. The changes I notice are satisfying - yet at the same time leave me shaking my head in despair. WHY DO NOT THE OTHERS UNDERSTAND AND REALIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING A SPORTSMAN? This is the best way to ensure ENDURANCE, DISCIPLINE AND JOY for their whole life. The relationships these children develop are so healthy - the emotional sharing and caring they have for each other is so extra-ordinary YET THIS CAN BE UNDERSTOOD ONLY IF YOU ARE A FULL TIME SPORTS PERSON. Am I right?
As an examiner I am already giving them 101% - what does it matter what percentage they get in their academics. THEY ALREADY KNOW THE JOY OF LIVING A HEALTHY LIFE!
Is it not the duty of any educational system to provide an equal balance between mind and body. THE WOMB OF FUTURE IS IMPREGNATED WITH GREAT POSSIBILITIES - driving thousands and thousands of kilometers I want to reach out to the remotest of the hamlets and villages - where MY GAZELLES and MAGIC SHOOTERS are waiting for me to put up the hoop so that they can shoot! So that they can make their lay-ups, three pointers, drive-ins, screen and rolls, jump shots AND MAYBE A DUNK! So that they can put up poster of MICHAEL JORDAN or MAGIC JHONSON in their rooms and WALK TALL! Why should they be denied the fundamental right enshrined in the UNICEF RIGHTS OF CHILDREN article 7/3 which says The child shall have full opportunity for play and recreation, which should be directed to the same purposes as education; society and the public authorities shall endeavour to promote the enjoyment of this right
A healthy and joyful childhood is the foundation on which we can produce great citizens. The denial could lead to psychological manifestations which are very harmful to the society. As India re-builds its educational system - it is imperative to provide professional sports coaching - and stop giving merely lip sympathy. The future generations must be given their due and merely producing academic freaks isn't the answer. If you are a parent, a teacher or a concerned citizen - remember this, your ignorance is no reason to deny the child his joy and health. I WILL NOT FORGIVE YOU - MY GAZELLE AND MAGIC SHOOTER WILL NOT FORGIVE YOU - INDIA WILL NOT FORGIVE YOU.
And as these two climb the ladders of success, their associates in the S.A.B.A.L programme are breathing down their necks. The changes I notice are satisfying - yet at the same time leave me shaking my head in despair. WHY DO NOT THE OTHERS UNDERSTAND AND REALIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING A SPORTSMAN? This is the best way to ensure ENDURANCE, DISCIPLINE AND JOY for their whole life. The relationships these children develop are so healthy - the emotional sharing and caring they have for each other is so extra-ordinary YET THIS CAN BE UNDERSTOOD ONLY IF YOU ARE A FULL TIME SPORTS PERSON. Am I right?
As an examiner I am already giving them 101% - what does it matter what percentage they get in their academics. THEY ALREADY KNOW THE JOY OF LIVING A HEALTHY LIFE!
Is it not the duty of any educational system to provide an equal balance between mind and body. THE WOMB OF FUTURE IS IMPREGNATED WITH GREAT POSSIBILITIES - driving thousands and thousands of kilometers I want to reach out to the remotest of the hamlets and villages - where MY GAZELLES and MAGIC SHOOTERS are waiting for me to put up the hoop so that they can shoot! So that they can make their lay-ups, three pointers, drive-ins, screen and rolls, jump shots AND MAYBE A DUNK! So that they can put up poster of MICHAEL JORDAN or MAGIC JHONSON in their rooms and WALK TALL! Why should they be denied the fundamental right enshrined in the UNICEF RIGHTS OF CHILDREN article 7/3 which says The child shall have full opportunity for play and recreation, which should be directed to the same purposes as education; society and the public authorities shall endeavour to promote the enjoyment of this right
A healthy and joyful childhood is the foundation on which we can produce great citizens. The denial could lead to psychological manifestations which are very harmful to the society. As India re-builds its educational system - it is imperative to provide professional sports coaching - and stop giving merely lip sympathy. The future generations must be given their due and merely producing academic freaks isn't the answer. If you are a parent, a teacher or a concerned citizen - remember this, your ignorance is no reason to deny the child his joy and health. I WILL NOT FORGIVE YOU - MY GAZELLE AND MAGIC SHOOTER WILL NOT FORGIVE YOU - INDIA WILL NOT FORGIVE YOU.
Friday, June 11, 2010
THE FIFA WORLD CUP 2010 - WHITHER INDIA?
As the extravaganza of the World Cup unravels before our eyes - a sad thought strikes me - WHEN WILL INDIA QUALIFY for such type of tournaments. A nation that has the potential to become a leader is involved in petty squabbles of its officials and federations - power hungry individuals are more worried about `enjoying the fruits' than promoting the game. The blame also lies with the players, the society in which they live and a mindset that is most unsportsmanlike.
Almost 30 years back, when I saw Olympics on TV - I was enjoying the emotions of the winning athletes - and then it struck me - NOT A SINGLE INDIAN winning any medal. Tears had come to my eyes and I as an innocent Indian got involved in sports with a single minded focus of helping the smaller children start off their sports education in a proper way. That I have been able to put many of them on the joyful track of playing sports - is a satisfying thought.
TEARS CAME TO MY EYES as I watched the world cup on TV. But I am much more matured now. I know the reasons why we are unable to qualify for the world cup. It requires a nation to respect its players - it requires our clubs to promote more grass root tournaments - it requires the senior players to go and help school students to learn the basics and enjoy the game. I HAVE ALWAYS HEARD PLAYERS TELLING ME THAT THEY ARE READY TO GIVE BACK TO THE GAME - but very very few actually do it.
It doesn't take much to make a resolve and follow it through for 30 years. I have been doing it - YOU TOO CAN! AND IF YOU DON'T - TEARS WILL FLOW THROUGH MY EYES and those of other sports lovers who believe INDIA CAN! Will you?
Almost 30 years back, when I saw Olympics on TV - I was enjoying the emotions of the winning athletes - and then it struck me - NOT A SINGLE INDIAN winning any medal. Tears had come to my eyes and I as an innocent Indian got involved in sports with a single minded focus of helping the smaller children start off their sports education in a proper way. That I have been able to put many of them on the joyful track of playing sports - is a satisfying thought.
TEARS CAME TO MY EYES as I watched the world cup on TV. But I am much more matured now. I know the reasons why we are unable to qualify for the world cup. It requires a nation to respect its players - it requires our clubs to promote more grass root tournaments - it requires the senior players to go and help school students to learn the basics and enjoy the game. I HAVE ALWAYS HEARD PLAYERS TELLING ME THAT THEY ARE READY TO GIVE BACK TO THE GAME - but very very few actually do it.
It doesn't take much to make a resolve and follow it through for 30 years. I have been doing it - YOU TOO CAN! AND IF YOU DON'T - TEARS WILL FLOW THROUGH MY EYES and those of other sports lovers who believe INDIA CAN! Will you?
Thursday, June 3, 2010
RAISING THE HOOPS - FOR RISING HOPES
Five years back when PROJECT SUMPOORNA - to promote basketball in Tumkur [read rural areas] started - there wasn't much of activity. But suddenly in the last one year, things are happening. A couple of hoops have been raised [basketball courts] but with the rising hopes these would not be enough. More and more children want to play basketball. AND THEY WANT TO LEARN THE GAME!
The crowds at SUMPOORNA are a testimony to this. The whole of last year was HOUSE FULL. We have begun the work to make additional TWO COURTS. But the future is going to be much larger than a few basketball courts. An opportunity exists for basketball promoters like never before. AND THIS KNOWLEDGE CAME TO US - because we are always looking to discover HOOPS in odd places.
When we were invited as AMBASSADORS OF BASKETBALL by Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Yenigadale [Chintamani - 100 Kms from Bangalore] - we suddenly realised the potential of HARDLY BEING USED BASKETBALL COURTS. After that we offered our services to JNV Doddaballapur [40 Km from Bangalore] and Urdigere [70 Kms from Bangalore] - and we were welcomed royally. In 3 day camps - battle lines for tournaments were drawn up. LEARNING BECAME SUPERSONIC - and passions were raised. Children who had never touched the ball - wanted to shoot 3 pointers - wanted to dunk and wanted to ---- do all those things that CRAZY BASKETBALL PLAYERS DO! Their hopes had been raised and now nothing shall stop them from playing basketball.
AND NOW Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan is constructing new residential schools for girls in extremely remote areas - I SEE AN OPPORTUNITY which won't come again. We [SUMPOORNA and NBA] can catalyse this momentum - the pieces are in place. I suggest we use JNV COURTS [which every district has] as the starting places where the children of KASTURBA GANDHI BALIKA VIDYALAYAS can initially be trained. After a 5 day training programme [ in which JNV CHILDREN too can join in] - A HOOP IS RAISED IN THEIR SCHOOL.
AS the programme gets under way, we can then train FIVE STUDENTS from each school at SUMPOORNA campus for learning how to play matches. And then can begin the inter-school which should raise THE HOPES of every school. These five students also become the flag bearers of a basketball revolution never seen before. Support can be provided wherever necessary and a shoe-string budget can raise HOOPS made of local materials.
INDIA can adopt an innovative method of sports promotion. The one thousand crores plus that we will spend on Commonwealth games cannot create such a movement. It would need missionary basketball soldiers to lead - and SUMPOORNA is in the process of creating at least ONE THOUSAND AMBASSADORS of basketball this year. YOU TOO ARE INVITED. I shall raise your hopes as I raise the hoops.
Almost one year back, I had met two representatives of NBA in the office of Director, SPORTS AUTHORITY OF INDIA, BANGALORE and they were worried that not enough infra-structure [INDOOR BASKETBALL COURTS] was in place. And even what was available - was not proper. I think to expect India to put in place similar infrastructure as in USA would be impossible. Let us accept what we have - clay courts, RCC courts and whatsoever - even these are not used. Let us first bring the crowds to these existing courts - and that is possible when children in schools are motivated to play the game.
When I put two wooden shooting boards onto two cement posts [NOBODY KNEW WHY THESE WERE THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE] - a basketball movement began in KORATAGERE [100 Kms from Bangalore]. Hundreds gathered for the training camps. I travelled every week for the next three months to embed the virus of basketball in them. It takes only so much - the gruelling driving that I did during those days are MY GOLDEN MEMORIES.
If a challenge comes again to serve the `children of my nation' and serve `the game of basketball' I shall drive even longer distances with a smile on my lips.
The crowds at SUMPOORNA are a testimony to this. The whole of last year was HOUSE FULL. We have begun the work to make additional TWO COURTS. But the future is going to be much larger than a few basketball courts. An opportunity exists for basketball promoters like never before. AND THIS KNOWLEDGE CAME TO US - because we are always looking to discover HOOPS in odd places.
When we were invited as AMBASSADORS OF BASKETBALL by Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Yenigadale [Chintamani - 100 Kms from Bangalore] - we suddenly realised the potential of HARDLY BEING USED BASKETBALL COURTS. After that we offered our services to JNV Doddaballapur [40 Km from Bangalore] and Urdigere [70 Kms from Bangalore] - and we were welcomed royally. In 3 day camps - battle lines for tournaments were drawn up. LEARNING BECAME SUPERSONIC - and passions were raised. Children who had never touched the ball - wanted to shoot 3 pointers - wanted to dunk and wanted to ---- do all those things that CRAZY BASKETBALL PLAYERS DO! Their hopes had been raised and now nothing shall stop them from playing basketball.
AND NOW Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan is constructing new residential schools for girls in extremely remote areas - I SEE AN OPPORTUNITY which won't come again. We [SUMPOORNA and NBA] can catalyse this momentum - the pieces are in place. I suggest we use JNV COURTS [which every district has] as the starting places where the children of KASTURBA GANDHI BALIKA VIDYALAYAS can initially be trained. After a 5 day training programme [ in which JNV CHILDREN too can join in] - A HOOP IS RAISED IN THEIR SCHOOL.
AS the programme gets under way, we can then train FIVE STUDENTS from each school at SUMPOORNA campus for learning how to play matches. And then can begin the inter-school which should raise THE HOPES of every school. These five students also become the flag bearers of a basketball revolution never seen before. Support can be provided wherever necessary and a shoe-string budget can raise HOOPS made of local materials.
INDIA can adopt an innovative method of sports promotion. The one thousand crores plus that we will spend on Commonwealth games cannot create such a movement. It would need missionary basketball soldiers to lead - and SUMPOORNA is in the process of creating at least ONE THOUSAND AMBASSADORS of basketball this year. YOU TOO ARE INVITED. I shall raise your hopes as I raise the hoops.
Almost one year back, I had met two representatives of NBA in the office of Director, SPORTS AUTHORITY OF INDIA, BANGALORE and they were worried that not enough infra-structure [INDOOR BASKETBALL COURTS] was in place. And even what was available - was not proper. I think to expect India to put in place similar infrastructure as in USA would be impossible. Let us accept what we have - clay courts, RCC courts and whatsoever - even these are not used. Let us first bring the crowds to these existing courts - and that is possible when children in schools are motivated to play the game.
When I put two wooden shooting boards onto two cement posts [NOBODY KNEW WHY THESE WERE THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE] - a basketball movement began in KORATAGERE [100 Kms from Bangalore]. Hundreds gathered for the training camps. I travelled every week for the next three months to embed the virus of basketball in them. It takes only so much - the gruelling driving that I did during those days are MY GOLDEN MEMORIES.
If a challenge comes again to serve the `children of my nation' and serve `the game of basketball' I shall drive even longer distances with a smile on my lips.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
A BLUE-PRINT TO MAKE INDIA A SPORTS GIANT!
Today, our children are unhealthy, have hidden diseases and injuries - which come to the forefront as soon as they enter their middle ages. The quality of life they lead is very very bad. AND IT IS ALL BECAUSE OF MIDDLE CLASS TABOOS - which rule the roost. Every child is expected to become an Engineer, Doctor or etc. etc. The only health sought is financial health - unfortunately, even that is drained by their poor health. THE PLAYGROUND IS FOR FREAKS - normal children are supposed to study and `burn the midnight oil' to get ninety plus percent marks. The golden periods of developing healthy bodies and minds is lost in the pursuit of `money'. SPORTS CULTURE doesn't exist - is not allowed to exist! A nation of coolies - CYBER COOLIES to be precise that doesn't even have the shame to accept the fact that INDIAN SPORTS has a noose around its neck. The parents, the school managements, the sports associations and the players continue to pull at it!
PARENTS are the creatures of a social system - they will accept whatever the environment around them is. Creating the environment - in which sports is held in high esteem isn't difficult. Special privileges are to be provided to the SCHOOL SPORTS TEAMS - who doesn't want to wear the HOUSE OR SCHOOL colours. And when the parents see their wards `lighted up faces' - they then are easier to educate! A sports counsellor [OH MY GOD - DON'T START CALLING YOUR P.T. TEACHER THAT!] could be a `player' or a highly motivated sports promoter who could then work with players and their parents - and maybe go a step further by interacting with the academic teachers too! I have donned the role of sports counsellor in many schools and it is exciting to see parents willing to provide permissions and facilities to their children - after having attended my sessions.
SCHOOL MANAGEMENT too have a very hazy idea of how to develop `sports education' in their schools. They think by paying a very nominal salary to a person who has done his diplomas or graduations in physical education their TASK IS OVER! Their myopic time table is the culprit which has histories and chemistries all over the day and a measly one period sneaked around lunch is the SPORTS PERIOD [this too very grudgingly allotted to fulfill the school norms. AND WHEN I LAND UP IN THEIR PLAYGROUNDS demanding the last two periods of EVERY DAY IN THE WEEK for practice - they almost faint! No, Mr. Mahajan, it is not possible! I ask them to try it out for one month - and after one month they start seeing the possibilities - the joy on the faces of the children, more parents coming to the school to ask about `team selection'. A blue-print to make India a sports giant needs school managements to stand on their toes!
SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS must take the maximum blame. The greed of being in `power' is so much that most of the officials are political animals [like many other things in our country] and it is very difficult for others to interact with them - with the result that many ex-players become full time politicians. It is not SPORTS that they are interested in - it is the GAMES that they play! The mockery of hobli level, taluk level, district level, state level and national level is seen to be believed. 99% of these matches are only for `cosmetic purpose' - completion of which is like a piligrimage to holy places. The unholy nexus of referees, officials, PT teachers has us believe that the `winners' in these levels are the best that India can produce. So what, if most of the players are friends or relatives of some politicians. Many tournaments are conducted with the sole purpose of getting some `benefits' and it brings the ugliness of Indian sports to the forth. I have seen too many - and now I don't go to any. So what is the solution!
CREATE YOUR OWN TOURNAMENTS without any bias. Bring forth the real players - create in them the discipline to excel and develop their skills on a life-time basis. Create `love of the game' without expecting jobs in Banks, Railways or other public sector outfits. Whatever small level it may be - take the first step - the students will enjoy these matches. Having seen the `suffering of my players' at the hands of `fixed' referees I refused to accept their methods. I have never been part of their system - I still refuse to - the bonus is that many coaches pick my players to win matches! The funniest thing is - EVEN MY TEN YEAR OLD can tell now when the referee is not being FAIR!
TAKING PIONEERING STEPS IS VERY HAZARDOUS - everyone gave up on me - I survived a five year wilderness `in coaching' - but now that I am back - I AM BACK with a motive. I have A BLUE-PRINT TO MAKE INDIA A SPORTS GIANT and to that end I shall strive till my last breath!
PARENTS are the creatures of a social system - they will accept whatever the environment around them is. Creating the environment - in which sports is held in high esteem isn't difficult. Special privileges are to be provided to the SCHOOL SPORTS TEAMS - who doesn't want to wear the HOUSE OR SCHOOL colours. And when the parents see their wards `lighted up faces' - they then are easier to educate! A sports counsellor [OH MY GOD - DON'T START CALLING YOUR P.T. TEACHER THAT!] could be a `player' or a highly motivated sports promoter who could then work with players and their parents - and maybe go a step further by interacting with the academic teachers too! I have donned the role of sports counsellor in many schools and it is exciting to see parents willing to provide permissions and facilities to their children - after having attended my sessions.
SCHOOL MANAGEMENT too have a very hazy idea of how to develop `sports education' in their schools. They think by paying a very nominal salary to a person who has done his diplomas or graduations in physical education their TASK IS OVER! Their myopic time table is the culprit which has histories and chemistries all over the day and a measly one period sneaked around lunch is the SPORTS PERIOD [this too very grudgingly allotted to fulfill the school norms. AND WHEN I LAND UP IN THEIR PLAYGROUNDS demanding the last two periods of EVERY DAY IN THE WEEK for practice - they almost faint! No, Mr. Mahajan, it is not possible! I ask them to try it out for one month - and after one month they start seeing the possibilities - the joy on the faces of the children, more parents coming to the school to ask about `team selection'. A blue-print to make India a sports giant needs school managements to stand on their toes!
SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS must take the maximum blame. The greed of being in `power' is so much that most of the officials are political animals [like many other things in our country] and it is very difficult for others to interact with them - with the result that many ex-players become full time politicians. It is not SPORTS that they are interested in - it is the GAMES that they play! The mockery of hobli level, taluk level, district level, state level and national level is seen to be believed. 99% of these matches are only for `cosmetic purpose' - completion of which is like a piligrimage to holy places. The unholy nexus of referees, officials, PT teachers has us believe that the `winners' in these levels are the best that India can produce. So what, if most of the players are friends or relatives of some politicians. Many tournaments are conducted with the sole purpose of getting some `benefits' and it brings the ugliness of Indian sports to the forth. I have seen too many - and now I don't go to any. So what is the solution!
CREATE YOUR OWN TOURNAMENTS without any bias. Bring forth the real players - create in them the discipline to excel and develop their skills on a life-time basis. Create `love of the game' without expecting jobs in Banks, Railways or other public sector outfits. Whatever small level it may be - take the first step - the students will enjoy these matches. Having seen the `suffering of my players' at the hands of `fixed' referees I refused to accept their methods. I have never been part of their system - I still refuse to - the bonus is that many coaches pick my players to win matches! The funniest thing is - EVEN MY TEN YEAR OLD can tell now when the referee is not being FAIR!
TAKING PIONEERING STEPS IS VERY HAZARDOUS - everyone gave up on me - I survived a five year wilderness `in coaching' - but now that I am back - I AM BACK with a motive. I have A BLUE-PRINT TO MAKE INDIA A SPORTS GIANT and to that end I shall strive till my last breath!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
DON'T MEDDLE WITH ME - I CAN STILL WEAVE MAGIC!
Why am I so confident on the basketball court? Who gives me this feeling that I am the lord here. Touched and blessed by thousands of my students - sometimes I weave magic on the court - spectators stop breathing, the opponents just hang up their hands by their sides. IT HAPPENED TODAY AGAIN!
Some senior players were playing when I realized they were playing TWO on THREE. I volunteered to square up the number THREE on THREE. The game went well, the opposition too played very well. Then something happened - I got a steal that went out of play while touching the opposition player. He argued he hadn't touched - WE KNEW HE WAS LYING. I let it go and settled down for the game to continue.
But I do not why I did what I did. I took a three pointer which was good. And the madness began. I gave the check ball and shot another three pointer. I started to realize I was being selfish. But my mind refused my suggestions - I gave another check ball and shot another three pointer. THREE IN A ROW - stupendous. But by then my mind refused to obey me - IT KEPT TELLING - don't be selfish - pass the ball.
But it refused and in went the FOURTH three pointer. Followed by the fifth three pointer. Opposition just died away.
It was just another day. But as I washed up and sat in front of my PC - the words came out DON'T MEDDLE WITH ME - I CAN STILL WEAVE MAGIC.
Some senior players were playing when I realized they were playing TWO on THREE. I volunteered to square up the number THREE on THREE. The game went well, the opposition too played very well. Then something happened - I got a steal that went out of play while touching the opposition player. He argued he hadn't touched - WE KNEW HE WAS LYING. I let it go and settled down for the game to continue.
But I do not why I did what I did. I took a three pointer which was good. And the madness began. I gave the check ball and shot another three pointer. I started to realize I was being selfish. But my mind refused my suggestions - I gave another check ball and shot another three pointer. THREE IN A ROW - stupendous. But by then my mind refused to obey me - IT KEPT TELLING - don't be selfish - pass the ball.
But it refused and in went the FOURTH three pointer. Followed by the fifth three pointer. Opposition just died away.
It was just another day. But as I washed up and sat in front of my PC - the words came out DON'T MEDDLE WITH ME - I CAN STILL WEAVE MAGIC.
Friday, May 7, 2010
FUTURE OF INDIAN SPORTS PERSONS!
Some 15-20 years back, as I took my students for morning sports - I came across a few basketball players who had played for the state at junior level. They had `chosen' sports over academics and as they grew up - they felt that they had been short changed. They weren't able to get into the state team at senior level for `various reasons' and they didn't have a job that could support them.
I was moved by their plight. I approached couple of schools suggesting that they employ them as part time basketball coaches. My persuasive skills and sincerity in purpose helped many of these young players get jobs - which eased their economic pressures to some extent. There were small teething problems which I took care of. My own son went on to coach three schools at the same time and had a fat purse even as he was doing his graduation. IT WAS A WIN-WIN SITUATION!
Today, some of them have shifted to other jobs - while some have continued to prosper as basketball coaches. It was a delight to be able to break the `strangle hold' of qualified and established coaches who never looked beyond their nose and often sat in ivory towers. I had to pay a price for this - I willingly did. A.B.L.E. Academy for Basketball learning and Education - became a bench-mark for many schools. ABLE coaches were respected for their quality and `child friendly' attitudes.
That I was able to help these young basketball players at a most critical phase in their life - I still enjoy the after-glow of their success. They were my sons of basketball - I MISS ALL OF THEM! A.B.L.E. CUP - the marathon basketball tournament was conducted by them in an exemplary way - never to be repeated again. The best talent of UNDER-13 WAS AT DISPLAY - only merit nothing else mattered. That is another story!
As I build S.A.B.A.L - I am thrilled at the opportunity to SERVE THE CAUSE OF BASKETBALL for my country. I have more resources, more stronger resolve and best wishes and blessings of my friends here in India and abroad - especially great friends who are following my `actions' WITH DEEP INTEREST!
I TAKE THIS RESPONSIBILITY OF BUILDING A GOLDEN FUTURE OF THE S.A.B.A.L players - so help me Veer Hanuman!
I was moved by their plight. I approached couple of schools suggesting that they employ them as part time basketball coaches. My persuasive skills and sincerity in purpose helped many of these young players get jobs - which eased their economic pressures to some extent. There were small teething problems which I took care of. My own son went on to coach three schools at the same time and had a fat purse even as he was doing his graduation. IT WAS A WIN-WIN SITUATION!
Today, some of them have shifted to other jobs - while some have continued to prosper as basketball coaches. It was a delight to be able to break the `strangle hold' of qualified and established coaches who never looked beyond their nose and often sat in ivory towers. I had to pay a price for this - I willingly did. A.B.L.E. Academy for Basketball learning and Education - became a bench-mark for many schools. ABLE coaches were respected for their quality and `child friendly' attitudes.
That I was able to help these young basketball players at a most critical phase in their life - I still enjoy the after-glow of their success. They were my sons of basketball - I MISS ALL OF THEM! A.B.L.E. CUP - the marathon basketball tournament was conducted by them in an exemplary way - never to be repeated again. The best talent of UNDER-13 WAS AT DISPLAY - only merit nothing else mattered. That is another story!
As I build S.A.B.A.L - I am thrilled at the opportunity to SERVE THE CAUSE OF BASKETBALL for my country. I have more resources, more stronger resolve and best wishes and blessings of my friends here in India and abroad - especially great friends who are following my `actions' WITH DEEP INTEREST!
I TAKE THIS RESPONSIBILITY OF BUILDING A GOLDEN FUTURE OF THE S.A.B.A.L players - so help me Veer Hanuman!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
WHAT WOULD MOVE YOU? ONLY YOU CAN HELP!
A sudden change in the attitude of your child. Her moves are excited - a `tournament' has been announced and`she' [your eye's jewel]is in the team. All other things are ignored, a new focus has come. Being included in the team means becoming `elite'. DOES IT MOVE YOU?
The match uniform comes - she tries wearing it at every opportunity and the mirror suddenly has a different meaning. The look on her friends' faces when they see her in the uniform - its' like being a `world champion' already. Suddenly becoming Martina Navratilova or P T Usha doesn't seem all that difficult. DOES IT MOVE YOU?
The match day comes - you are forced to cancel so many things or you don't get involved at all. Her beaming face - the mock action of `shooting baskets' in the dining hall - you wonder what's happened. DOES IT MOVE YOU?
In the evening you come home - you see her gloomy look - the uniform discarded on one side - you know their team has lost. There is an accusation in her eyes. You weren't there to cheer her when she needed you the most. DOES IT MOVE YOU?
Luckily another `match' would come along and she will forget her loss and next time when she `wins' her match and talks about it endlessly. DOES IT MOVE YOU?
The match uniform comes - she tries wearing it at every opportunity and the mirror suddenly has a different meaning. The look on her friends' faces when they see her in the uniform - its' like being a `world champion' already. Suddenly becoming Martina Navratilova or P T Usha doesn't seem all that difficult. DOES IT MOVE YOU?
The match day comes - you are forced to cancel so many things or you don't get involved at all. Her beaming face - the mock action of `shooting baskets' in the dining hall - you wonder what's happened. DOES IT MOVE YOU?
In the evening you come home - you see her gloomy look - the uniform discarded on one side - you know their team has lost. There is an accusation in her eyes. You weren't there to cheer her when she needed you the most. DOES IT MOVE YOU?
Luckily another `match' would come along and she will forget her loss and next time when she `wins' her match and talks about it endlessly. DOES IT MOVE YOU?
Sunday, March 21, 2010
WOULD YOU LIKE TO PLAY ONE HUNDRED BASKETBALL MATCHES IN A YEAR?
THIS IS FOR BASKETBALL CRAZY GUYS ONLY! S.A.B.A.L 2010-11 MEANING SUMPOORNA ANNUAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE, will give you an opportunity to play one hundred or more matches within one year. An opportunity of a life-time - don't miss it!
ONLY FORTY BOYS AND FORTY GIRLS aged below 15 years [born on or after 1-6-1995] would be selected. Registration forms are being issued to all those who are interested. We have already requested the schools to put our `notice' on the notice board. All our basketball players and associates are already spreading the `news'. If you have still not heard about us - CALL ME ON 98860 20145 at the earliest. Or come and meet me at V.S.C. BASKETBALL COURTS between 5pm to 6pm [but do call first].
An opportunity to become a SUPER-STAR! Don't tell us later that NO-ONE TOLD ME!
ONLY FORTY BOYS AND FORTY GIRLS aged below 15 years [born on or after 1-6-1995] would be selected. Registration forms are being issued to all those who are interested. We have already requested the schools to put our `notice' on the notice board. All our basketball players and associates are already spreading the `news'. If you have still not heard about us - CALL ME ON 98860 20145 at the earliest. Or come and meet me at V.S.C. BASKETBALL COURTS between 5pm to 6pm [but do call first].
An opportunity to become a SUPER-STAR! Don't tell us later that NO-ONE TOLD ME!
Friday, March 19, 2010
INDIA DOESN'T LISTEN TO ME - I SHALL YET MAKE MORE NOISE!
It is very strange. I have made so much noise - noise that should have opened deaf ears - noise that should have permeated the soul of every Indian. But India doesn't listen to me. I SHALL YET MAKE MORE NOISE!
CHILDREN MUST PLAY! I MAKE THEM PLAY - I MAXIMISE THEIR JOY THROUGH THE GAME OF BASKETBALL. But no one comes and stand alongside me. The thousands of students that I have had - students who today are well off in their age and purse. The thousands of friends that I have talked to - who are very appreciative of what I am doing but do not send their children to the play ground.
Millions of children are denied the opportunity to play an extra-ordinary game because of the pathetic attitude of those WHO CAN PROVIDE IT. They are more worried about their `pegs of life' - their attendance at all the well visited resorts - for them THEY EXIST! Tell me how many parents are ready to get up early in the morning and go with their sons and daughters to a playground.
Another round of vacations begins - I am struggling to find volunteers for my camps. Those who can - DON'T HAVE THE TIME OR THE INCLINATION. INDIA DOESN'T LISTEN TO ME.
The deaf ears don't hear me - I SHALL YET MAKE MORE NOISE!
CHILDREN MUST PLAY! I MAKE THEM PLAY - I MAXIMISE THEIR JOY THROUGH THE GAME OF BASKETBALL. But no one comes and stand alongside me. The thousands of students that I have had - students who today are well off in their age and purse. The thousands of friends that I have talked to - who are very appreciative of what I am doing but do not send their children to the play ground.
Millions of children are denied the opportunity to play an extra-ordinary game because of the pathetic attitude of those WHO CAN PROVIDE IT. They are more worried about their `pegs of life' - their attendance at all the well visited resorts - for them THEY EXIST! Tell me how many parents are ready to get up early in the morning and go with their sons and daughters to a playground.
Another round of vacations begins - I am struggling to find volunteers for my camps. Those who can - DON'T HAVE THE TIME OR THE INCLINATION. INDIA DOESN'T LISTEN TO ME.
The deaf ears don't hear me - I SHALL YET MAKE MORE NOISE!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
I COME TO THE BASKETBALL COURT AND YOU ARE NOT THERE!
I came to the basketball court
And you were not there!
Did you forget or don't you like the game
Or do you want to sit with others
Watching silly IPL matches
And eating junk food
I came to the basketball court
And you were not there!
Have you forgotten the rhythms
Of playing one on one
Or the pushing and shoving
That bares our souls to each other
I came to the basketball court
And you were not there!
Did you forget the `fake' of fakes
Which left me wrong-footed
Standing, gaping at the awesome
Simple shot that you made
I came to the basketball court
And you were not there!
How can you leave me lonely
Dribbling alone and hoping
Hoping that you will come
And I then can exult in joy
I came to the basketball court
And you were not there!
Remember, we vowed to play
To bring out the best in each other
To be always in the opposite team
And yet remain best of friends
I came to the basketball court
And you were not there!
I know there are other things
I know you can't live on basketball alone
I KNOW - I KNOW - YET I WANT YOU ON THE COURT
I come to the basketball court
Hoping you will come!
And you were not there!
Did you forget or don't you like the game
Or do you want to sit with others
Watching silly IPL matches
And eating junk food
I came to the basketball court
And you were not there!
Have you forgotten the rhythms
Of playing one on one
Or the pushing and shoving
That bares our souls to each other
I came to the basketball court
And you were not there!
Did you forget the `fake' of fakes
Which left me wrong-footed
Standing, gaping at the awesome
Simple shot that you made
I came to the basketball court
And you were not there!
How can you leave me lonely
Dribbling alone and hoping
Hoping that you will come
And I then can exult in joy
I came to the basketball court
And you were not there!
Remember, we vowed to play
To bring out the best in each other
To be always in the opposite team
And yet remain best of friends
I came to the basketball court
And you were not there!
I know there are other things
I know you can't live on basketball alone
I KNOW - I KNOW - YET I WANT YOU ON THE COURT
I come to the basketball court
Hoping you will come!
Friday, March 12, 2010
YOU CANNOT IMAGINE THE SORROWS THAT I HAVE LIVED WITH!
I never thought I would do it. But I finally caught up with my sorrows or rather the sorrows caught up with me - after I listened to Mirza Ghalib's ghazals. The depth of pain is so extreme that I do not want to trivialize it by discussing it with any one.
Miseries surround us - imaginary likes and dislikes shape our lives. Contempt is all prevalent - yet pasted smiles try to create big lies.
I saw the world was unjust, merciless and cared too hoots about me - me, Subhash Mahajan. I wouldn't be a part of it. I would allow the predators to bite at my flesh and soul - but I wouldn't be like it. I would be just, compassionate and caring - like a lonely tree in the desert. It didn't happen overnight - I failed many times. I was called a `fool' a `freak' - I treated them like medals.
BUT THE SORROW REMAINS. It is deeply embedded in my psyche - I haven't forgiven the world. I wrote poetry to heal my wounds and the kings of sorrow - Shiv Kumar Batalvi, Mirza Ghalib became my beacons. I wrote in pain about the `joys of living'.
As I see a child struggling for his or her place in this world - my heart bleeds! I took up the game of basketball so that I could share their victories and failures - and in it I found the `healing of my wounds'. But let me declare to you - what we have created is an `evil' - it isn't what the world should be. It isn't what humanity was intended for. In Guru dutt's film the hero says `Hata lo - Hata lo - yey duniya mere saamne se hata lo [take this world away from me].
My son told me `But Papa, what can one person do' - whether he can or not is the issue, Son, I told him. The issue is whether I have the `guts' and `character' to take a stand - no matter what the odds. From the depths of my sorrow was born a resolve to fight - to fight the battle of my life. To live justly, caringly and compassionately. I have thrown away all the emotional baggages - broken all rules which cause miseries - yet I retain my sorrows.
MY SORROWS are mine!
Miseries surround us - imaginary likes and dislikes shape our lives. Contempt is all prevalent - yet pasted smiles try to create big lies.
I saw the world was unjust, merciless and cared too hoots about me - me, Subhash Mahajan. I wouldn't be a part of it. I would allow the predators to bite at my flesh and soul - but I wouldn't be like it. I would be just, compassionate and caring - like a lonely tree in the desert. It didn't happen overnight - I failed many times. I was called a `fool' a `freak' - I treated them like medals.
BUT THE SORROW REMAINS. It is deeply embedded in my psyche - I haven't forgiven the world. I wrote poetry to heal my wounds and the kings of sorrow - Shiv Kumar Batalvi, Mirza Ghalib became my beacons. I wrote in pain about the `joys of living'.
As I see a child struggling for his or her place in this world - my heart bleeds! I took up the game of basketball so that I could share their victories and failures - and in it I found the `healing of my wounds'. But let me declare to you - what we have created is an `evil' - it isn't what the world should be. It isn't what humanity was intended for. In Guru dutt's film the hero says `Hata lo - Hata lo - yey duniya mere saamne se hata lo [take this world away from me].
My son told me `But Papa, what can one person do' - whether he can or not is the issue, Son, I told him. The issue is whether I have the `guts' and `character' to take a stand - no matter what the odds. From the depths of my sorrow was born a resolve to fight - to fight the battle of my life. To live justly, caringly and compassionately. I have thrown away all the emotional baggages - broken all rules which cause miseries - yet I retain my sorrows.
MY SORROWS are mine!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
GANDHI WAS THROWN OUT OF `WHITES ONLY' RAILWAY BOGEY - I AND MY STUDENTS WERE THROWN OUT OF BASKETBALL COURTS FOR `CLUB MEMBERS' ONLY!
The last thing I want is to be compared to Mahatma Gandhi. He is the father of the nation - I am his ardent follower and inspired by his philosophy. We all know how he was thrown out of a first class compartment in South Africa. The incident transformed him - rather than brooding about it - he set out on a historic journey to see that racism was destroyed. The struggle continues in various shapes and forms even now.
For 25 years, I have got up in the morning to give `sports lessons' to my students in different play grounds. We were never sure whether we will get the `grounds'. The playgrounds were littered with stones [left overs as wickets] of previous evenings, dog shits and maybe broken bottles of previous night revelry by hooligans of the area. In such an environment, we first cleaned the ground everyday and then played. In the midst of our exercising, cricketers again appeared and put their stone wickets in the middle of our `football' game. My request that small children too needed space fell on deaf ears. Seeing that this was a chronic problem, we shifted to a basketball court with all sorts of `innovative games'.
Till we entered there, it was as silent as a graveyard. But then as my students increased in numbers - national and international players - state and district level players, started feeling upset. Who is this man, who brings a hundred children to the basketball court? I was given the dirtiest stares and a stomach burn began. That we cleaned the court - that we behaved in a disciplined way - that we stopped our game as soon as basketball players entered the court - it meant nothing. We were not welcome. I was told to leave.
We shifted to another basketball court - we were asked to leave. We went to another one and our balls were punctured. Gandhi had been thrown out once - I with my pack of students were thrown out a dozen times. I shall have one day have my own ground - I dreamt. The people who threw me out laughed at my dreams. But I finally achieved it. PROJECT SUMPOORNA is my battle cry - No more I will be thrown out - and my students shall have unfettered access. Basketball loving children from anywhere in the world can come and live here - play basketball for as long as they want to - and need not PAY FOR ANYTHING. The only payment is love for the game and the highest discipline.
Many of my ORKUT and FACEBOOK friends have now started visiting SUMPOORNA. One of them aptly said `THIS IS HEAVEN' for basketball children. A few said, we want to come and serve these children - by doing it - we would be serving India. One lady basketball coach says YOU CALL ME FOR ANYTHING FOR SUMPOORNA - and we are hoping a girl from Srinagar makes it to our camps. The `journey' has just begun - JOIN US!
You, your children deserve to play.
For 25 years, I have got up in the morning to give `sports lessons' to my students in different play grounds. We were never sure whether we will get the `grounds'. The playgrounds were littered with stones [left overs as wickets] of previous evenings, dog shits and maybe broken bottles of previous night revelry by hooligans of the area. In such an environment, we first cleaned the ground everyday and then played. In the midst of our exercising, cricketers again appeared and put their stone wickets in the middle of our `football' game. My request that small children too needed space fell on deaf ears. Seeing that this was a chronic problem, we shifted to a basketball court with all sorts of `innovative games'.
Till we entered there, it was as silent as a graveyard. But then as my students increased in numbers - national and international players - state and district level players, started feeling upset. Who is this man, who brings a hundred children to the basketball court? I was given the dirtiest stares and a stomach burn began. That we cleaned the court - that we behaved in a disciplined way - that we stopped our game as soon as basketball players entered the court - it meant nothing. We were not welcome. I was told to leave.
We shifted to another basketball court - we were asked to leave. We went to another one and our balls were punctured. Gandhi had been thrown out once - I with my pack of students were thrown out a dozen times. I shall have one day have my own ground - I dreamt. The people who threw me out laughed at my dreams. But I finally achieved it. PROJECT SUMPOORNA is my battle cry - No more I will be thrown out - and my students shall have unfettered access. Basketball loving children from anywhere in the world can come and live here - play basketball for as long as they want to - and need not PAY FOR ANYTHING. The only payment is love for the game and the highest discipline.
Many of my ORKUT and FACEBOOK friends have now started visiting SUMPOORNA. One of them aptly said `THIS IS HEAVEN' for basketball children. A few said, we want to come and serve these children - by doing it - we would be serving India. One lady basketball coach says YOU CALL ME FOR ANYTHING FOR SUMPOORNA - and we are hoping a girl from Srinagar makes it to our camps. The `journey' has just begun - JOIN US!
You, your children deserve to play.
Monday, March 1, 2010
THE JOURNEY OF A WORLD CHAMPION! LET US BEGIN.
I have read the biographies of world champions and realize how easy it is to become one. If you START EARLY - begin when you are very very young - RETAIN YOUR FOCUS - follow a disciplined regime in your life - ALWAYS ASPIRE TO GO BEYOND - not to be satisfied with medals, cups or certificates and be a competitor to your own self.
I have been working with young children for a great number of years and many of them have succeeded to a limited extent. Some, among them, had the potential to go all the way to super stardom. That, they didn't, is because they couldn't imbibe the traits needed for that achievement. Call it fate, call it ignorance - call it by any name; yet it remains a fact that had they gone on guided properly - they could have become world champions.
I, by myself, cannot create world champions. I can only sow the seeds of such achievement. Beginning this year, I shall, focus on to a few students - who have the potential, parental support and motivate them to a journey towards world championship. I shall interact with them in such a way - so that these children
could become role models among their contemporaries and ACHIEVERS OF EXCELLENCE in a way not done before. But the first call should come from them or their parents.
Your journey of becoming a world champion can begin - call me on 98860 20145.
I have been working with young children for a great number of years and many of them have succeeded to a limited extent. Some, among them, had the potential to go all the way to super stardom. That, they didn't, is because they couldn't imbibe the traits needed for that achievement. Call it fate, call it ignorance - call it by any name; yet it remains a fact that had they gone on guided properly - they could have become world champions.
I, by myself, cannot create world champions. I can only sow the seeds of such achievement. Beginning this year, I shall, focus on to a few students - who have the potential, parental support and motivate them to a journey towards world championship. I shall interact with them in such a way - so that these children
could become role models among their contemporaries and ACHIEVERS OF EXCELLENCE in a way not done before. But the first call should come from them or their parents.
Your journey of becoming a world champion can begin - call me on 98860 20145.
I CAN HELP YOU - I KNOW I CAN - BUT DO YOU THINK I CAN?
Having been involved with `sports students' for a couple of decades now - I often ask myself the question - what was the difference between those WHO ACHIEVED and those WHO DIDN'T. The answer has always been `attitude'. Ask any parent, teacher or a senior - they will agree. It is your approach that would ultimately decide how easy or difficult your SUCCESS would be.
I KNOW I CAN HELP YOU - I KNOW I CAN - BUT DO YOU THINK I CAN.
Read this sentence a couple of times. Try to understand the underlying message. These are not mere words - there is a tremendous desire on the part of the person saying this. A teacher's greatest obstacle in `communicating' is the MENTAL BLOCKS the students develop as they acquire knowledge. When the student himself is not sure whether the teacher can HELP HIM or not - even the best teacher cannot. The pre-requisite to any learning implies ABSOLUTE CONVICTION in the ability of the teacher. The greater the conviction the faster the learning.
I KNOW I CAN HELP YOU - I KNOW I CAN - BUT DO YOU THINK I CAN.
A teacher who believes in giving his best - needs students who can bring out his best. So there is a symbiotic relationship that sustains THE QUEST FOR LEARNING.
A few decades back even post graduate students were totally OBEDIENT - today we have very young students ridiculing their teachers. In the long run, they end up ridiculing themselves. The premise of learning is changing rapidly. The students and teachers are evolving new equations. LEARNING - REAL LEARNING - is a fatality here. It is in this scenario I proclaim that a teacher's anthem should be:
I KNOW I CAN HELP YOU - I KNOW I CAN - BUT I SHALL HELP ONLY IF YOU THINK I CAN!
I KNOW I CAN HELP YOU - I KNOW I CAN - BUT DO YOU THINK I CAN.
Read this sentence a couple of times. Try to understand the underlying message. These are not mere words - there is a tremendous desire on the part of the person saying this. A teacher's greatest obstacle in `communicating' is the MENTAL BLOCKS the students develop as they acquire knowledge. When the student himself is not sure whether the teacher can HELP HIM or not - even the best teacher cannot. The pre-requisite to any learning implies ABSOLUTE CONVICTION in the ability of the teacher. The greater the conviction the faster the learning.
I KNOW I CAN HELP YOU - I KNOW I CAN - BUT DO YOU THINK I CAN.
A teacher who believes in giving his best - needs students who can bring out his best. So there is a symbiotic relationship that sustains THE QUEST FOR LEARNING.
A few decades back even post graduate students were totally OBEDIENT - today we have very young students ridiculing their teachers. In the long run, they end up ridiculing themselves. The premise of learning is changing rapidly. The students and teachers are evolving new equations. LEARNING - REAL LEARNING - is a fatality here. It is in this scenario I proclaim that a teacher's anthem should be:
I KNOW I CAN HELP YOU - I KNOW I CAN - BUT I SHALL HELP ONLY IF YOU THINK I CAN!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
NOW THAT YOU ARE FLYING - TAKE THE BALL AND DUNK!
Children become lazy during holidays - they watch TV at odd hours late in the night - and get up late in the afternoons. Some of them who join summer camps learn to get up early in the morning - to motivate those who don't I wrote the following words:
YOU ARE LYING DOWN
I WANT YOU TO SIT UP
NOW THAT YOU ARE SITTING
I WANT YOU TO STAND UP
NOW THAT YOU ARE STANDING
I WANT YOU TO WALK
NOW THAT YOU ARE WALKING
I WANT YOU TO RUN
NOW THAT YOU ARE RUNNING
I WANT YOU TO FLY
NOW THAT YOU ARE FLYING
TAKE THE BALL AND DUNK!
YOU ARE LYING DOWN
I WANT YOU TO SIT UP
NOW THAT YOU ARE SITTING
I WANT YOU TO STAND UP
NOW THAT YOU ARE STANDING
I WANT YOU TO WALK
NOW THAT YOU ARE WALKING
I WANT YOU TO RUN
NOW THAT YOU ARE RUNNING
I WANT YOU TO FLY
NOW THAT YOU ARE FLYING
TAKE THE BALL AND DUNK!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
TAKE A LITMUS TEST! WHO IS BENEFITING FROM YOUR WORK? ARE YOU?
Just a few years ago, the job market went haywire - established organizations paid pea-nuts compared to the `large salaries' that new upstart companies of IT revolution paid. BPOs paid astronomical salaries for people who hardly merited a second glance as far as their qualifications were concerned.
AS THE MONEY CAME IN - AND THE JOB HOURS LEFT MENTAL AND PHYSICAL SCARS on the youth of our country - I kept thinking that something terrible had taken place. The first casualty was LOSS OF RESPECT for our elders. The very people who had financed their education and upbringing were victims of this thought `WHAT YOU COULDN'T EARN IN YOUR WHOLE LIFE-TIME- I EARN THAT MUCH IN A YEAR! This loss of respect was ignored by the victims too - for they too benefited in a `material' sense. But this benefit was short lived. The cultural heritage suffered enormously - girls could work in the nights - could stay over with friends during weekends - could `do' all that boys were doing. EQUALITY - even when not wanted.
The `peer pressure' came from all sides even though their own conscience didn't exactly agree. When all are blind, where is the necessity to see. The parents proudly told their nears and dears about the `modernization' of their children - the `imported' crazy society had finally found a way to be `FOREIGN'. Money earned was spent on artificially created desires - and in a very short time the `large' salaries started looking `small'.
The psychological make up of these zombies is bizarre. They are supposed to be the cream of our intelligentsia - YET THEY KNOW NOT THIS - WHO BENEFITS FROM THEIR WORK!
Our nation has suffered two thousand years of slavery - people had to travel to India to make them slaves. Now we go abroad to become cyber-slaves. The world's richest heritage has been torn to shreds - to be replaced by `zombies' living in concrete and glass caves.
I walked with my father to a garden near our home - with a fistful of grains to be given to ants. He explained to me that it was important to feed them because then our departed ancestors would not go hungry. IT WAS A LESSON THAT I HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN.
Here, we two were trying to see that the BENEFIT OF OUR ACT reached our long dead ancestors - and I reflect this with today's culture of ME - ME - ME!
Take a litmus test. See, who benefits from your actions - you will be surprised to know that EVEN YOU YOURSELF DO NOT BENEFIT from your own actions - because you compete in a never ending rat race that has no finishing line.
You study because you want a job - you want a job because you need money - you need money because you want to live in style - you want to live in style BECAUSE YOU SEE OTHERS LIVE IN STYLE. Living in style ?????? And all the time the bar is being raised. So even when you are `reaching higher levels' - there is always another higher level. And what happens when you step off the highest point - YOU FALL TO THE BOTTOM or still worse YOU GO STRAIGHT UP!
TAKE A LITMUS TEST TODAY! ASK YOURSELF WHAT HAVE YOU RETURNED TO THE SOCIETY - which has given so much to you. What have you given to the parents that nurtured you - what have you given to the school that educated you - the friends that taught you the meaning of friendship - the locality that you grew up in - the country that gave you an opportunity to be its citizen.
AS THE MONEY CAME IN - AND THE JOB HOURS LEFT MENTAL AND PHYSICAL SCARS on the youth of our country - I kept thinking that something terrible had taken place. The first casualty was LOSS OF RESPECT for our elders. The very people who had financed their education and upbringing were victims of this thought `WHAT YOU COULDN'T EARN IN YOUR WHOLE LIFE-TIME- I EARN THAT MUCH IN A YEAR! This loss of respect was ignored by the victims too - for they too benefited in a `material' sense. But this benefit was short lived. The cultural heritage suffered enormously - girls could work in the nights - could stay over with friends during weekends - could `do' all that boys were doing. EQUALITY - even when not wanted.
The `peer pressure' came from all sides even though their own conscience didn't exactly agree. When all are blind, where is the necessity to see. The parents proudly told their nears and dears about the `modernization' of their children - the `imported' crazy society had finally found a way to be `FOREIGN'. Money earned was spent on artificially created desires - and in a very short time the `large' salaries started looking `small'.
The psychological make up of these zombies is bizarre. They are supposed to be the cream of our intelligentsia - YET THEY KNOW NOT THIS - WHO BENEFITS FROM THEIR WORK!
Our nation has suffered two thousand years of slavery - people had to travel to India to make them slaves. Now we go abroad to become cyber-slaves. The world's richest heritage has been torn to shreds - to be replaced by `zombies' living in concrete and glass caves.
I walked with my father to a garden near our home - with a fistful of grains to be given to ants. He explained to me that it was important to feed them because then our departed ancestors would not go hungry. IT WAS A LESSON THAT I HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN.
Here, we two were trying to see that the BENEFIT OF OUR ACT reached our long dead ancestors - and I reflect this with today's culture of ME - ME - ME!
Take a litmus test. See, who benefits from your actions - you will be surprised to know that EVEN YOU YOURSELF DO NOT BENEFIT from your own actions - because you compete in a never ending rat race that has no finishing line.
You study because you want a job - you want a job because you need money - you need money because you want to live in style - you want to live in style BECAUSE YOU SEE OTHERS LIVE IN STYLE. Living in style ?????? And all the time the bar is being raised. So even when you are `reaching higher levels' - there is always another higher level. And what happens when you step off the highest point - YOU FALL TO THE BOTTOM or still worse YOU GO STRAIGHT UP!
TAKE A LITMUS TEST TODAY! ASK YOURSELF WHAT HAVE YOU RETURNED TO THE SOCIETY - which has given so much to you. What have you given to the parents that nurtured you - what have you given to the school that educated you - the friends that taught you the meaning of friendship - the locality that you grew up in - the country that gave you an opportunity to be its citizen.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
IT IS TIME! TO BEGIN THE MARATHON JOURNEY! WANNA COME ALONG!
I shall venture on this marathon journey - blessed by my parents, friendly gestures by my friends and loved by my students. This journey is as much inward as much as it is outward. I shall carry the shooting post and the basketballs to small villages - maybe even hamlets that don't find their names on maps. I shall teach children {and others] to hold THE BALL, to dribble it and shoot it from impossible angles. I SHALL GO WHERE I AM CALLED and even where I am not. I shall promote basketball and a way of living that I have lived for the last 56 years. I SHALL NOT GIVE AN INCH IN THIS EFFORT and I am not expecting any pats on the back. IT IS TIME!
I have loved journies but this one is different. I want to share the fulfillment that I have got from my life and what better way than teaching the `divine dance' of a basketball player. Every time I hold the ball and enter the court a surreal joy pervades my soul. The God within me comes out and walks along with me. It is a bliss that I want every child of my country to have. I want to give them the values that I have imbibed while playing this game - gentle yet ferocious; smiling yet serious; giving while taking; friendly yet competitive - to bring the best out of myself and my opponent. I have never won from a lesser player - I have never given less than 200% to a better player - and even in losing I have won! This game has taught me compassion and kindness - IT HAS MADE ME HUMAN, in real terms. As I see values taking a nose-dive; as I see erosion of being humans - I embark on a MARATHON JOURNEY. It is for me as much as for the children that I wish to teach.
I have been admired by my colleagues - loved by my students - and this has made me believe that I have what is needed to be a good coach and a teacher. They were the ones who brought up `the best' in me. As I move away from them - I beckon them - COME ALONG!
I have loved journies but this one is different. I want to share the fulfillment that I have got from my life and what better way than teaching the `divine dance' of a basketball player. Every time I hold the ball and enter the court a surreal joy pervades my soul. The God within me comes out and walks along with me. It is a bliss that I want every child of my country to have. I want to give them the values that I have imbibed while playing this game - gentle yet ferocious; smiling yet serious; giving while taking; friendly yet competitive - to bring the best out of myself and my opponent. I have never won from a lesser player - I have never given less than 200% to a better player - and even in losing I have won! This game has taught me compassion and kindness - IT HAS MADE ME HUMAN, in real terms. As I see values taking a nose-dive; as I see erosion of being humans - I embark on a MARATHON JOURNEY. It is for me as much as for the children that I wish to teach.
I have been admired by my colleagues - loved by my students - and this has made me believe that I have what is needed to be a good coach and a teacher. They were the ones who brought up `the best' in me. As I move away from them - I beckon them - COME ALONG!
Monday, February 22, 2010
THE URGES ARE DEAD! NIRVANA HAS ARRIVED!
It has been a long journey - a journey that had no set paths. It was an exploration of my inner self. It wasn't easy - it wasn't meant to be. Now even the most difficult environments give me a wry smile. NOW I CAN TAKE IT!
The knowledge that I HAVE ARRIVED is very fulfilling. The desire to `give' or `take' is also dead. I shall do WHATEVER IS MOST ESSENTIAL and I shall discard all other actions. I also have a hope that one day I will not need to do anything at all, other than just move the body and use the mind in deep introspection.
I WANTED TO LIVE FULLY - I am sure I have lived it. I shall now act the role of being SUBHASH MAHAJAN. But I won't be myself. I shall not go anywhere - it is time to be everywhere. I shall be neutral in my emotions - I shall accept no joys nor any pain.
My detachment will move towards completion. Nirvana has arrived - my urges are dead!
The knowledge that I HAVE ARRIVED is very fulfilling. The desire to `give' or `take' is also dead. I shall do WHATEVER IS MOST ESSENTIAL and I shall discard all other actions. I also have a hope that one day I will not need to do anything at all, other than just move the body and use the mind in deep introspection.
I WANTED TO LIVE FULLY - I am sure I have lived it. I shall now act the role of being SUBHASH MAHAJAN. But I won't be myself. I shall not go anywhere - it is time to be everywhere. I shall be neutral in my emotions - I shall accept no joys nor any pain.
My detachment will move towards completion. Nirvana has arrived - my urges are dead!
I THINK IT IS TIME TO QUIT FACEBOOK AND ORKUT
Yesterday on 21th February, a momentous act took place. The installation of Vir Hanuman statue at SUMPOORNA was completed amidst almost two hundred people. As I returned to Bangalore - I was fulfilled with the `deepest joy' I have experienced in my life. My family, my colleagues in Optus, my basketball students and few friends participated in this function - and as I saw this gathering the thought came to me that I HAVE ACHIEVED WHATEVER I WANTED TO ACHIEVE in my life.
SO,WHY I WANT TO QUIT FACEBOOK AND ORKUT? I donot have the urge to `give' or `take' anything from anyone now. I joined these two to give me a forum to `release' my urges of wanting to do something for the young generation that visited these sites. The responses to my messages were always `trivial' - the desire to be meaningful automatically got reduced. I expected interaction - introspection - critical dialogue - I got none. I didn't like `virtual' responses. I donot want to be VIRTUAL.
Already, some of the responses I am getting are adding up. But my decision is based on my personal requirements. I intended to utilise my `internet' time for it to be useful to me. IT DIDN'T SERVE THAT PURPOSE. Writing my blogs would continue - those who want to interact or journey along are welcome to correspond through e-mail. I have not liked CHATTING too. We assume too much about each other - and we discard and accept friendships at a click of a button. We post beautiful photographs of ourselves - but I see no beauty. For a time, I wanted to make only girls as my friends - AND I SAW MYSELF AS A PREDATOR. Very easily, I saw the futility of such predatory action. Hunting a girl in real life is so much better. Not that I am a hunter. Virtual relationships have `no meaning' - my personal relationships are so much more meaningful.
There have been occasions when I thought of quitting - but I was like an addict. My de-addiction has taken place. Most of my students donot have access to computers. Those few, who have, are the ones I meet in the ground every day. So there is no need for these two forums for this purpose.
MAYBE, some day I will come back. Right now I am saying goodbye to FACEBOOK and ORKUT. For those who want to continue a meaningful relationship please use e-mail which I find much more meaningful. Mine is optus.blore@gmail.com.
SO,WHY I WANT TO QUIT FACEBOOK AND ORKUT? I donot have the urge to `give' or `take' anything from anyone now. I joined these two to give me a forum to `release' my urges of wanting to do something for the young generation that visited these sites. The responses to my messages were always `trivial' - the desire to be meaningful automatically got reduced. I expected interaction - introspection - critical dialogue - I got none. I didn't like `virtual' responses. I donot want to be VIRTUAL.
Already, some of the responses I am getting are adding up. But my decision is based on my personal requirements. I intended to utilise my `internet' time for it to be useful to me. IT DIDN'T SERVE THAT PURPOSE. Writing my blogs would continue - those who want to interact or journey along are welcome to correspond through e-mail. I have not liked CHATTING too. We assume too much about each other - and we discard and accept friendships at a click of a button. We post beautiful photographs of ourselves - but I see no beauty. For a time, I wanted to make only girls as my friends - AND I SAW MYSELF AS A PREDATOR. Very easily, I saw the futility of such predatory action. Hunting a girl in real life is so much better. Not that I am a hunter. Virtual relationships have `no meaning' - my personal relationships are so much more meaningful.
There have been occasions when I thought of quitting - but I was like an addict. My de-addiction has taken place. Most of my students donot have access to computers. Those few, who have, are the ones I meet in the ground every day. So there is no need for these two forums for this purpose.
MAYBE, some day I will come back. Right now I am saying goodbye to FACEBOOK and ORKUT. For those who want to continue a meaningful relationship please use e-mail which I find much more meaningful. Mine is optus.blore@gmail.com.
Monday, February 15, 2010
VIR HANUMAN TEMPLE AT SUMPOORNA - IDEAL ROLE MODEL FOR CHILDREN
When I set out to establish India's first residential rural basketball school at SUMPOORNA - I was able to play a `ROLE MODEL' to my young children students. Now I am growing older - the students look beyond me to get inspiration. They are also growing more wiser and stronger. So I look back at my childhood and remember the KUSHTI AKAHADAS where junior and senior wrestlers use to exercise. They were the gyms during those days. And in almost all the places - the inspiring ROLE MODEL was VIR HANUMAN.
So, as most of our SUMPOORNA students have evolved very high degree of discipline - it is time to give them the ideal role model - an entity that identifies itself with traditional Indian sports as also children.
SO I GIVE YOU THIS TEMPLE OF VIR HANUMAN. May HE bless with you character, wisdom and fulfill all your dreams. That my parents are here to help install the GOD's STATUE - is a great blessing for me personally and my family. COME JOIN ME ON ANY ONE OF THE DAYS AT SUMPOORNA - 19th - 20th or 21st Feburary - AND GET BLESSED! SUBHASH MAHAJAN - 98860 20145 - optus.blore@gmail.com
So, as most of our SUMPOORNA students have evolved very high degree of discipline - it is time to give them the ideal role model - an entity that identifies itself with traditional Indian sports as also children.
SO I GIVE YOU THIS TEMPLE OF VIR HANUMAN. May HE bless with you character, wisdom and fulfill all your dreams. That my parents are here to help install the GOD's STATUE - is a great blessing for me personally and my family. COME JOIN ME ON ANY ONE OF THE DAYS AT SUMPOORNA - 19th - 20th or 21st Feburary - AND GET BLESSED! SUBHASH MAHAJAN - 98860 20145 - optus.blore@gmail.com
Sunday, February 7, 2010
I WANT TO SEE BASKETBALL POST IN EVERY VILLAGE OF INDIA!
I belong to a generation when the game was GOLI or GULLI DANDA. We played with rare passion - it was no holds barred `concentration' of the highest order. And as we developed extra- ordinary mental and physical faculties - we found to our surprise that we excelled in everything we took up! It wasn't `games' for us - it was a WAY TO LIVE!
Today I LIVE to play basketball and play basketball to LIVE [joyfully}!
I want to give this joy to every Indian CHILD. I want to see a basketball post in every village. My roots are firmly in the rural India. Today, I live 90 Kms away from Bangalore in a remote village and nurture SUMPOORNA BASKETBALL SCHOOL. As I sow the seeds of learning of this great game among thousands of children - I wrestle with thoughts of how to IMPORVE BASKETBALL AS A SPORT IN INDIA!
I search for colleagues, players, coaches, promoters as I make this historic journey. This journey will last me for my entire life time. I know I will succeed because INDIA has never failed in what it has set out to do - and we are A BILLION STRONG! Does `joy' pump through your veins when you dribble the ball - COME, LET US GIVE THIS JOY TO EACH AND EVERY CHILD.
You remember your child hood - your first coach, or a senior player who held your arms and taught you - how to shoot or how to dribble. CAN YOU EVERY REPAY THAT PERSON! The journey of your life with BASKETBALL has been enriched - isn't is time that you gave back to the game. I WILL HELP YOU START! Come and visit our project SUMPOORNA - PROMOTING BASKETBALL - young children await you! Remember, this battle is not mine alone - it is of every INDIAN who loves basketball.
YES, there are others who are doing the same job. HATS OFF TO THEM! We wish them well, but we need thousands of such organizations - and there is no better person than you AS AN ACTIVE BASKETBALL PLAYER to help the cause. PICK UP ONE WEEK, TWO WEEKS, ONE MONTH in every year - we shall depute you to this noble cause of promoting basketball. Returns are extra-ordinary! A LARGE SMILE ON FACE OF EVERY INDIAN CHILD!
Today I LIVE to play basketball and play basketball to LIVE [joyfully}!
I want to give this joy to every Indian CHILD. I want to see a basketball post in every village. My roots are firmly in the rural India. Today, I live 90 Kms away from Bangalore in a remote village and nurture SUMPOORNA BASKETBALL SCHOOL. As I sow the seeds of learning of this great game among thousands of children - I wrestle with thoughts of how to IMPORVE BASKETBALL AS A SPORT IN INDIA!
I search for colleagues, players, coaches, promoters as I make this historic journey. This journey will last me for my entire life time. I know I will succeed because INDIA has never failed in what it has set out to do - and we are A BILLION STRONG! Does `joy' pump through your veins when you dribble the ball - COME, LET US GIVE THIS JOY TO EACH AND EVERY CHILD.
You remember your child hood - your first coach, or a senior player who held your arms and taught you - how to shoot or how to dribble. CAN YOU EVERY REPAY THAT PERSON! The journey of your life with BASKETBALL has been enriched - isn't is time that you gave back to the game. I WILL HELP YOU START! Come and visit our project SUMPOORNA - PROMOTING BASKETBALL - young children await you! Remember, this battle is not mine alone - it is of every INDIAN who loves basketball.
YES, there are others who are doing the same job. HATS OFF TO THEM! We wish them well, but we need thousands of such organizations - and there is no better person than you AS AN ACTIVE BASKETBALL PLAYER to help the cause. PICK UP ONE WEEK, TWO WEEKS, ONE MONTH in every year - we shall depute you to this noble cause of promoting basketball. Returns are extra-ordinary! A LARGE SMILE ON FACE OF EVERY INDIAN CHILD!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
PROMOTION OF BASKETBALL AS A MAJOR ACTIVITY–RANDOM THOUGHTS
Every American Prison has a basketball court. Every garrison of American soliders builds a basketball court even in war zones. Mr. Nai Smith invented this game for young persons standing on street crosses doing nothing. The game is very fast paced and demands extra-ordinary physical fitness and concentration. It de-toxifies the body as nothing else does. ASK ME – I AM, SUBHASH MAHAJAN – and I will tell you stories till cows come home. I could live on basketball alone! Most of my students do!
SCHOOLS IN INDIA have become mini-prisons; we need to give these prisoners a break. The educational soldiers that we are producing by millions need to have physical fitness of equal measure. This is one game which can give this fitness within a period of 45 minutes. Innovative exercise drills which make children laugh and enjoy – make them WANT TO DO IT! Come, see me weave magic on a basketball court. Wherever I have gone BASKETBALL has become game number one.
DID I TELL YOU – Sister Julia from St. Mary’s Tumkur told me – all the children who have attended your basketball camps have changed – it is an extra-ordinary change. A principal who asked me to be the coach of her school didn’t have enough space to keep the trophies and suggested why don’t you start losing some games. Ha Ha! Come explore with me the potential that a ten year old boy has as he dribbles through his legs or behind his back or for that matter a twelve year old girl scoring a basket – then another – then another – then another – you wonder when she is going to miss.
WE DON’T TEACH THE WHOLE SCHOOL – just give me a group of 40 students – others will copy from them – we are only embedding, after that, there will be no turning back. I visited a school, which had three basketball courts – hardly anyone played on them. The principal told me, that they were planning to tear two courts down. I was allowed to conduct a camp for two days – now they are having problem to adjust so many students and a request has come for a FOURTH COURT [exclusively for girls]. Tell me, why I should stop teaching this game – tell me to stop living!
CHILDREN FITNESS is a big issue with everyone. It isn’t a issue with basketball players. Obesity is a crime – yet it keeps flourishing. Physically fit children do not fall ill, have a strong immune system, can take knocks and falls in their stride. At 56, as I run up and down the court for scoring or saving a basket – people stop in their tracks and wonder who is this bald child. And to get to this level of fitness the only crime I have committed is to have played basketball regularly for the last 45 years.
REALISE THEIR POTENTIAL before they become a burden for you and the society. Healthy habits must be developed early on in life – BASKETBALL is a good reason. Many players under estimate their talent – after playing this game – they understand one thing clearly – ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. The spirit of courage and adventure is kindled in them. Climbing hills and walking in rivers –they can match any one at any age. You are listening to a man who has done more than 1000 hill climbs with probably more than one lakh children.
MORE – MORE ! I wish to train one million children in Basketball. Your co-operation will help me. Let us set the ball rolling. History may remember you – I AM ALREADY IMMORTAL!
SCHOOLS IN INDIA have become mini-prisons; we need to give these prisoners a break. The educational soldiers that we are producing by millions need to have physical fitness of equal measure. This is one game which can give this fitness within a period of 45 minutes. Innovative exercise drills which make children laugh and enjoy – make them WANT TO DO IT! Come, see me weave magic on a basketball court. Wherever I have gone BASKETBALL has become game number one.
DID I TELL YOU – Sister Julia from St. Mary’s Tumkur told me – all the children who have attended your basketball camps have changed – it is an extra-ordinary change. A principal who asked me to be the coach of her school didn’t have enough space to keep the trophies and suggested why don’t you start losing some games. Ha Ha! Come explore with me the potential that a ten year old boy has as he dribbles through his legs or behind his back or for that matter a twelve year old girl scoring a basket – then another – then another – then another – you wonder when she is going to miss.
WE DON’T TEACH THE WHOLE SCHOOL – just give me a group of 40 students – others will copy from them – we are only embedding, after that, there will be no turning back. I visited a school, which had three basketball courts – hardly anyone played on them. The principal told me, that they were planning to tear two courts down. I was allowed to conduct a camp for two days – now they are having problem to adjust so many students and a request has come for a FOURTH COURT [exclusively for girls]. Tell me, why I should stop teaching this game – tell me to stop living!
CHILDREN FITNESS is a big issue with everyone. It isn’t a issue with basketball players. Obesity is a crime – yet it keeps flourishing. Physically fit children do not fall ill, have a strong immune system, can take knocks and falls in their stride. At 56, as I run up and down the court for scoring or saving a basket – people stop in their tracks and wonder who is this bald child. And to get to this level of fitness the only crime I have committed is to have played basketball regularly for the last 45 years.
REALISE THEIR POTENTIAL before they become a burden for you and the society. Healthy habits must be developed early on in life – BASKETBALL is a good reason. Many players under estimate their talent – after playing this game – they understand one thing clearly – ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. The spirit of courage and adventure is kindled in them. Climbing hills and walking in rivers –they can match any one at any age. You are listening to a man who has done more than 1000 hill climbs with probably more than one lakh children.
MORE – MORE ! I wish to train one million children in Basketball. Your co-operation will help me. Let us set the ball rolling. History may remember you – I AM ALREADY IMMORTAL!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
CUT THE BULLSHIT! I HAVE HAD ENOUGH!
I have been using diplomatic words - words that lacked the ferocity of my thinking - hoping that you would understand. Since you refuse to - let me ask you to cut the bullshit. I have had enough! You violate the rights of children to play - in the name of giving them EDUCATION. Is education really what it is supposed to do? The education which creates a zombie who is capable of getting a fat pay check.
AND WHAT IS THE CONTRIBUTION OF THIS ZOMBIE - who has sucked the blood of his parents, sucked the blood of his country through subsidised education - will accumulate material wealth for his luxuries - and expect his progenies to follow in his foot-steps. WHAT IS THE ALTERNATIVE - YOU ASK?
I will give you the alternatives. Our traditional knowledge is extremely important for the whole world. We have to develop a proper mind-set. The world which cures diseases has to learn that PREVENTIVE MEASURES OF AYURVEDA are much more potent. We have to learn to combine the modern with the ancient - our failure to do so is the cause of so many problems.
The world has developed a measure for success MONEY! It isn't so - as we often learn. We have to stop calling every person working with his hands a POOR MAN! Poverty has to be redefined. Govts that impoverish its citizens and then give hand-outs must be recognized for what they are - CREATING BEGGARS out of honest upright workers. It is time to cut the bullshit! I have had enough! Have you, too?
AND WHAT IS THE CONTRIBUTION OF THIS ZOMBIE - who has sucked the blood of his parents, sucked the blood of his country through subsidised education - will accumulate material wealth for his luxuries - and expect his progenies to follow in his foot-steps. WHAT IS THE ALTERNATIVE - YOU ASK?
I will give you the alternatives. Our traditional knowledge is extremely important for the whole world. We have to develop a proper mind-set. The world which cures diseases has to learn that PREVENTIVE MEASURES OF AYURVEDA are much more potent. We have to learn to combine the modern with the ancient - our failure to do so is the cause of so many problems.
The world has developed a measure for success MONEY! It isn't so - as we often learn. We have to stop calling every person working with his hands a POOR MAN! Poverty has to be redefined. Govts that impoverish its citizens and then give hand-outs must be recognized for what they are - CREATING BEGGARS out of honest upright workers. It is time to cut the bullshit! I have had enough! Have you, too?
Saturday, January 2, 2010
I STILL WANT CHILDREN TO SIT ON MY LAPS AND REMOVE MY SELF-CREATED LONELINESS
This could be perhaps the deepest insight into my mind. I am perplexed by what I am doing. By day-time, I imagine a break-through in business - by afternoon I enjoy the lethargy of a semi retired life - by evening I am running at break neck speed on the basketball court trying to convert baskets - and by night the fact sink in that this day was the happiest of my life - AS EVERY DAY IT IS!
The cocoon with which I have surrounded myself allows me to indulge in any whims and fancies that I have - and for this I am indebted to the people who form this cocoon - my family, my colleagues in business and my students of basketball. They form the `core' of my reason to live and struggle. To ensure their joy I would do anything. They are the gods that I worship - just as they worship me as their god.
My home at SUMPOORNA is now as fulfilling as the one at Bangalore. I couldn't live without either - the extreme blessing that god has showered on me. I am alive to this fact that my life-bubble is nearing its end - hence the desire to give up `myself' in the totality is becoming stronger and stronger. AND this where my final `joys' live. I have arrived - of that I have no doubt. The travelling is over - the destination has been reached. The journies that others make I watch and wonder as to how I could help them. The desire to do something for them is very very great. I donot know whether this is right or not. If I could take away a little of their `pain' and give a `smile' - it would make my twilight years more meaningful.
I have come across people who cheated me for their gain. I bless them and pray to god that they too actualize their dreams as I have done. I have no grudges - no ill-will against them. I am also aware that there may still be `cheats' who would cross my path - but I also know that such people are cancelled out by the `good ones' who are with me.
To be able to play basketball with the young children, to be able to make their minds and bodies strong - I would like to do this till the end of my life. What the future holds for me - I donot know. But this is my strongest desire that SUMPOORNA becomes the battle cry of every child - and that to make their BODIES and MINDS strong is their goal. I have still not fully understood why SUMPOORNA has been created - what should be its goals - what should be its methodologies. I am still too much of a NON-CONFORMIST to allow any organization to run my `dream project'. I still want children to sit in my laps and fill up my self-created loneliness that I surround myself with.
I still want to be a child - and as children come to SUMPOORNA - I, too, like a child come here. Every basket they make - makes me feel that IT IS ME! I live in their bodies and minds. Their love will make me `immortal' - that which I donot seek. Let them create their own SUMPOORNAS when they grow up - let them be what they want to be [LET MY SUMPOORNA GIVE THEM STRONG MINDS AND BODIES]. Let god fulfill all their dreams as he has done mine.
The cocoon with which I have surrounded myself allows me to indulge in any whims and fancies that I have - and for this I am indebted to the people who form this cocoon - my family, my colleagues in business and my students of basketball. They form the `core' of my reason to live and struggle. To ensure their joy I would do anything. They are the gods that I worship - just as they worship me as their god.
My home at SUMPOORNA is now as fulfilling as the one at Bangalore. I couldn't live without either - the extreme blessing that god has showered on me. I am alive to this fact that my life-bubble is nearing its end - hence the desire to give up `myself' in the totality is becoming stronger and stronger. AND this where my final `joys' live. I have arrived - of that I have no doubt. The travelling is over - the destination has been reached. The journies that others make I watch and wonder as to how I could help them. The desire to do something for them is very very great. I donot know whether this is right or not. If I could take away a little of their `pain' and give a `smile' - it would make my twilight years more meaningful.
I have come across people who cheated me for their gain. I bless them and pray to god that they too actualize their dreams as I have done. I have no grudges - no ill-will against them. I am also aware that there may still be `cheats' who would cross my path - but I also know that such people are cancelled out by the `good ones' who are with me.
To be able to play basketball with the young children, to be able to make their minds and bodies strong - I would like to do this till the end of my life. What the future holds for me - I donot know. But this is my strongest desire that SUMPOORNA becomes the battle cry of every child - and that to make their BODIES and MINDS strong is their goal. I have still not fully understood why SUMPOORNA has been created - what should be its goals - what should be its methodologies. I am still too much of a NON-CONFORMIST to allow any organization to run my `dream project'. I still want children to sit in my laps and fill up my self-created loneliness that I surround myself with.
I still want to be a child - and as children come to SUMPOORNA - I, too, like a child come here. Every basket they make - makes me feel that IT IS ME! I live in their bodies and minds. Their love will make me `immortal' - that which I donot seek. Let them create their own SUMPOORNAS when they grow up - let them be what they want to be [LET MY SUMPOORNA GIVE THEM STRONG MINDS AND BODIES]. Let god fulfill all their dreams as he has done mine.
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