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!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
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.
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