Top sportspersons speak to MiD DAY on their most cherished
Top sportspersons speak to MiD DAY on their most cherished
Glory Days
India's top sportspersons speak to mid day on their most cherished patriotic moments as the country celebrates 62 years of independence
ABHINAV BINDRA
Winning an Olympic medal was more than a dream come true. But the timing of that achievement August 11, 2008 was even more special.
Standing atop the podium with the national anthem playing is an unbelievable feeling. As an Indian sportsman I've always felt very patriotic at winning competitions abroad. But the Olympics are obviously different.
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I had dreamt of an Olympic medal as a kid and to see it fulfilled was a great moment for me, my family and my country.
Coming back to the prize distribution ceremony at the Olympics, it was very touching to see the Indian tri-colour rise above all at the Beijing Shooting Range.
I don't have words to describe what I was going through then. I wouldn't say that I was moved to tears but yes, it was an intensely emotional moment a result of over 15 years of hard work that I had put in.
The national anthem playing in the background saw the patriot in me reach an all-time high.
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I was proud and satisfied with what I had done, but I was even happier to have made my country proud a few days before Independence Day.
As told to Ashwin Ferro
Ritwik Bhattacharya
THERE was always a certain passion and love for the country instilled in me as a child as my father, Ranjan, was a Group Captain with the Indian Air Force. Hence, the feeling of being an Indian and the love for it was always felt in the household.
Many believe that the feeling of patriotism or the pride of representing the country is lesser in an individual sport as compared to a team sport, but that is not true.
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Every time I step on the court, I am aware that I am an Indian playing against someone and it is not just my reputation but also the country's that I have to uphold.
My greatest feeling of having done something for the country that has given me so many opportunities came when I won the Professional Squash Association (PSA) title in New Zealand in 2003 when I became the first Indian to win a PSA title.
As told to Anand I Naik
Anand Pawar
I was part of India's six-member badminton team for the Junior Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, 2004. We defeated England in the quarters so a silver medal was assured.
But after getting past Singapore in the semis, we put our hearts and souls into a tough final against Malaysia. We went down fighting and lost 2-3 in a thriller.
Despite five years since that incident, that particular silver will always be one of the most cherished and patriotic moments of my career.
The pride of playing and being successful for the country gives one a different high. For me, that win will always remain close to my heart as my most patriotic moment.
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As told to Sudheendra Tripathi
Saina Nehwal
I may have had quite a few career highs, but if there is one special moment I have to single out, it has to be my run-up to the quarter-finals of the Beijing Olympics last year for purely patriotic reasons.
I clearly remember how happy I was after beating fourth seed Hong Kong's Wang Chen (21-19, 11-21, 21-11) in the pre-quarter-final in Beijing.
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It was an unbelievable high not only because I had never beaten her but because I had done so while representing India at the highest level the Olympics. Also, the timing of the win made it even more special.
It was August 11 four days away from Independence Day, which is widely celebrated back home, This only heightened the patriotic spirit in me.
Another factor that doubled my joy was Abhinav Bindra winning India's first individual Olympic gold.
As told to Ashwin Ferro
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P Gopichand
Many would say that the All England Championships win in 2001 was my greatest achievement as I became only the second Indian to win it and it was a very special feeling for me.
To be able to win something like the All England and make the entire country proud is always a matter of great pride.
But for me, playing in the Thomas Cup was special too. Playing as a member of the Indian team always gave me a great feeling, something that I cannot forget.
Doing well for the country in team competitions was always great motivation for me and I always wanted to help the country do well in the Thomas Cup.
As told to Anand I Naik
Rahul Dravid
The time when I felt really patriotic and proud of being an Indian was when the Indian team had gone to witness the flag ceremony at the Wagah border.
It was during the 2004 tour to Pakistan and we were on the Pakistan side of the border. The entire ceremony gave me a very patriotic feeling.
It made me so desperately want to get on to the Indian side, but obviously I could not do it then.
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It all just brings to mind the fact that there are so many young soldiers who protect our borders in very difficult and dangerous conditions and make such a huge sacrifice for our sake.
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Witnessing that ceremony made me feel very proud to be an Indian and one day I'd love to take my children when they are bit older to the Indian side of that border.
It would be amazing to soak in the atmosphere from the Amritsar side.
As told to Clayton Murzello
Harbhajan Singh
EVERY time I wear India colours, I feel proud. Every time I hold the Indian flag, I feel proud.
But, the most patriotic moment of my career was the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 Cup victory. To be part of the World Cup-winning team was a special moment and I can never forget that day.u00a0
It will be fresh in my mind even after 50 years. I still get goose bumps thinking about that day in Johannesburg.
We have tasted some fine wins, but the aura of a World Cup is different. Everybody gets involved; the whole of India is behind you as people watch it more closely.
I knew the World Cup win was big but I realised its real impact only when we came out of the Mumbai airport.
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The whole of Mumbai came on the streets. I've never seen a carnival, but it must be like this. I may win another World Cup, but this will always be special because it was my first.
As told to Sanjjeev K Samyal
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