the memories!

countless records.

To the rest of the world, Tendulkar’s greatness may well lie in his insatiable appetite for runs. He was particularly ruthless against Australia, plundering 20 centuries against them, including the 114 in Perth that many regard as the greatest innings played by a visiting batsman in Australia. Time and again, he showed the world that he was at his best when he was being challenged. His innings in Cape Town, during which he prevailed in a titanic struggle with Dale Steyn, is testament to his ability to score against the best bowlers of every generation he played against. Starting with Younis and Akram in 1989, he overcame attacks that featured Ambrose and Walsh, McGrath and Warne, and more recently, Steyn and Morkel.

Sachin’s rise coincided with India’s rise as an economic power – not just in cricket, but on the world stage and revered him as they would a deity. His records might be broken – Kohli is already on the hunt in the ODI arena, and Kallis is hot on his heels in Test matches. Some may argue that Lara was a greater match-winner, or Kallis a more valuable cricketer. But it is the sheer romance of Tendulkar’s story – a quiet, shy 16-year-old Indian boy like any other, taking on the world and carrying the hopes and dreams of an entire nation for almost a quarter of a century –that makes him so special to India, and will outlive his

No one in history, sportsperson or otherwise, has endured the adoration of a billion people. It is not something Tendulkar ever asked for - and perhaps that is why we gave it to him so readily. Tendulkar has transcended sport, bringing together cultures, religions and castes in a way that no leader, politician or warrior has ever achieved – whether in India or abroad. In his retirement speech, Tendulkar said that the “Sachiiiin, Sachin” chant would reverberate in his ears until his last breath. Despite the entitlement every fan felt to the heartfelt ‘Thank you’ from Tendulkar, you could not help but feel a touch of pity for the man.

For although he might move on from the game and his time in the sun is now at an end, the nation will never move on from him. He will remain far and away the most adored son of India, and that will surely haunt Tendulkar, now that he does not have cricket as an outlet. The eerie moment when Tendulkar ventured out on his own to touch the Wankhede Stadium pitch reminded us once again that Tendulkar was only ever at home on the cricket field. It has been that way for a long time. Tendulkar was born to play this game.

This chapter of India’s love affair with him is over. Cricket will be poorer without him. But it was better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

The eerie moment when Tendulkar ventured out on his own to touch the Wankhede Stadium pitch reminded us once again that Tendulkar was only ever at home on the cricket field

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People Parties Places

Shiamak’s Summer Funk once again delivers a scintillating show at the Box Hill Town Hall

Amardeep Batra, Division D Winner, winner and Ravinder Jabbal, Division C, carried away trophies at the 9th Indian Open Golf Tournament 2013, held at Melbourne Airport Golf Club. The event was coordinated by Ravin Narayan and Raj Kumar, and sponsored by OSM group

The Nanaksar Thath Ishar Darbar (430 Evans Road, Lynbrook) organised a grand celebration on 2 Nov 2013, of the 71st birthday of Sant Baba Amar Singh Ji Barundi Wale, chairman and founder of Nanaksar Trust Worldwide. A blood donation camp was organised as part of the event