Most valuable minute of my life

When this person comes out of his crease to hit a spinner over log on or midwicket, whole India laid their back on the chair. They all know that this will sure go for a “SIX”. It was guaranteed, because the person who batting is none other than Sourav Ganguly. Best captain and Left-handed batsman India have ever produced.

In this part of India, the day he declared his retirement from all types of Cricket, I do not know any body counted it or not, may be thousands of or lacks of people had tears on their eyes. People of Bengal thinks, when DADA walks into the pitch and took stunts, he took it for 8 crores Bengali. Nothing to share, he also personally believe it. This is the bonding with DADA and people of Bengal. Yes, I write it as Bengal, not West Bengal. I know some friends of Bangladesh, who also believe that DADA bat for them also. Some of them even go further. They told me, when DADA play against Bangladesh, all over the stadium, may be all over the country a pray is going on every peoples mind. “DADA please, do not get out!!”

On the 16th of March, 2009, our very own DADA visited Calcutta University to deliver a speech in a cultural program organized by the students of the University. Before that, students are just eagerly waiting for him. A huge queue was standing outside the front gate of the hall.

DADA entered on the stage, with his gentle smile. People ran closer towards the stage to take snaps of the legend. After some period of time, every thing was settled. DADA came in front of speaker, welcome the students of the university and suddenly he expressed his desire. Their will be no speech of him. He wants an interactive session with students. A huge round of clap welcome come his offer.

Best test match win, idol cricketer, waving shirt in Lords balcony, Dhoni, Knight Rider, Leadership qualities, TV show of knights for angles to his decision of retirement, every thing was asked by the students. All of them were answered by DADA, with his cute smile, some of them with bit seriousness and some are in a very jolly mood.

I was trying to ask a question to him from the beginning. As we know, the volunteers, who handed over the Mick to the students, are not giving it to them whom they do not know personally, most of the cases. I was eagerly trying to get a chance to say something. But no one had given me a chance in my over one hour appealing session. At last, coordinators said over the Mick that DADA was in a hurry, he will take two more questions only. Then I start shouting in front of the stage, ‘DADA, AKTA QUESTION, DADA, AKTA QUESTION!!’ There are many other students also in front, they are still trying and appealing to the volunteers and members of union to ask a question to him. I was shouting for two three minutes. After taking second last question, he pointed out his finger towards me and said to the volunteers “AR AKTA QUESTION, OKE BOLTE DAO, OKE BOLTE DAO.” It was a pleasure for me! DADA pointed out me and wants to give me a fair chance to ask a question. But No!! This time also, those union people do not look at me. They pass on the Mick to a girl! They do not even bother what their chief guest was asking for! I was very upset for the time being. DADA answered the girl and hand over a trophy to their inter campus cricket championship winning team. He took steps towards back stage.


That time I become desperate. I do not know what had come over my mind. I suddenly jumped and I was on the stage! Then, I took another, cross over two huge sound boxes. I ran towards the back stage gate. Volunteers, Police, Black Cat commandos, a good number of people all were there. People were tried to follow DADA. Police and volunteers blocked them but I managed to cross the first gate. Then I could managed to cross rush of people and the second, third and the final gate also. Suddenly, I found myself that I was the only person surviving! DADA was walking in middle and a huge number of police personnel covering him. I ran towards him and managed to slick through the security! Believe me it was a really tuff one. I managed it through passing under the arm of two police men! Now, I found myself walking beside DADA! I am walking side by side with my dream person, with my inspiration! So matches I have opened with him every mid night in my dreams…….. Sorry, I can not count. May be that many matches he could not get chance to play for India!!

I was actually spell bound and nothing coming out of my mouth. I touched his arm and said ‘DADA, AKTA QUESTION……’. He looked at me with his trademark smile and said, “BOLO”. He was still moving very fast. I was very much tensed; walking (may be running! I can not remember now.) and as I told nothing was not coming out of my mouth. I could only manage to ask him that, ‘DADA, JIBONE KONO KAJ KORE MONE HOYCHE BHUL KORECHO?’ He replied, “KONO BHUL NEI” and walked in towards lift and get in………….

I stood still for a second or two then running back towards the hall. I was just thinking about his answer. In our short life so many times we think that we have done mistakes. But a man who played international cricket for so long time, lead a team like India, changed the dimension of cricket mentality and mind set of a whole generation, this is the secrete of all. TOTAL SELF BELEVE AND NEVER LOOK BACK IN LIFE THEORY.