This writeup is about a few people who’ve influenced me on a conscious level in my life. These are people who I share no blood relation with. Neither were some of them very close to me personally. But they’ve left a mark on my consciousness. They’ve made me grow as a person. Now, by growth I mean evolution. You evolve by going beyond both good and bad is what the notion is.
I’m saying this because people who know me personally and will read this might get confused by it. Some of the names that I’m gonna mention would seem contrary to the idea of my personal growth.
But then the growth that we popularly know of is a bit different to the idea of growth that I’m mentioning here.
My idea of growth is to go beyond polarised viewpoints. It is to look from a higher point of view than that. It is to look for value beyond materialistic gains.
So let’s start with the names :
1. Late Sunil Bose – My first badminton coach. That man was a visionary. He could see things well ahead of time. I realise it now. I didn’t then. My naman.?
2. Shrikant Vad – Again my badminton coach when I came to Thane. Even though he’ll divide opinions, I learnt a lot from him. Well, atleast I’m realising them now. He has this superb way of being diplomatic. He can mesmerise people with his sweet talks. I realise now that this power to impress people with words is immense. It cannot be measured but it is huge. My naman.?
3. Pullela Gopichand – My national coach till I was playing, still the national badminton coach of India. While he has his own method of going about things, the one thing you cannot question about him is his dedication and discipline. I mean I have never come across a person who’s as disciplined and dedicated to his purpose as him. Highly diplomatic as well. One needs to watch him carefully to understand what these great virtues stand for. I was fortunate enough I’d say. My naman.?
4. Saina Nehwal – While we were friends growing up, one thing that is unparalleled in her is her determination. That dogged mindset to meet your target somehow is something which always stood out in her character. We could always sense that she’s destined for greatness in life. And she is. My naman.?
5. Parupalli Kashyap – While we had a lot of good matches between us during our junior days, one thing which distinguished him from us(well, atleast me) is his willingness to work hard. He is the studious type in my opinion. He’ll work on a particular thing till he masters it. Throughout his life he’s had to fight adversities that he’s overcome in style. Knowing him personally has been a massive plus for me. My naman.?
6. Jwala Gutta – Well, this name needs no introduction, not that some of the other ones do though. Her influence on me? Her firebrand nature. Fearlessness in her character. Sometimes going ahead and talking to her can be very intimidating. Never shy away from what you feel is right is what she lives by. Talk your mind is what she’s all about. A great helping hand. She’s got huge plaudits in her career because of that. My naman.?
7. Dhanraj Pillay – Again, another firebrand character. ‘Jishnu, kyu nahi ho sakta hai? Sab kuch ho sakta hai.’ (why can’t it happen? Everything is possible.) is his standard answer to everything. He’s the epitome of ‘never say die’ attitude. Also, his helping nature is what influenced me a great deal. My naman.?
Last but not the least, probably the biggest influence that a person dead or alive has had on me.
Swami Vivekananda ? – My Guru. ?Every little change that has happened in me is because of him. And I know how much change has happened in me. His books have transformed me for the better. I know it has transformed many like me before and will transform many after me. And that exactly why this Godman was so great and his knowledge in the form of his books is such a great asset for mankind. My grandest naman. ?
I know this list is very short. There are a lot of others who’ve had quite a bit of positive influence on me. But to name everyone would be a difficult job indeed. That is why I’d like to offer my naman?to everyone who’s left a mark on my growth consciously or unconsciously. Every mark from time immemorial has led me upto this point, every mark was positive.
Om Shanti….?