Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, an inspiration of millions, retired from cricket recently.
They know him for his cricketing skills. His juicy straight drive that people love to see. His skillful upper cut that people admire. 30,000+ international runs, 100 international centuries and much much more. But, are these stats enough to justify his legacy?
Let us for a moment take away all his runs and centuries, and think of a Sacin Tendulkar who has no records on his name.
Sachin Tendulkar has been recently named a United Nations Environment Programme Goodwill Ambassador. Speaking about the event, Ban Ki-moon said,
“I have received a lot of applause in India. But this evening, I seem to be the least popular person on the stage. I am indeed honoured that such individuals are lending their names to the UN cause. The god of cricket will now bat for the UN. I hope he hit it hard and far."
Do you think, he is made a brand Ambassador of United Nations for his cricket records? The answer is ofcourse NO. There are many other legends who have a bag full of records in their respective sports. But why only Tendulkar?
One more incident. If you are Indian, you will be well aware about what happened to Sarita Devi recently in Asian Games. She was banned for one year and fined Swiss francs 1,000 by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) for refusing to accept her 2014 Asian Games bronze medal afer a controversial match. The nation was busy with "swachh bharat abhayan at that moment", but not Sachin Tendulkar. When everyone ignored the issue, Tendulkar was there to back Sarita Devi during her bad.
"I would urge you to kindly look into this issue urgently and ensure that she is given competent support so that her career is not threatened and ends in a premature manner," Tendulkar wrote in a letter to Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
Why? To make a new record? Ofcourse not.
Not only this, Tendulkar has been recently found promoting various sports in India. Saina Nehwal, one of the other exampes for whom Sachin Tendulkar has proved to be a mental strength.
Why all these? To make new records? To prove himself great? Really, do he need to prove himself great?
Ofcourse not, the answer is,
Its because, Sachin Tendulkar is a phenomenon. A phenomenon beyond legacy. A legend beyond humanity.
They say nothing is greater than the sport, but I say he is, because Sach Is My Master.......
