Just thinking of my Murali Annan...

Sivaksi - My town is big enough having some broad streets, good schools and Six colleges around including ANJAC, Mepco. Right before 15 years, I was roaming around and no body believed that I was leading a small group in my street.. ha ha.. if I remember now, I could still laugh aloud. Time passing was the only thing I did (don’t ask me how I spent my time)… Just playing street games with out any aim...

I just studied with out so much interest. My bro Murali annan (annan - big brother) has told me lot many things and I just ignored him. Thought, he was trying to get hold of me and my timings. The first thing I had listened very carefully from him was “how to prepare Mathematics public exam in 8^th Grade”. Guess what…. I scored 100% in my public exam and got an award in School Day. Do you think I felt so happy. No way… I did not want to even go to school for that function. I was forced to go and got that award. Even now, I dont know why i was not so happy on getting that award. I never showed intrest on my studies and hence i never enjoyed my studies till i completed my HSC. My mom and sis showed that book (that i got it for 100%) to me, when I visited my home last time. I really felt so happy and little bit of proud-ness that at least I did some thing in my studies. No body knows that the secret of my success was Murali annan. Even he did not know till now, i guess :))

You know what, my Murali annan has helped in lot many ways. He was very good in sports from his 6^th grade itself. Great football player and amazing cricket player. Due to stupid politics, he could not enter school cricket team. Reason - Football team needed a perfect Goal Keeper where they didnt want him to join Cricket. He was so depressed and he couldn’t get into cricket team, but he wanted me to be there in the team. My goodness… I was in my 10^th grade and he asked me to join practice matches. To me, street games were more important than anything. I got slapped and scolded. I dont know till now, what he told to my dad. I was so afraid of my dad till my 12th grade. (Not after than ;)) My dad came and started scolded me; asked me to leave for the ground immediately. In fact, my dad didnt like me to play in the street... I believe, none of dad likes it :)

Finally reached ground (named MGR Ground :)) for the first time. I was asked to bat first, took cricket bat with an ugly crying face… of course lot of angriness with my bro. Murali annan is a pace bowler. He took the ball (Cork ball) himself and bowled very fast. Man, I was gone… I mean my legs were gone… with out wearing any pads, with out knowing how to bat.. just covering the stemps… I screamed in pain. My bro came and slapped again…yelled... “what the hell are you doing with bat?” I didn’t realize that his intention was to make myself fit for school team. I thought he was taking revenge of not obeying his words at any times :)).. It just started somehow to defend the ball. I joined as a substitute - 12^th man in local county team named “Challenge Stars”, where my bro use to play. It was quite famous team in our town. Heard, I was playing as 12^th man in that team, I was asked to Open the innings in our school team matches (believe me.. with out any selection practices) I was shocked, but who will refuse that chance. I could see that much happiness in my bro’s face and then too I couldn’t understand his intention.

He trained me each & other day and I started playing (in fact just dancing in the pitches :))… Got selected in Sr. School team also as opening batsman. And I too got involved myself in more practices and I am so happy that I played all six years in my college team as opening batsmen. I represented twice in university zonal matches. Unforgettable moments those are. Well, I could still play in IT cricket matches and getting good relationships with lot many colleagues… I could name some thing in my hobby list now ;) Big Guddus to my bro… Whenever I am seeing those sports certificates (not more in number but at least 12 certificates to keep it in my file), I always remember the way I started my practices. I literally worried lot many times, that why did not I start listening to my bro from 6^th Grade. Cozz… I missed my 4 years sports in my school days :(

Well, past is past... But these memories are going to last forever. Unforunately, my bro might not be in a position to read this blog... He is a lawyer now and also taking care of other businesses in his free time. He is such a busy guy except Sundays. Still he is playing for the same cricket team in Sivakasi (Challenge Stars). No idea, when he is going to read this ;)... I hope he also didnt forget this.

Who knows... I am not sure whether he can remember these incidents now..