The four young medal-winning track and field athletes from rural Satara, who were accompanied by their two coaches, could not conceal their joy and excitement on meeting their sporting idol and asked Sachin questions about his career, diet, and fitness journey

Four young female athletes from the Mann Deshi Champions programme, which is supported by the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation, got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet cricketing legend, Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai recently.

The four young medal-winning track and field athletes from rural Satara, who were accompanied by their two coaches, could not conceal their joy and excitement on meeting their sporting idol and asked Sachin questions about his career, diet, and fitness journey.

All four girls hail from farming families in rural Satara district. Vaishnavi Sawant from Pulkoti, currently pursuing an MA, has won gold, silver, and bronze medals in the 3000-meter steeplechase at the National level. Arya Kale from Jambhulani, an 8th-grade student, has secured a National bronze medal in the 2000-meter race. Arati Babar from Dhokmoda, presently pursuing a BA, has actively participated in 5 Km and 10 Km races at the State level. Payal Bhosale, also from Dhokmoda, has won a silver medal in the 600-meter race at the District level.

The girls also wanted to know how a sportsperson could deal with failures. Sachin gave them advice from his experiences, “Failures are natural and a part of your journey as a sportsperson. You will face failures, and things will not always be in your favour every day. What really matters is your mindset in facing failure and not allowing it to affect your long-term plan. It is important to believe in yourself and keep working towards your goal. Just like you train your body to be strong, you must also train your mind to be resilient, learn from failures and move forward.”

The Sachin Tendulkar Foundation began working with the Mann Deshi Foundation in December 2023, supporting the Mann Deshi Champions programme with financial support to provide young boys and girls in rural India with sports facilities that nurture their overall physical, mental and social development.

Sachin, who was accompanied by his wife, Anjali Tendulkar also enquired about the girls’ training routine. He appreciated their dedication in not missing their twice-daily rigorous training, once before attending school in the morning and then in the evening after school. The Mann Deshi Foundation provides these young athletes with healthy and nutritious food after the training sessions.

The Sachin Tendulkar Foundation supports the Mann Deshi Champions programme in its mission to identify prospective outstanding athletes in rural India, offer financial and professional coaching support to participate in state, national and international competitions, and promote a career in sports. With a focus on increasing girls’ participation in sports, it also trains local coaches to identify and train talented athletes.

The Sachin Tendulkar Foundation supports multiple philanthropic initiatives to build a better tomorrow for India’s next generation. It works in the areas of children’s health, education and sports. Its other initiatives in supporting sports for children include working with the Hi-5 Foundation to develop character, confidence and team spirit in children in tribal areas of Maharashtra, West Bengal and Gujarat through a basketball excellence program called ‘Hope Through Hoops’ and backing Shreeja’s ‘Football and Beyond’ initiative which is empowering young girls from tribal areas of West Bengal.

New Delhi/Mumbai, November 3 (IANS) UNICEF South Asia Regional Ambassador and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar led a day for children and called for gender equality with Muttiah Muralitharan, Sri Lankan cricket icon, during the India-Sri Lanka match in Mumbai.

The One Day for Children is a milestone event under the ICC-UNICEF partnership to support children’s issues and causes during the ICC Men’s World Cup Cricket 2023 taking place in India.

In the second innings of the match, Sachin Tendulkar and Muttiah Muralitharan pressed a button which lit up the32,000 strong iconic Wankhede Stadium in UNICEF’s iconic cyan blue colour, as part of a long-standing partnership between UNICEF and the International Cricket Council (ICC).

“The World Cup is an opportune moment to bring people together and promote hope and equality for every child, and I am delighted that today’s match between Sri Lanka and India is the One Day for Children match,” said Sachin Tendulkar, cricketing icon, and UNICEF South Asia Regional Ambassador. “I urge the players, the audiences here and across the world, and ICC partners, to pledge to treat boys and girls equally, irrespective of gender and to build a world where all children, especially girls, have equal rights. I urge everyone to be a champion for children and pledge to end gender inequality together!”

Earlier, the in-stadium audiences were handed LED wrist bands at the entry points to the stands as they arrived, which turned blue with the Stadium. The LED wrist bands came with a QR code, which also linked to a pledge for children. Everyone who got the band was encouraged to scan the QR code and pledge. Players also wore one-of-a-kind armbands with logos of the World Cup, One Day 4 Child and UNICEF along with the players’ names.

“Today’s World Cup match is dedicated to advancing the rights and well-being of all children. This is a valuable opportunity to bring the power of cricket – its massive reach across the globe – to advocate for better, safer and empowering lives for millions of girls and boys,” said Cynthia McCaffrey, Representative, UNICEF India. “We greatly value the partnership with ICC and BCCI to use cricket to raise awareness and promote gender equality among millions of young fans and followers, and urge them to be champions for children, especially for girls.”

Since 2016, UNICEF and ICC have used the potential of cricketing events to improve the lives of children and young people. From2022, the focus of the partnership has been to empower girls and young women through cricket.

“I strongly believe that playing sport can positively transform children’s lives. Ensuring participation of girls in sports can challenge gender norms and change attitudes in schools, playgrounds and homes,” added Tendulkar, UNICEF’s South Asia Regional Ambassador. “Girls and boys everywhere, dream of a better future, and when girls do better, we all do better!”

South Asia is home to one-third of the world’s 600 million adolescent girls – or a staggering 170 million – yet their potential to change the world remains largely untapped. For example, 1 in every 5 girls is undernourished. More than half of adolescent girls are anaemic. Only 36 per cent of girls have completed secondary school. Evidence shows that with adequate investments in the health and nutrition of girls and women, the world could save more than 12 million lives and prevent more than 30 million unwanted pregnancies.

The ICC Men’s World Cup Cricket in India, from 5 October to 19 November, has attracted millions of fans and viewers. In addition to the One Day for Children event, UNICEF and ICC have promoted gender equality through several cricketing initiatives during the ICC World Cup 2023. For example, cricketers from each of the 10 teams played with about 50 young boys and girls during 10 cricket clinics across 8 cities in India.

In August 2023, in his role as UNICEF South Asia Regional Ambassador, Sachin Tendulkar visited Sri Lanka and met with children and parents impacted by the COVID-pandemic and the 2022 economic crisis.

The Seva Kutirs, spread across far-off places in Madhya Pradesh inhabited by tribal people and supported by The Sachin Tendulkar foundation.

For residents of far-off villages in districts like Sehore and Sheopur in Madhya Pradesh, sustenance is a struggle. There are issues of accessibility and other factors that make basic amenities hard to attain. The likes of Ramkalibai, Kusumbai, Kavitabai, and many others, who hail from these districts, share a unified dream of seeing their children get their rightful education and do something substantial in life. They do not want their children to go through the same struggles they have had to go through.

Taking their first steps with their eyes alight with the same dreams as their parents, the likes of Pinkee, Sandhya, Anjali, and several others, would come regularly to the Seva Kutirs set up in various parts of Sehore and Sheopur, among other districts. These Seva Kutirs are supported by the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation.

The Seva Kutirs, spread across far-off places in Madhya Pradesh inhabited by tribal people, have been a one-stop destination for underprivileged children, for years. Supported by the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation, these Seva Kutirs have been taking care of the enrolled children with nutritious food, complementary education, and by engaging them in sports. These children lacked basic amenities for growth and had to traverse long, arduous roads for education. With the coming of the Seva Kutirs, they not only get nutritional food two times a day but also get the scope to flourish with quality education.

In his inning off the field, Sachin Tendulkar has been batting for the development of underprivileged kids through various associations. Apart from his support to the Seva Kutirs by Parivaar Foundation, he has also contributed to building a residential school for the children from the tribal areas in Madhya Pradesh, where they would get the best of health, education, and sports. The school benefits hundreds of children.

Sachin’s association has been fruitful for the young beneficiaries as the Seva Kutirs have acted as a launch pad for them. Twenty of them, including the likes of Pinkee, Sandhya, and Anjali, have recently been selected for admission into the Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS). They have all passed the selection test for Class VI, with flying colours. The Eklavya Schools, set up by the Government of India, cater to candidates from the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.

This news bears tremendous importance in the lives of these young girls and boys and their parents. They all hail from a meagre background with their parents being daily wagers or small farmers. Many of these young girls and boys are the first generation from their families to get an education. For most of them, continuing education after Class VIII becomes a hurdle for various reasons. Getting admission into EMRS is, therefore, a humble milestone in itself in their lives. With hopes in their eyes and determination at every step, they would get a chance to curve their paths.

This has certainly increased the strike rate of the inning Sachin is on, with the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation assisting hundreds of children and youth to get quality education, health, and sports facilities.

Cricket legend and Bharat Ratna Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar on Wednesday began a new innings – as the ‘National Icon’ for voter awareness and education for the Election Commission of India (ECI).

A MoU was signed with the legend for a period of three years at an event organised at Akashvani Rang Bhavan, New Delhi in the presence of Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and Election Commissioners Anup Chandra Pandey and Arun Goel.

Sachin Tendulkar and elections:
This collaboration marks a significant step towards leveraging Tendulkar’s unparalleled impact with the youth demographics for increasing voters’ participation in the forthcoming elections, especially in General Elections 2024. The ECI through this partnership aims to bridge the gap between citizens, especially youth and urban populations and the electoral process thereby, trying to address the challenges of urban and youth apathy.

What does Sachin say?
Sachin, in his role as the National Icon for the ECI, expressed enthusiasm and commitment to the cause, and said that for a vibrant democracy like India, the youth play a key role in nation building. ”The hearts that beat for ‘Team India’ during sports matches, with the unified cheer – ‘India, India!’ shall also beat the same way to take our precious democracy forward. One simple yet most powerful way to do that is to cast our votes regularly,” he said.

He said: ”From thronging stadiums to thronging polling booths, from taking time out to stand by the national team to taking time out to cast our votes, we shall keep up the spirit and enthusiasm. When youth from the nooks and corners of the country participate in large numbers in electoral democracy, we shall see a prosperous future for our country.”

Speaking on the occasion, CEC Rajiv Kumar said that Sachin, an icon revered not only in India but globally, has a legacy that extends far beyond his cricketing prowess. He said Sachin’s illustrious career is a testament to his commitment to excellence, teamwork, and the relentless pursuit of success. His influence transcends sports, making him an ideal choice to bat for ECI and drive up voter turn-outs.

The collaboration will encompass a range of activities, including Tendulkar promoting voter awareness in various TV talk shows/ programs and digital campaigns etc, all aimed at raising awareness about the importance of voting and the role it plays in shaping the nation’s destiny.

The MoU was signed by Sachin Tendulkar at a function in the presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and Minister for Medical Education Girish Mahajan.

The Maharashtra government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sachin Tendulkar appointing the former cricketer as the ‘Smile Ambassador’ for its oral hygiene campaign. The agreement is valid for five years. The campaign is a part of the Indian Dental Association’s push for oral health.

The MoU was signed at a function in the presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and Minister for Medical Education Girish Mahajan.

Deputy CM: Sachin never endorses tobacco products

“While many celebrities are endorsing cancer-causing tobacco products, Sachin never does that. We are thankful to him for being the brand ambassador for our Swachh Mukh Abhiyan (oral hygiene campaign). Our aim is to send the message of oral hygiene to all the people of Maharashtra,” Fadnavis said.

Tendulkar says important to maintain good health

Tendulkar stressed the importance of maintaining good health. “When I was young I used to play many sports. I realised how a disciplined life is crucial to maintaining good health,” he said.

The Bharat Ratna awardee said he was proud to be part of the campaign and thanked the government for associating him with the drive. “Today is a special day for me… I thought that this initiative is so good that I need to be a part of it and contribute to it,” he added.

COLOMBO: Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar pitched for a nutrient-rich diet and quality education for children during his school visits in Sri Lanka where he also teamed up with people impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the country’s worst economic crisis.

Addressing an event, the iconic cricketer, in his role as UNICEF‘s Goodwill Ambassador, said, “Children are the future; if we support them today, they will make us proud tomorrow.”

Tendulkar said he was sorry to know that many households in Sri Lanka can’t afford to give quality and the quantity of food required by children.

“Many children suffer from stunting,” he said at an event hosted by UNICEF.

Tendulkar, 50, was appointed UNICEF Ambassador for South Asia in 2013 to advocate good hygiene and sanitation across the region.

“When I played school matches, the tendency was if I was batting at lunchtime not to have anything to eat. I would have a couple of soft drinks and a bat,” he said.

Tendulkar said he had to prepare differently when the playing standards got better. “This preparation was something I unknowingly ignored,” he said.

The cricketer later learned that not having a proper lunch impacted his view. “I got out after lunch at an important match, and the first thing I wanted to do was to eat,” he said, calling it a big lesson in nutrition.

“Children require a nutrient-rich diet and quality education to reach their full potential. By investing in their education and nutrition, we are not only investing in their future but also every country’s future,” said Tendulkar.

Pointing out that measures have been taken in India to tackle child malnutrition, Tendulkar said, “Something unique has started in India, which is local therapeutic foods, ready-to-eat packages.”

Through his role as a UNICEF Regional Goodwill Ambassador, Tendulkar has been committed to promoting child rights, protection, and development across the South Asian region.

“Children are the best teachers. They help us see (the) wisdom in the simplest of things. In this school situated in a serene Sri Lankan village, we observed compassion towards all beings,” Tendulkar posted on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

“All children take a few portions of food from their plates and keep it on a common plate – which is then served to birds. Such a beautiful thought on sharing, being grateful for our blessings and compassion. Something all of us can emulate,” he said.

On Monday, he visited the UNICEF programmes in the rural Sabaragamuwa province and met with children and parents impacted by the COVID-pandemic and the 2022 economic crisis.

Tendulkar also visited a preschool supported by UNICEF’s midday school meal programme and served children food.
“Every child should have the right to education. It is the foundation for every child,” Tendulkar stressed.

“When you spend time with children, you learn a lot of things”, Tendulkar said, recalling his days as a student and a cricketer. He also urged Sri Lankan children to play sports.

Tendulkar recalled warm memories associated with Sri Lanka during his earlier visits, both as a cricketer and as part of his engagements with UNICEF in 2015, a UNICEF press release said.

His last trip was in 2015 and was made to promote hand washing as a hygienic practice.

Tendulkar said he had been touring Sri Lanka since 1993 and had made many friends here, including Muttiah Muralitharan, the legendary Sri Lanka spinner.

Tendulkar, considered one of the greatest batsmen of all time in cricket, has been associated with UNICEF for over a decade for various causes.

In 2003, he was chosen to take the lead in the initiative to create awareness and promote polio prevention in India, according to UNICEF.

Later in 2008, he was roped in to create and promote hygiene and sanitation among communities and continues to do so over the years.

In 2019, he went on a three-day trip to Nepal to raise awareness for UNICEF Nepal’s ‘Bat for Brain Development’ campaign.

In his almost two-decade-long partnership with UNICEF, Tendulkar has been vital in furthering the campaigns, especially the ones aimed at providing a better future for underprivileged children.

“Together nations can do wonders, and that is the aim of my trip here. A brilliant learning experience for me, thank you so very much, UNICEF,” he said.

As the country’s economy makes gradual recovery, 3.9 million people, including children, are unable to afford adequate food, and 4.8 million children are struggling to keep learning.

COLOMBO/ KATHMANDU, 8 August 2023: Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar visited Sri Lanka in his role as the UNICEF South Asia Regional Goodwill Ambassador. Sachin visited UNICEF programmes in the Sabaragamuwa Province and met with children and parents impacted by the COVID-pandemic and the 2022 economic crisis.

Tendulkar recalled warm memories associated with Sri Lanka during his earlier visits, both as a cricketer and as part of his engagements with UNICEF in 2015. He lauded the efforts of all government and non-government organisations in their efforts towards bringing a positive change despite challenging environments.

During the field mission, Sachin visited a pre-school, supported by UNICEF’s ongoing mid-day school meal programme, and helped serve nutrient-rich food to children. Since August 2022, UNICEF’s midday meal programme has been providing nutritious meals to 50,000 preschool children in nearly 1,400 schools across the country. The meal programme has also helped boost pre-school attendance.

“Children require a nutrient-rich diet and quality education to reach their full potential. By investing in their education and nutrition, we are not only investing in their future but also every country’s future,” said Sachin.

At another school Tendulkar visited, he observed teaching and learning activities for grade 3 children where many students shared their desire to stay in school and follow their dreams. Sachin then joined the senior school girls and boys on the pitch for a game of cricket.

“The children I spoke with, are showing great tenacity, and their hope for a better future remains strong. We need to continue supporting them so they keep achieving their goals,” added Sachin.

Tendulkar also visited families living in plantations, to understand their lives better. As part of the support for economic recovery, UNICEF provided cash transfers to more than 110,000 families with children up to two years of age to buy nutritious foods and other vital supplies needed for their children.

Tendulkar also took time to speak to a group of young people from Sri Lanka, in a close ‘Cricket Catch-Ups’ session during which he shared his experiences growing up, in overcoming obstacles, remaining resilient and focused in pursuing his goal. These young people are a part of the UNICEF-supported Children’s Club network of the Department of Probation and Child Care Services.

Sachin Tendulkar was appointed as the first UNICEF Regional Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia in 2013. Since then, he has been playing a pivotal role in improving the lives of children in South Asia.

Sachin Tendulkar has been an advocate of women’s empowerment through sports for along time.

Sonali Sorenearned a call-up to a national training camp organised by the All India Football Federation camp for U-20 girls in Chennai last month.

Hailing from a poor tribal family in the Kalna region of east Burdwan, she had very few resources to continue her passion. But her dreams became a reality thanks to the support from the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation (STF).

The cricket maestro learnt about the plight of several girls of her ilk from Shreeja India, an NGO, and tied up with its Dhatrigram centre in mid-2022 as part of its ‘Football and Beyond’ programme.

Around 250 girls from 55 villages are enrolled under this sports-based education programme aimed at eradicating gender inequality and ensuring girls lead a life of dignity. The NGO also runs a similar facility in Birbhum.

“Shreeja India believes that sports (football) can be used as a powerful tool to engage, educate, enrich and thereby empower girls,” Somasree Basu, programme manager of Shreeja India, told The Telegraph.

“We are extremely grateful to STF for becoming our partner in this journey to empower girls. We especially want to thank his wife Anjali ji for being actively involved in assuring that every girl here gets wholesome nutritious food every single day,” Basu said.

The initiative provides intensive football coaching and out-of-school learning to the girls, who need support inbreaking away from evils of the society, including early marriage.

Tendulkar has been an advocate of women’s empowerment through sports for along time. STF supports the football programme which includes training, jerseys, nutritional support, education and other requirements.

“STF especially focuses on their nutrition. All the girls are served nutritious food every day,” Basu said.

Mumbai – With an aim to empower young students, Spreading Happiness InDiya Foundation (SHIF), a non-profit collaboration between cricketing icon Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar and Schneider Electric India is on a mission to provide access to digital education in more than 150 Rural Indian schools by 2025 under the SMITA Program. Through this association, they also aim to introduce the concept of Digi Green wherein they will provide access to digital education infrastructure powered by solar energy and create awareness among the children of the country about the conservation of energy and the environment.

The world is at the cusp of unfathomable risk due to the effects of climate change. Thus, it is critical that sustainable solutions are adopted at every step of the way, be it at a corporate level or at an individual scale. This requires a shift in mindset and an acknowledgment of our current times that is massively impacted by the ongoing climate crisis. Addressing two issues with a single solution, Spreading Happiness InDiya Foundation has come up with an innovative concept of solar-powered “Digi Green” classrooms that use the latest technologies to conduct virtual training for students. Through this seamless combination of solar energy and technology, the “Digi Green” classrooms are eco-forward and help save money for schools in terms of running costs, while also providing virtual training modes to optimize learning outcomes. Since these classrooms are run completely on solar power, it has a ‘net-zero’ carbon footprint, further enabling the schools to earn carbon credits.

Sharing his thoughts on the Digi Green program, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar said, “Our goal through Spreading Happiness InDiya Foundation is to provide access to digital education to students in rural schools while creating awareness among them on the absolute need to build a ‘sustainable future’. This initiative is our contribution towards helping create a better world through responsible, aware, and active citizens of the future. Through Digi Green, we are leveraging the power of digital technologies to bring parity amongst rural and urban students in terms of access to modern means of education.”

To date, SHIF has supported 14,593 students from 81 schools across 6 districts in Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka under the SMITA program. In FY 22-23, the foundation plans to implement this initiative and set up Digi Green classrooms in 35 Rural Government Schools across different states of India benefiting more than 8,000 students.

Access to quality education is the main driver for the development of society. Emphasizing the need to develop modern education infrastructure, Anil Chaudhry, Zone President, India and CEO & MD, Schneider Electric India Pvt. Ltd.-, said, “We believe that access to energy and digital is a basic human right. It is imperative for all of us to come together to create a meaningful impact on the lives of the children by creating awareness about the conservation of energy and the environment. Through our collaboration with Spreading Happiness, we have created equal opportunities for children, even in remote areas, by providing an advanced learning infrastructure through Digi Green, powered by clean solar energy. We are delighted to be a part of this initiative with Mr. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar to prepare and sensitize our next generation on climate change and sustainability.”

Under the Digi Green Program, students are also provided with an interactive learning program on Environment and Energy conservation wherein they are not only made aware of the judicious utilization of resources but are also made ‘Green Ambassadors’ to take the cause forward in society. Students and Teachers have been trained on various Environment & Energy Conservation topics through interactive sessions, ultimately making them Green Ambassadors. To further the cause of sustainability, more than 8000 saplings have been planted by the students.

Sport inculcates in us the spirit to fight back after a loss, and never give up. This Republic Day, let us wish for a tomorrow where we value failures, and grow to achieve the best for us and India.

When neighbourhood parks resonate with the cheers of children playing a friendly (but serious) cricket match against the setting sun, parents take delight in watching their children play. When their child’s team wins, they celebrate. But even when their child’s team loses, they console and support them. In sport, it is not just success that matters. Equally important is how one deals with loss or failure — when one has to come back and play again the next day, with the same enthusiasm and energy.

Sport has always been an integral part of our country, with a history that goes back a thousand years. The precursors of chess, the ultimate game of strategy, are said to have originated in India. We have been world champions in disciplines as diverse as cricket, hockey, kabaddi, chess, wrestling, badminton, billiards, and more. But there have been times when we have also lost, only to rise again and play to win another day.

This sense of not giving up in the face of adversity inculcates in us a fighting spirit, indomitable by failures. In today’s hyper-competitive world where we are judged by success, we must not forget the importance of failure and the lessons we can learn from it. We all have a right to fail, and there cannot be a better domain to understand its significance than sport. Sport is the greatest teacher of perseverance and determination in the face of repeated failure.

Last year, India fell in love with a “new game”, lawn bowls, as Rupa Rani Tirkey, Pinki, Nayanmoni Saikia and Lovely Choubey brought home the first Commonwealth Games medal in the sport for India. The four of them had started playing in different disciplines. They would have lost a few games in their career and won many times, but they never gave up. They got together to play a sport that was new to them and not known to many. It is this perseverance that helped them achieve success and emerge triumphant. It is this tenacity of spirit that sport brings to an individual.

In a society hardwired to succeed, it is difficult to stay motivated all the time. Everyone has their share of self-doubt and disappointment stemming from failures, but we need to understand that while success may not be guaranteed, we still need to continue playing the game. We must recognise the value of trying without being afraid to try new things. Sport can help us change a fearful mindset to one that is open to any new challenge.

A Mirabai Chanu may fall short of lifting a medal-winning weight once, a PV Sindhu may miss a match-winning shot, a Bajrang Punia may find his grip slipping in a final, a Mary Kom may mistime a knockout punch, and a Virat Kohli may return to the pavilion without scoring. But each one of them returns to the arena, to the court, to the field, to the ring, to try once more, to give their best for themselves — for their team and for their country.

Every champion has their moment of doubt, the occasion for failure, and share of misfortune. However, what is important is their reaction and response to the situation and learning from it to come back stronger. In the end, this is all that counts. India has a large pool of talent across different disciplines. With significant reforms and infrastructure development, the possibilities are endless as we groom the champions of tomorrow. The upcoming inaugural women’s Indian Premier League, for instance, will give youngsters scope to prove their mettle on the world stage.

Tapping talent at the grassroots level and giving them a supportive environment where they can learn, try, fail and triumph are of paramount importance. The hunger for victory has to be balanced by the ability to accept failure with a positive attitude. The lessons that failures teach us to amplify the significance of the next big win and instill resilience. This value of accepting failures as they come, if inculcated at a young age, can open the door to a promising and sustainable future.

Sport is a great leveller. It gives us the freedom to find an avenue to express ourselves, choose to do what we enjoy, and utilise our capabilities to the fullest. Be it a narrow miss at the goal, an “out at 99” in cricket, a defeat in a World Cup final, or an early exit from a league, failures prepare us for victories ahead.

This Republic Day, as we gather to honour our Constitution and the rights it gives us, let us also celebrate our journey through the years, moving forward despite the obstacles, trying, failing occasionally, but most importantly, bouncing back stronger with the collective strength of all citizens working together as a team. Let us wish for a tomorrow where we value failures, learn and grow to achieve the best for us, as well as for the nation.

Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar is former captain of the Indian cricket team The views expressed are personal