SON OF THE SOIL

We have often heard the phrase, "a true son of the soil"- something said to appreciate a person's service to his nation, to his people, to his soil. Many times, they are people who do yeoman service to others, or just raise the name of the nation before the world, by skill or by power. Thousands of people could qualify for this, but today I will focus on the one name which crops up in my mind when you mention a country...

Romania- Perhaps, not a son.. but the most famous daughter of Romania, NADIA COMANECI was the first and only person to do a perfect 10 in gymnastics. She achieved this rare feat at the 1976 Olympics at Montreal, and she got 10.0 as her overall score- flawless victory! Her technique and precision is quite unmatched, as you will see HERE. She is the single name which comes up when Romania is mentioned, and the MOST FAMOUS of Romania's daughters- Nadia Comaneci. Daughter of the soil rating: 10/10

Ukraine- Talk of steam rolling, or absolute dominance in a sport and none can even come remotely close to SERGEI BUBKA, the pole vaulter who leapt to new height over and over again. In fact, he broke the world record for 35 times- mostly breaking his own previous world records! Apart from the many awards and honours he received his absolute dominance of the sport should serve as the best prize yet. The most gifted and talented sportsperson Ukraine had ever produced- Sergei Bubka. Son of the soil rating: 9/10

Argentina- Argentina has become synonymous with DIEGO MARADONA, and his soccer skills- he rose to tremendous heights in the late 80s; won the world cup in 1986; had a glittering career and inspired fellow Argentines to great successes in many fields, not just sport. He was an inspiration to them. However, this son of Argentina slowly fell from grace and although passionate about his sport, drug abuse and other scandals tarnished his image. Yet, he still remains the face of Argentina. Son of the soil rating: 7/10

Mongolia- A son born to a Mongol chieftain rose to be one of the greatest conquerors of all times. Temujin, or GENGHIS KHAN was the undisputed leader of north Asia. Starting out from Mongolia, he united all the tribes one by one, and amassed a great army and a blood thirsty campaign of aggression. His empire spread far and wide, engulfing all countries in his path. Modern day politics and nation boundaries in north, north-east and central Asia are the result of his campaigns. Historians debate on the negatives of the great Khan, but it is beyond a shrek of doubt that Genghis Khan was one of history's greatest rulers and warriors. And even today he is regarded as a hero of Mongolia. Son of the soil rating: 8/10

United States of America- A free nation, a melting pot of cultures, the trend-setting nation... USA has seen a large number of people who have made it into the dream that it is today. It is really difficult to pick up one defining person in bigger countries as there are many and opinions vary. Nevertheless, one of my favourite persons from the USA was THOMAS ALVA EDISON. He is the hardworking shrewd man who found an answer for almost every practical problem. His light bulb invention has lit up the whole world, and opened up new possibilities in life. Not unnerved when he failed 2000 times before he invented light bulb, he simply stated "It is a 2000 step process, I've found 2000 techniques which would not work". His contribution to science is unbelievable. He has 1093 U.S. patents, which greatly influenced the way of life ever since- some of them greatly technical like the Phonograph while some of them are greatly useful, like the telegraph! He paved way for the American dream. Son of the soil rating: 10/10

Belgium- Belgium produced a great son, who gave the comic world the tufty-haired adventurous reporter Tintin. GEORGES PROSPER REMI or HERGE was the creator of the Tintin series of books. His contribution to the world of comics is quite fascinating, and he still strongly influences comic art all over the world especially in Europe. His earlier works were strongly influenced by the European missionaries and imperialism. The characters evolved slowly as each book progressed, resulting in a series of wonderful, fascinating, entertaining comic books, Tintin. Son of the soil rating: 8/10.

(Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norkay atop Mt. Everest.)

All those illustrous people who did extraordinary things have been regarded as sons of the soil. This posting is just to honour a son of the soil, who passed away recently. New Zealand's most greatest son was the conqueror of mount Everest. The Pacific island nation's most blessed progeny EDMUND HILLARY, was the one who "knocked the bastard off" when he ascended on the top of the world, literally. The odds he defied to scale Everest were truly herculean, and he stretched human endurances and determination to new heights. He also headed to Antartica on another expedition into wilderness. He was one of the greatest explorers of all time. The welfare of many Nepali families and communities were taken care of by Sir Edmund Hillary after the Everest conquest to this day, and Sherpa community has been plunged into gloom following his demise. The Indian Government awarded the second highest civilian award, Padma Vibushan to Hillary posthumously this year. Son of soil rating: 10/10

SACHIN IS GOD, GOD IS SACHIN

In SCG, or Sachin Cricket Ground in Australia, the Lord has manifested Himself in all His splendour (vishwa rupa). That he was compared with Don is illogical to me: who can compare a mere superhuman with God Himself? In deeming the best among equals, Sachin Tendulkar is a loner- for none is even remotely on par with Tendulkar.

(Copyright: sachin-tendulkar.net)

Sometimes I stooped to wonder if Sachin Tendulkar is a mortal after all- a low and cruel thought, after his so-called "lean" patch in 2005-2006. All such doubts were dispelled in 2007 when God came back and created another record of sorts, like only Tendulkar can, of getting out in the 90s. Seven scores in the 90s in the latter half of 2007, and God has given His subjects plenty of breathtaking stroke play and class and also plenty to yearn for.

Like a child crying for mother's milk, like a lover who yearns for his beloved, like the devotee who seeks union with the Almighty, billions of faithful supporters from all over the world were expecting a statistical three-figure landmark. And billions were rewarded pleasantly as they woke up Friday morning to turn on their TV sets to learn one thing: their God has blessed them. And indeed so. I have been blessed and privileged to be in the stadium when God knocked the wind out of the Australians in Chennai, a few years back. The pure bliss when God hits a century is something inexplicable. I relived that moment once again yesterday when God smacked a regal 154 at Sydney. An innings of pure brilliance, and it was sheer poetry in motion! Nothing, not even the midnight hour could stop me from letting out a big roar and clapping profusely when I saw Sachin reach the three figure mark. And like me, crores of people all over the world had experienced bliss.

One God saluting another (Copyright: Cricinfo.com, Getty Images)

I am quite unabashed when I say this: I STILL turn off my TV after Sachin leaves- a phenomenon surprisingly common across the Indian milieu, for over 18 years. He truly is God personified, and only God has the divine force to drive a nation of billion people. Not that a century really matters- as I said earlier, it is just a statistical figure. But right throughout his career, Sachin has displayed nonpareil class and technique. He was the gifted idol, the wonder-boy who appeared all those years back, and he has become so entwined with Indian society and lifestyle of today that it is impossible to associate India without Sachin, without God.

Many times I have sat down to write this blog, and many times I have failed. Its not because of my lack of ability but it is the greatness of the little master which leaves me in awe. But I needn't find "words" to describe Him. After I die, I will go to heaven and see God, till then I will settle for Sachin, screams a banner at a match. It is His presence which drives a billion people's happiness and peace; a nation's euphoria; the mirth of the masses; Indian psyche is run and fuelled by just one soul. And that is God personified. That is our little master. That is Sachin Tendulkar.

A banner at SCG: "Commit all your crimes when Sachin is batting. They will go unnoticed for even Lord is watching."