Amitabh Bachchan's Official Blog

DAY 1571

Jalsa , Mumbai Aug 6/7, 2012 Mon/Tue 1 : 01 AM

Pawan Pipalwa .. this is your birthday today on the 6th and we all wish you the very best. May all your wishes come true and may you ever be filled with happiness .. love ..

Anchoring a program for CnNIBN with Rajdeep Sardesai at the Filmistan Studios - The Greatest Indian after the Mahatma, and filled with pride and accomplishment of the ones chosen and voted for - Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, AP Kalam, JRD Tata, Indira Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Lata Mangeshkar, Sachin Tendulkar, Atal Bihari Vajpai, BR Ambedkar, Sardar Patel .. the top ten voted for by over a billion voters … and the decision taken by a panel forming the jury to nominate the Greatest, in the presence of Madhuri Dixit, Shabana Azmi, Harsha Bhogle and the orchestra and singing of the great Kailash Kher .. nothing could have given me greater honor. Learning about these stalwarts in their fields, their contribution towards society and the country, the little and interesting anecdotes connected with them and what other greats thought of them. In all a most substantial evening, one that is not encountered often ..

And while we talk of the past and present greats for the program, some achievements on the Olympic arena are having their own greatness. Mary Kom from Manipur in the Far East region of India has won her boxing bout against a difficult opponent and is now sure of at least winning a medal for the country. Mary Kom has had an amazing life and her story is such a fairy tale, it would be difficult to imagine what all she went through to get where she is today. A Mother of two, taking up Boxing for India and coming out victorious is nothing short of miraculous. How she lived in meagre circumstances and without any support from any sporting agencies, either private of State, she emerged through shear will power and love for boxing to be a medal winner in the London 2012 Olympics … salutations and respect and a prayer for her to continue her victories in the days to come ..

But the most poignant moment came at the end of the program when all the above children came up to join in for the National Anthem .. they are all physically challenged … all deaf and dumb ! Look at the smiles on their faces, despite their challenges, the confidence and happiness and the joy that they exuded, never to be looked upon as ones to have pity over, was amazing ! And … the lady that teaches them is herself in similar condition .. she being the one that trained Rani and me for ‘Black’ .. meeting her after the release of the film … life takes a circle all the time !

Filled with patriotic surge came home to spend time with the ‘little one’, taking her for a little ride on a scooty - a small battery run wheel chair almost, that I was using to transport myself when I was having difficulty with my movements soon after my surgery ! A guttural sound of approval from her followed by an attempt to maneuver the steering, soon brought the operation to an end !

It was sports thereafter and a plucky loss by our boxer Vijender to a world champion, after a well fought fight. Our medals tally though minimal and almost unknown is gradually increasing over the years, and it is wonderful to see India being associated with certain disciplines that were never there on our radar before ! For me though the mere participation of an athlete irrespective of whether he or she wins or not is sufficient material to keep me interested. Climaxing of course, when after the results are out, to the victory stand and the playing and raising the flag of the winning country. Its goose bumps time when ever I see that, and I can well imagine the uncontrollable tears that flow out at times such as these from the athletes ! There is something about the flag, the anthem that brings on these emotions - a passionate feel of belonging and respect to the country and all that it means to us …

Goodness its past the hour of 4 am .. I must to bed and shall be with you in the morning !

My love and my apologies for not having an audio tonight ..

Amitabh Bachchan