Amitabh Bachchan's Official Blog

DAY 1573

Jalsa , Mumbai Aug 8, 2012 Wed 11 : 45 PM

There is an observation that most of the medal winners in the Olympics from countries other than China and Africa, are athletes that have Chinese or African origins .. hmmm ..

Sorry for continuing with sport and Olympics, but it is difficult to keep away from historic moments that unfold in front of your eyes. What also unfolds is the spirit of competition, of fighting for excellence against the other and in the end an acceptance of the qualities with which the opposition scored over them. This is not just a matter of supremacy and skill, it is a living example of life too - fight for your position fairly, and accept fairly, defeat if overcome by skill.

The efforts made, the amount of time spent in the training and preparation and eventually when success comes your way, that burst of emotion. Some of the athletic giants too, possessing the finest of bodies and the elegance of the perfect human structure, breaking down in a flood of tears, or simply screaming out their enthusiasm for the entire world to hear, for they have undoubtedly become the most superior human in the universe.

And those that face defeat, what of them ? Heartbreaking moments. Some allowing themselves to never be able to come out of defeat, some defying decision and determined to come again to achieve what they may have missed out.

What I have admired in our athletes this turn is their will to excel and not give up tamely. Our boys and girls have trained and prepared under extreme circumstances. they have come from humble beginnings, with little or no facility to pursue what they are passionate about. They have been denied the excellence of what other sportmen and women have been given by other countries. When we shall look after our men and women, materially, mentally and with resource, I can guarantee that there will be potential to challenge the very best in the world. But first, there has to be a mind set among those that patronize these youngsters, or at least profess that they do, on what the importance of such activity will mean. Sports and entertainment are but two of the most important entities that bring notice of your nation to the rest of the world. They are the two yardsticks that determine your presence and an identity, other than your political, geographical and historical standing. I do not know whether this is good for the country or not, but certainly a parallel culture exists that has become more noticeable.

A Sachin or a Lata Mangeshkar shall find preference over many other entities that are governed by protocol and governance. So is that really not comprehensible ? I would like to believe any identification in whatever field for the nation, would be acceptable and be the cause for great pride and value. When neighboring countries admit that they have everything that we have except the Taj Mahal and a Lata Mangeshkar, you understand the valued contribution that the artist has garnered, for the country. When these entities have become the idols and icons for others to identify our nation with, surely looking after many more such, would be of high concern for a country. That is what is sorely being missed and that is something that must be encouraged. If ever there were to be a plan of execution to propagate such thought, and if my assistance were to be desired, I would be the first to volunteer in that effort. I may not have the capacity to initiate such a movement, but if it were to be designed and managed by competent authority and if my services were sought I would be the first to join in.

I have been meeting Ef from different walks of life and destination, and am overwhelmed to observe their dedication towards this platform that we have so carefully maintained. Their humility, their willingness to be of assistance and help by any other, the readiness with which they all come together independently, simply because they are from the same house so to say, is a marvel by itself. It gives me such joy to observe the level of friendship that dwells amongst us. At a time in history when all that you see about you is destruction and battle and violent methodologies, it is a joy to find an oasis of peace and calm and genuine love affection and care amongst all of the extended family. My pride is not in the numbers that assemble, but the quality of the people that assemble.

Thank you for this. No one cared or gave any prominence to this operation in its early stages. Cynicism and snide comments were the call of the day. But we have jointly overcome all the garbage that was thrown at us in the most civil and mature manner. And we shall continue to do this in the days and years to come.

I am finding an early end to this material tonight and with the hope of defeating the clock before it strikes 4 AM ! I need to improve my timings, not just for myself but for those that show anxiety. Shalini from Allahabad feels that it is ruinous for my health. She is right and I shall improve on that. She also feels that the late posts are the cause of losing those that come here to the Blog from India, due to a delayed timing and which then reflects in the numbers. I shall be conscious of both.

For the moment then it is good night .. and shubh ratri !!

My love,

Amitabh Bachchan