In India, Cricket is revered like a religion with Sachin Tendulkar as its presiding deity.  In the cricketing realm, Sachin holds a place next to the all-time great, Sir Don Bradman of Australia.  Standing at a diminutive height of 165cm (5ft 5in), Sachin also known as the “Little Master,” has left behind numerous records on the cricket field. Adoration for Sachin extends beyond his sporting achievements to his dignified conduct off the field. His fiftieth birthday fell on April 24, 2023, celebrated with great fanfare across India, particularly in his hometown of Mumbai.

Sachin Tendulkar is an icon and a role model for young people and his remarkable rise to success could be a text book lesson for the young. To gain insight into his exceptional life, both as a professional and as an individual we need not look further than his own words spoken during his farewell speech at the Wankhede Cricket Stadium , Mumbai on November 16, 2013. In that well-prepared 20-minute speech, he thanked everyone who contributed to his success, with his father Ramesh Tendulkar being the first and most important person he mentioned.

 In Sachin’s’ words: “ My father gave me freedom at the age of 11, and told me that [I should] chase my dreams, but make sure you do not find shortcuts. The path might be difficult but don’t give up, and I have simply followed his instructions. Above all, he told me to be a nice human being, which I will continue to do and try my best (to be).”

In the above statement, there are five valuable life lessons for both young individuals and parents

1. At the tender age of 11, Sachin had a dream which may have been inspired by the Indian cricket team’s historic World Cup victory in 1983, led by Kapil Dev. The depiction of this epochal triumph in the feature film ‘1983’, shows Sachin watching the match, perhaps cementing his aspirations. It is crucial for young individuals to have a dream or goal for their lives as early as possible. However, our education system, with its emphasis on rote learning and hectic schedules, often fails to provide the space and time for them to do so. Instead, parents, who may be overly anxious for their children’s future, often project their own unfulfilled dreams onto their offspring, instead of allowing them to discover their own passions and set their own goals. It is important to empower youngsters to identify their own interests and pursue their own aspirations.

2. Sachin’s father was a college professor, and I find it challenging to comprehend how he allowed his son to pursue his dream, even if it meant potentially failing his school final exam. It’s worth considering that if Sachin’s father had not permitted him to pursue his passion, the world may have never seen the emergence of a legend. Once the youngsters set their dream/ goal for life, the parents should let go the youngsters to pursue them.  This may be easy when the children’s goals are to the liking of the parents. But difficult when it is otherwise. As Khalil Gibran in his poem ‘on Children’ says: (children) dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams. …. seek not to make them like you.”

3. Sachin was advised to pursue his dreams, even though the journey would be arduous. Realizing a dream always requires a struggle. He had to relentlessly strive for his goal. Sachin made his debut for India in test matches at the young age of 16 and holds the record for being the youngest Indian to do so. Thus, his dream of playing for India was materialised at a tender age. However,  he continued to practice tirelessly, which allowed him to play for India for 24 years and set numerous records in the cricket world. While many players have come and gone, struggling to find their footing, Sachin stands out as a towering figure who reached the pinnacle through unwavering hard work and dedication.

4. Sachin’s father explicitly instructed him to avoid taking shortcuts on the path towards his goals. Young people often seek easy way out, whether it’s to pass an exam, land a job, get fame or to get rich. They want to reach their dream as early as possible, disregarding the means used. The potential pitfalls of taking shortcuts, is that they often lead to unethical and immoral means.

5. According to Sachin’s father, the ultimate goal in life is to be a kind and good human being. A nice human being is someone who conducts themselves with integrity, has a positive impact on others, and is well-liked and respected. Sachin has wholeheartedly followed his father’s advice, which has contributed to his success. This emphasises the priority in ones life. As social beings, it’s crucial that we prioritize becoming well-rounded individuals in whatever profession we pursue. Developing a personality based on character and integrity, should be of the utmost importance to us.

It’s important to allow the younger generation to discover their passion as early as possible and receive parental support in pursuing their goals, while also keeping in mind that the ultimate goal in life is to become a well-formed individual who earns respect from others.

May Sachin’s life story serve as an inspiration for young people to aspire for great heights and perspire to achieve them. Above all, may the youngsters grow up to be nice human beings.

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To watch Sachin delivering his farewell speech click here