It is now 5 days since India won the world cup. My heart is still full of pride and enormous joy. I have been reflecting on what makes this victory so very special and why I feel so good about it. For me the most brilliant aspect of this victory is that the final was won by the GenNext. Gautam, Dhoni and Virat won it for us with their batting and Yuvraj and Raina with their fielding. At 31 for 2, I had written our team off. But, the determination and good sense with which Gautam and Virat played defied belief. And finally, what an innings from Dhoni!! Out of form and under tremendous pressure, he took risks and played the innings of his life at the biggest stage of them all.
This performance is unlike us. We are the good guys who have talent but can’t win at the big stage. We have intent but can’t handle pressure. We play well but can’t land the knock out punch. Thankfully, the young India is different. They have tremendous self-belief and are fearless. They are not conditioned by past failures. They are not limited by history. They are not daunted by reputations or the big stage. They want to win and have the self-belief that they will. They are fearless and take risks. They may come from small towns but are totally at home at the big stage. This generation is different. They are special. They are BORN TO WIN!!!
This GenNext is great news for the country. Centuries of foreign subjugation and past decades of limited economic means had sucked out the self-belief and spirit from our national character. The recent generations have worked very hard but perhaps not got their place in the sun. However, the tide is turning. The GenNext knows no fear. They have ambition and self-belief and just go for it. And, this is not just about cricket. Look around us. We can see the influence of this generation in the workplace and the society around us. Over the past few days, we have been fortunate to see the sparking of the remarkable “India Against Corruption” movement. Anna Hazare is the inspirational leader and face of the movement. However, it is the Facebook generation that is helping build momentum and trying to make it a real revolution. And, I have no doubt that they will succeed!!!
Friends, let’s suspend disbelief and past limiting mindsets. Let us encourage and support the young generation. Let us give wind to their sails, so they can explore newer and bigger horizons. Moreover, let their enthusiasm and spirit rub on us and we march together in step with them. I am sure our country is close to a new and beautiful dawn. Let us together make it happen!!
Jai Hind!!
