Every Eklavya must have a mentor

Sanjeev Trikha

Life disseminates its aromatic hues when it gets coupled with any purpose. One of my students, a passionate cricketer, played under me for a couple of years during college time. The zeal, the dedication and the burning desire to excel oozed out of his mannerism on and off the field. He nurtured his passion diligently and kept the flame in him burning. His hard work started showing results. He began to get noticed by persons who mattered in the game at a higher level. But suddenly, due to some harsh turn of events at home, he had to shun plans of pursuing his career in the sport and got totally involved in family responsibilities. I was disappointed that he was unable to achieve what he deserved and aspired for.

A few days ago, I heard that a man trains his 10-year-old son in the nets with high-end facilities. My curiosity took me to that place, where I found to my astonishment the same boy, now a proud father, busy firing cricket balls with a bowling machine at his prodigy with all dedication. I stood there with a distinct kind of pride, enjoying the Arjuna in the son and Dronacharya in the father. I was delighted to find my student regaining the lost purpose in his son. I heartily blessed them and prayed that they

enjoy this journey.

Deeply engrossed in my thoughts, I noticed a boy who was hired for picking the scattered balls. The poor boy, perhaps the son of an employee working for my student, was doing the job assigned to him with utmost zeal and passion. He was subtly getting engaged in the bowling action without releasing the ball. His action soothed my eyes in the first instance. ‘Do you also want to play?’ I asked him. ‘Nahin-nahin, mein to bus aise hi kar raha tha,’ was his nervous reply. His bright eyes, which perhaps were nurturing many dreams, seemed to be telling me that all this was not destined for him. But I have tried to learn it through seeing. The desire could not be concealed, as the glitter in his eyes spoke for itself. Once again, my heart prayed for him. But who would be his Dronacharya? The question deeply disturbed me. His poverty, his hardships, his compulsions that have brought him here and sowed the seeds of interest would be his Dronacharya and would teach him to be a fighter, I tried to console myself. Eklavya, who learnt the valuable lessons on his own, very pleasingly made an appearance on the canvas of my mind. I earnestly hoped that this Eklavya’s Dronacharya would not sinfully claim his thumb and rob him of his dreams.

I took my leave, with divine wishes and prayers for not only the Arjunas and their Dronacharyas, but for all the Eklavyas, too, who are nurturing their respective ambitions.

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