Bangalore :
A mother’s wish to meet Sachin Tendulkar ended in the entire Indian team snacking at a modest house in Hubli at an impromptu get-together.
Former India ‘A’ and Karnataka stumper Avinash Vaidya was keen that his mother Meenaxi Vaidya had a glimpse of Sachin Tendulkar when he played a benefit match in Hubli on June 4, 1997.
“Since it was a once-in-a life time opportunity for anybody from my region to meet cricket stars, my mother expressed desire to have a glimpse of India’s favourite son,” Vaidya told TOI. “She came to the stadium to watch the match, but returned due to the rush. The stadium was packed beyond its capacity. I was keeping wickets, while Sachin was blazing his way to a big innings. During the drinks break, I was told my mother had gone home. I asked Sachin if I could get my mother to the hotel lobby to meet him.”
Sachin didn’t say much then. He was about to retire from the game after scoring a century and ready to return to the hotel. He asked Vaidya to give him a call after the game.
“I was pleasantly shocked when he told me it wouldn’t look nice asking my mother to come to meet him. ‘Instead, why don’t we go to your home?’ he asked. I was stumped as it wouldn’t have been fair to take Sachin alone as I was good friends with others — Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman , Saba Karim, Atul Bedade, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, Venkatesh Prasad, Sunil Joshi and Sujith Somasundar. The team comprised 15-18 players and I invited everyone home without even thinking how I was going to accommodate them in our humble 12ftx10ft hall,” said Vaidya, recalling those days.
‘The moment lingered long after Sachin left’
Even as the convoy set out from the hotel to our home at Hemanth Nagar, Keshavapur, a distance of about 3km, my brother borrowed a few chairs from our neighbours even as our friend at Woodlands managed to prepare uppittu and shira for our guests,” said Vaidya.
Curious onlookers and fans followed the bus to Vaidya’s home around 5.30pm, with police forming a tight ring of security around the players.
“Sachin was relaxed as he happily chatted with my family. He enjoyed the uppittu and chutney pudi the most. We were transfixed as he spent around one hour with us. When it was time for a photo session, Sachin grabbed a chair and ensured my mother was seated. “I’d rather stand,” he said. When she thanked him for the visit, he said, “Maaji, aap baas hamey ashirwad deejiye.”
My mother was emotional as she wished him well. The moment lingered long after Sachin and others left.”
On another occasion, Vaidya’s son Anmol, who was five years old then, was so thrilled at getting Sachin’s autograph that he wanted to reciprocate by signing one. “Sachin coolly offered his palm and let my son scribble on it,” says Vaidya.
Vaidya’s association with Sachin was limited to his playing days in the Challenger Trophy and a Duleep Trophy game at Rajkot in the 1993-94 season. “I spent long hours at the crease in both innings to get chatting with Sachin. Since then, he has always been cordial and never failed to acknowledge me at any gathering. It’s this humility that has endeared him to millions. I’m touched and lucky to be one of them,” says Vaidya.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bangalore> Rahul Dravid / by V Narayan Swamy, TNN / November 09th, 2013