A Book That Reflects The Inner '' UNHEALING WOUNDS " Of
Sportsman Of India
Not complete compendium of ideas but rather
as fragments:
Initially, there was merely a collection of
sparks—transient ideas, faint echoes of forgotten encounters, and sepia-toned
memories preserved like old telegrams. The editor's desk is seldom a place of
tranquility; it is where chaos arrives and order must be invoked with
deliberation, wisdom, and instinct. This book did not present itself as a
complete compendium of ideas but rather as fragments: some noted napkins,
others whispered during midnight conversations, many residing in the depths of
memory, awaiting revival. It commenced as a yearning, an insistent desire to do
justice to Indian sports, not solely through statistics but through spirit and
narrative.
Constellation Arranged - ::
The sparks danced,
dispersed, and occasionally resisted ignition. Yet, I, the modest bearer of the
pen, endeavored to gather these glimmers and arrange them into a
constellation—not merely a volume but a living archive. The creation of this
volume was akin to alchemy. It was an endeavor not only in writing but also in
transformation. What is the role of an editor, if not to channel chaos into
coherence, to impart melody to cacophony? This was not merely a project, it was
a pilgrimage. The nights were long and the lamps flickered frequently.
Sleepless vigils were maintained over commas and clauses; dawns broke with the
editor's fingers stained with ink and spirit. There were days when the burden
seemed heavier than the reward, but I was guided by a profound conviction that
these stories held significance—not merely as records of achievements, but as
windows into our national identity. Each story necessitated choices—not only
regarding what to include but also how to honor, how to interpret, and how to
lend voice without overshadowing its essence. I made these choices with the
heart as my compass and the past as my guide.
Every Chapter Is A “ RITUAL” Space - ::
The essence of
this work resides in its sections, each not merely a chapter but a ritual
space. Section I, "Legacy of East Bengal Football Club," is not
merely an introduction; it is a tribute to origins, an invocation of legacy.
East Bengal is no ordinary club. Born in the shadows of partition, it is woven
with threads of resilience, migration, defiance, and enduring hope. To
speak of East Bengal is to speak of the soil, sweat, and spirit of those who
refuse to let geography dictate destiny. Here, we recount the tale
of the "famous five" who stood between glory and
ruin, and how a singular slap, more eloquent than any speech, altered not only
fate but philosophy. These are not merely events; they are sacred football
folklore texts.
Narratives Of Collective Determination - ::
Section II,
"Triumphs in Indian Hockey and Cricket," presents a narrative of
significant achievements and resilient comebacks. This section marks the
transition of India from a mere participant to a leading figure on the global
stage. It recounts pivotal moments that redefined the nation's sporting
identity: the disciplined approach that led to India's victory in the 1975
Hockey World Cup, the remarkable journey of the 1983 cricket team that defied
expectations, and the lesser-known, yet equally significant, football medal of
1970. These victories were not solely demonstrations of skill; they were
narratives of collective determination symbolizing liberation from the remnants
of colonial inadequacy. Each chapter serves as a call to action, testament to
defiance, and triumph forged through effort.
The “ REFLECTIVE ” Chores - ::
In Section III,
"Transformative Figures in Indian Sports," serves as the reflective
core of this volume. It aims to provide a profound understanding rather than
merely adulation. In Debashish Roy, we observe a figure of rebirth, not just a
footballer. The chronicles of Indian crickets’ crucial moments reveal a
transformative process — how failures were converted into successes and how
mistakes became foundational strategies. The Hi-Fi Five Coach is portrayed not
merely as a mentor, but as a visionary, bridging the gap between India's past
and its potential future. Dhyan Chand, the field's magician, remains a poignant
reminder of national forgetfulness. His exclusion from the Bharat Ratna is not
merely bureaucratic oversight; it is a reflection of cultural amnesia. This
section poses critical questions: what do we choose to remember? Who is honored
and forgotten?
Rich Tapestries , Revolutions and Revelations
- ::
Section IV,
"Icons and Legends of Indian Sports," is a rich tapestry of
rivalries, revolutions, and revelations. It spans decades, yet remains
timeless. The contest between P. K. Banerjee and Amal Dutta was not merely a
tactical battle — it was a dialectic of ideologies, with passion confronting
precision. The overlooked achievements of pre-independence shuttlers and test
cricketers are unearthed here as hidden treasures, not for nostalgia but for
justice. The Golden Jubilees documented here are akin to brass lamps
illuminating the temple of memory, each flickering with both glory and sorrow.
We revisit Harringay Arena, Madras, Port of Spain, and Lords, not as mere
visitors, but as pilgrims reclaim sacred ground.
FALL CAN BE A CATALYST FOR RE – INVENTION -
::
Section V,
"Moments of Glory and Adversity," represents the turbulence preceding
and following calm. In this paradox, the 42 out that Wadekar reinterprets, the
slap that inflicted more than physical pain, and the rebirths emerging from
devastation. Bhaskar Ganguly’s narrative attests that a fall can be a catalyst
for reinvention. Here, we acknowledge unnoticed achievements: a 12th man who
excelled when stars faltered, a table tennis champion long overshadowed by
bureaucracy, and a test victory in 1976 as miraculous as a manna from heaven.
How can we not conclude where it all began — East Bengal, once more, in its
most poetic moment, crafting an epitaph not for defeat, but for a period of
dominance? Each chapter here is an open wound or a clenched fist but never a
forgettable page.
Shared Literary Mission - ::
In this remarkable
journey, our contributors transcended their roles as writers, evolving into a
close-knit family united by a shared literary mission. We engaged in spirited
debates, reached a consensus, shed tears over paragraphs, and celebrated the
nuances of punctuation. Our contributors, hailing from diverse
backgrounds—statisticians, journalists, former athletes, and public intellectuals—merged
their voices into a harmonious symphony on these pages. Each contributor
brought a unique flower to our midsummer garden, distinct in color yet unified
by a common purpose. The bond we forged is not just an editorial; it is
profoundly fraternal. I now embrace the lens of postcolonial theory because it
is essential. This volume is not a mere compilation; it is a powerful testament
to the resistance, redemption, and rewriting of the empire's margins. In every
chapter, the past is the present, and the present grapples with its colonial
legacy.
Historical Dominance And Insurgently
Emergence - :
Sports, once the
opiate of the imperial subject, has been transformed into a potent medium of
rebellion. Cricket, initially a colonial export, became the language of
dissent. Hockey serves as our stick-wielding retort to the Raj, while football
emerges as our soulful protest against neglect. Each chronicled match
represents a contest between the historically dominant and insurgently
emerging. For every goal scored, and every match won, there was a reclamation of
dignity. Our sporting victories extend beyond the field; they resonate in the
hearts of millions who no longer need to look westward to affirm their worth.
Let this book stand as a beacon, not only for readers but also for ministries
that govern sports, institutions that safeguard memory, and future generations
seeking to understand the significance of rising, falling, and rising. This is
not merely a record; it is a testament. I have witnessed the essence of Indian
sports —ink-stained, sweat-soaked, lion-hearted—and I have endeavored, however
humbly, to preserve its flame. May it burn brightly, truthfully, and eternally.
Mr Shyamal Bhattacharjee, the author was born at West Chirimiri Colliery at District Surguja, Chattisgarh on July 6th 1959 He received his early education at Carmel Convent School Bishrampur and later at Christ Church Boys' Higher Secondary School at Jabalpur. He later joined Hislop College at Nagpur and completed his graduation in Science and he also added a degree in B A thereafter. He joined the HITAVADA, a leading dailies of Central India at Nagpur as a Sub-Editor ( Sports ) but gave up to complete his MBA in 1984 He thereafter added a Diploma In Export Management. He has authored SEVEN books namely Notable Quotes and Noble Thought published by Pustak Mahal in 2001 Indian Cricket : Faces That Changed It published by Manas Publications in 2009 and Essential Of Office Management published by NBCA, Kolkatta in 2012, GOLDEN QUOTES on INSPIRATION , SORROW , PEACE and LIFE published by B.F.C Publications, Lucknow, , and QUOTES:: Evolution and Origin of Management Electives by Clever Fox Publishing, Chennai ,From Dhyan To Dhan :: Indian Hockey - Sudden Death Or Extra Time published by BOOKS CLINIC Publishing House , Bilaspur , Chattisgarh and his FIRST book on Hindi poem, which reads as " BHED HAI GEHRA - BAAT JARA SI " and MIDAS TOUCH AND MIRACLES OF INDIAN SPORTS , published by Books Clinics , Bilaspur , Chhattisgarh,
He has a experience of about 35 years in Marketing , and Business Analytics .
Comments
Post a Comment