Its a real story of an Indian soldier, who faced one of the deadliest
Military Leaders, the modern world has seen so far...
It was Berlin
Olympics and India had to play the mighty Germany in the Hockey finals. Just
before the match the Indian Coach, Pankaj Gupta, got the then Congress Flag in
the dressing room. All the players saluted it and sang Vande Mataram, the then
National Anthem of India.
When India reached
the finals, it was presumed by the Germans that another gold medal was just a
matter of time. Germany was presumed to be winner. To boost the morale of his
team, the Dictator of Germany, Adolf Hitler himself came to witness the match.
By half time India was leading 1-0. The playing conditions were not conducive
for India in the second half. Fearing defeat the ground was deliberately wet by
the ground staff, which would not suit the sub-standard shoes of Indian players.
The captain of Indian team was Dhyan Chand, who was facing difficulty in
running with his shoes in the wet ground. Dhyan Chand took his shoes off and
started playing barefoot. India won the final and the Gold medal by 8-1, out of
which 6 Goals were scored by Dhyan Chand himself.
Hitler, left the
stadium in between the match as he could not see his team losing. When Hitler
came to know about the magic of Dhyan Chand, he expressed his will to meet
Dhyan Chand. Dhyan Chand could not sleep the whole night. The next morning he
found Hitler in front of him.Dhyan Chand was numb and so as every body,
thinking as to what would follow next in lion's den. Hitler looked at the
rotten shoes of Dhyan Chand and asked-
"What else you
do?"
Dhyan Chand: I am
in Army.
Hitler: What is
your rank?
Dhyan Chand: I am
Lance Nayak.
Hitler: Come to
Germany. I will make you Field Marshal.
Dhyan Chand was in
flux, whether it was an instruction or offer. Breaking his silence of few
seconds, Dhyan Chand replied," India is my Country, and I am fine
there".
Not even the
Generals of Hitler's Army had audacity to reply back to him. It was then Hitler
took his eyes of Dhyan Chand's shoes and said," As you feel good",
and walked off.
That was the pride
and honour a Lance Nayak of the Indian Army bore in his attitude. Indian Hockey
may be in a bad shape today, but Major Dhyan Chand has become immortal. Above
all, do the current generation of citizens carry the same pride, even if they
are not Dhyan Chand. You can decide for yourself.
Indian Real Life
Heroes
Their real life
stories are so inspiring that after looking into their achievements, the
perception of life takes a different dimension altogether. Unfortunately, the
swimming, or any Olympic sport for that matter, does not get due recognition
and sponsorship in India due to an insensitive system that continues to be
reluctant in providing support to the sports aspirants, but thanks to few
individuals and organizations , who come out in the open and provide a platform
to the sports enthusiastic aspirants to grow and realize their dreams
,specially the challenged ones who strive to come over their disabilities and
often demonstrate exemplary achievements that surprise the normal human beings
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