Dhyan Chand : One of our Greatest Heroes

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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