Top sportspersons speak to MiD DAY on their most cherished

Glory Days

India's top sportspersons speak to mid day on their most cherished patriotic moments as the country celebrates 62 years of independence

ABHINAV BINDRA

Winning an Olympic medal was more than a dream come true. But the timing of that achievement August 11, 2008 was even more special.

Standing atop the podium with the national anthem playing is an unbelievable feeling. As an Indian sportsman I've always felt very patriotic at winning competitions abroad. But the Olympics are obviously different.
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I had dreamt of an Olympic medal as a kid and to see it fulfilled was a great moment for me, my family and my country.

Coming back to the prize distribution ceremony at the Olympics, it was very touching to see the Indian tri-colour rise above all at the Beijing Shooting Range.

I don't have words to describe what I was going through then. I wouldn't say that I was moved to tears but yes, it was an intensely emotional moment a result of over 15 years of hard work that I had put in.

The national anthem playing in the background saw the patriot in me reach an all-time high.
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I was proud and satisfied with what I had done, but I was even happier to have made my country proud a few days before Independence Day.

As told to Ashwin Ferro

Ritwik Bhattacharya

THERE was always a certain passion and love for the country instilled in me as a child as my father, Ranjan, was a Group Captain with the Indian Air Force. Hence, the feeling of being an Indian and the love for it was always felt in the household.

Many believe that the feeling of patriotism or the pride of representing the country is lesser in an individual sport as compared to a team sport, but that is not true.
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Every time I step on the court, I am aware that I am an Indian playing against someone and it is not just my reputation but also the country's that I have to uphold.

My greatest feeling of having done something for the country that has given me so many opportunities came when I won the Professional Squash Association (PSA) title in New Zealand in 2003 when I became the first Indian to win a PSA title.

As told to Anand I Naik

Anand Pawar

I was part of India's six-member badminton team for the Junior Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, 2004. We defeated England in the quarters so a silver medal was assured.

But after getting past Singapore in the semis, we put our hearts and souls into a tough final against Malaysia. We went down fighting and lost 2-3 in a thriller.

Despite five years since that incident, that particular silver will always be one of the most cherished and patriotic moments of my career.

The pride of playing and being successful for the country gives one a different high. For me, that win will always remain close to my heart as my most patriotic moment.
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As told to Sudheendra Tripathi

Saina Nehwal

I may have had quite a few career highs, but if there is one special moment I have to single out, it has to be my run-up to the quarter-finals of the Beijing Olympics last year for purely patriotic reasons.

I clearly remember how happy I was after beating fourth seed Hong Kong's Wang Chen (21-19, 11-21, 21-11) in the pre-quarter-final in Beijing.
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It was an unbelievable high not only because I had never beaten her but because I had done so while representing India at the highest level the Olympics. Also, the timing of the win made it even more special.

It was August 11 four days away from Independence Day, which is widely celebrated back home, This only heightened the patriotic spirit in me.

Another factor that doubled my joy was Abhinav Bindra winning India's first individual Olympic gold.

As told to Ashwin Ferro