NEW DELHI, 26 May 2004 — The life and times of India’s star batsman Sachin Tendulkar are being featured in school textbooks from the current academic year so that children can be inspired by the feats of the record-breaking cricketer.
A special interview with the 31-year-old, in which he talks about his childhood and passion for cricket, has been included in textbooks for 10-12 year olds in government-aided schools in and around New Delhi. Education official Krishna Kumar said it would make education a “more pleasurable experience” and help the children learn about their role model in a first person account.
“Sachin is an icon in India and kids draw inspiration from him,” Kumar said. “So we thought that having a chapter on him will interest kids and at the same time make them understand that dedication and determination make a successful person.”
The move is already proving a big hit with children.
“I read the interview the day I got the book. I learned many things about his school days,” said 10-year-old Nikhil Sharma. “I always wanted to know the things Sachin did as a kid and the chapter is really interesting.”
Tendulkar, regarded as one of the finest batsmen in history, describes himself as a “mediocre boy and a very average student” in the interview who was “very naughty and always wanted to escape to the playground.” He says that “strong determination, continuous practice, good understanding of the game, constant improvement of one’s abilities and courage to strike the ball with conviction” are the keys to becoming a good player.
Tendulkar is the world’s leading one-day batsman with 13,134 runs and 37 centuries. He also has 9,470 Test runs with 33 centuries, only one behind compatriot Sunil Gavaskar’s record tally of 34.
