Today is National Sports Day in India.
The Story Behind National Sports Day
On August 29, 1905, the Indian hockey legend – Major Dhyan Chand was born. Known as ‘The Wizard Of Hockey’, Chand played during the pre-independence years of India and exercised control over Europeans in a sport invented by them, which developed a feeling of pride in Indians. He dominated the sport all through his career and managed to bag three Olympic gold medals for India. One of the country’s most prestigious sports awards, the Khel Ratna, is named after him and his birth anniversary is celebrated as the National Sports Day in the country.
Why Sports Day?
Stressing the need to stay fit and healthy, this auspicious day spreads the message of the importance of sports and daily activities in everyday life. Sports helps to develop a feeling of patriotism and bind people of different backgrounds. As a nation, India has experienced a lot of ups and downs in the field of sports. It isn’t just hockey that has inspired millions of youngsters in the country. Athletes and players from all across the country have taken the game up the ladder.
There’s nothing like experiencing the live sport and for the ones who fail to do so, the closest experience they can get is through books. Books can help people to actually relive the experiences of players and one can know how the legends came to be.
Sports Books from India
Nation at Play: A History of Sport in India by Ronjonoy Singh:
This book traces ancient times when India was beginning to engage with sport along with capturing the political nature behind it. The book consists of wonderful stories, amazing anecdotes and very interesting snippets that engage readers all across the country.
Dreams of a Billion: India and the Olympic Games by Boria Majumdar:
Boria Majumdar and Nalin Mehta compiled a collection of India’s best Olympic moments over the years. The documentary Dreams of a Billion: India and the Olympic Games tells the stories of legends such as MC Mary Kom, PV Sindhu, and Abhinav Bindra. The book also paints a picture of what goes on behind the scenes in the Indian Olympics world.
Unbreakable: An Autobiography by Mary Kom
Unbreakable, the story of the legendary MC Mary Kom, traces the journey of the six-time world champion. Born with limited resources, this book tells the story of Mary Kom’s struggle and passion to reach the pinnacle of her sport. The book chronicles how she balanced her marriage and career, and also describes what it takes for a woman to succeed in a male-dominated sport and country.
Playing it my way: My Autobiography by Sachin Tendulkar:
The autobiography of the former Indian cricketer – Sachin Tendulkar reveals the scenes of his legendary performances and struggles throughout his 24-year career. Tendulkar has won hearts all over the world and his decision to publish this book has been loved by all.
“So here I am, at the end of my final innings, having taken that last walk back to the pavilion, ready to recount as many incidents as I can remember since first picking up a cricket bat as a child in Mumbai thirty-five years ago.” – Sachin Tendulkar
Which sports books have you been inspired by?