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By:

C.S. Krishnamurthy

21 June 2025 at 2:15:51 pm

The Gentleman Legend

Every sport produces champions. Very few produce figures who become the measure by which all future greatness is judged. Sir Garfield Sobers belonged to that rare company. His passing leaves untouched a reputation that has remained unchallenged for generations. Cricket has witnessed magnificent batsmen, devastating bowlers, athletic fielders and exceptional all-rounders. Yet, whenever the conversation turns to the most complete cricketer the game has produced, Garfield Sobers remains the...

The Gentleman Legend

Every sport produces champions. Very few produce figures who become the measure by which all future greatness is judged. Sir Garfield Sobers belonged to that rare company. His passing leaves untouched a reputation that has remained unchallenged for generations. Cricket has witnessed magnificent batsmen, devastating bowlers, athletic fielders and exceptional all-rounders. Yet, whenever the conversation turns to the most complete cricketer the game has produced, Garfield Sobers remains the benchmark. His achievements have long been part of cricketing folklore. More than 8,000 Test runs at an average above 57, 235 wickets with three distinct styles of left arm bowling, and over 100 catches speak of a player blessed with extraordinary versatility. His unbeaten 365 against Pakistan in 1958 stood as the highest individual Test score for more than 36 years, an innings that reflected both technical brilliance and remarkable concentration. Statistics, however, explain only part of the story. Sobers possessed the rare ability to make difficult things appear effortless. Whether unfurling a cover drive, bowling with the new ball, switching seamlessly to spin as conditions demanded, or producing moments of brilliance in the field, he seemed to play cricket with uncommon ease. He was not merely adaptable. He excelled in every discipline the game offered. Little wonder that generations have searched for “the next Sobers.” Equally little wonder that none has truly emerged. Enduring Legacy One of the defining images of his career came in 1968 when, playing for Nottinghamshire against Glamorgan, he became the first cricketer to strike six sixes in a single first-class over. It was an astonishing feat in an era when such aggression was almost unimaginable. Today, boundaries arrive in abundance in franchise cricket. Sobers accomplished the extraordinary long before power hitting became fashionable. Yet his enduring appeal rested on far more than spectacular performances. He played with an infectious sense of freedom that reminded spectators that cricket, despite its pressures, remained a game to be enjoyed. There was elegance without extravagance, confidence without arrogance, and authority without intimidation. The old sporting maxim that "form is temporary, class is permanent" found one of its finest expressions in Sobers. His class lay not only in the manner of his batting or bowling, but also in his conduct. He accepted victories without arrogance and setbacks without bitterness, a rare blend of grace that won him admirers far beyond the boundary ropes. As captain, Sobers led the West Indies during a formative period in Caribbean cricket. The years of complete dominance would come later, but he helped build the confidence and identity that shaped one of the game's greatest teams. Leadership, for him, was never about rhetoric. It was about setting an example. Many anecdotes continue to illuminate his remarkable career. One of the most enduring suggests that if someone were asked to choose a team to save the world, Sobers would be selected first and the rest could follow. It is an exaggeration, certainly, but it captures the esteem in which he was held by teammates, rivals and followers alike. There is another story that reveals the man behind the legend. Throughout his retirement, Sobers remained remarkably approachable, generous with his time and willing to engage with young cricketers wherever he travelled. Knighthood never altered his simplicity. Those who met him often spoke first of his warmth, and only then of his greatness. His affection for India was equally well known, and it was warmly reciprocated. Older cricket followers vividly remember his performances on Indian soil, while younger generations came to know him through stories told by parents, coaches and commentators. Across eras, the verdict remained unchanged. Modern cricket celebrates specialists whose workloads are carefully managed. Sobers represented an age when versatility was indispensable. He responded to every challenge his captain presented without complaint and invariably strengthened the side. “They broke the mould after him” is a phrase often used too freely in sport. In Sobers’ case, it feels entirely justified. Cricket has lost one of its finest ambassadors. The scorebooks will preserve his runs, wickets and catches. Archives will preserve the images. Historians will preserve the achievements. What cannot be fully preserved is the privilege of watching a player who expanded the possibilities of the game while embodying its finest values. Sir Garfield Sobers was not simply the greatest all-round cricketer of his time. He was one of cricket's finest gentlemen. That distinction, perhaps even more than his remarkable records, ensures that his legacy will endure for generations. (The writer is a retired banker and author. Views personal.)

A Diwali to Remember: The Light of Mangeshi Temple

I still recall one of the most captivating Diwalis I’ve experienced — the one I spent in Goa fourteen years ago. That year, we chose to celebrate uniquely at the Shri Mangeshi Temple, and residing within its walls made the occasion intensely personal and unforgettable.


It became a treasured family celebration. My daughter was very young then, but to this day she distinctly remembers each lamp, each prayer, and every instance of that Diwali. The temple’s tranquil atmosphere, resonant chants, and the golden blaze of hundreds of diyas made the festival an experience full of soul—one that still shimmers in our hearts.


Perched on a hillock at Priol in Ponda Taluka and surrounded by lush greenery, the Shri Mangeshi Temple is one of Goa’s most revered shrines to Lord Shiva. Its distinctive Goan Hindu architecture — whitewashed walls, graceful courtyards, and the towering seven-storey deepastambha (lamp tower) — exudes timeless elegance, especially during Diwali.


As night falls, the temple becomes a sanctuary of light. Diyas illuminate the deepastambha, creating an almost celestial vision. The air fills with chants and the soft rhythm of bells, celebrating the triumph of light over darkness and wisdom over ignorance.


The MangeshiDevasthan stands as a symbol of devotion and resilience. The original Shiva Linga, once enshrined in Kushastali, was moved across the Zuari River after the Portuguese destroyed the temple in 1561. The present structure, built in the mid-1800s on land donated by a devotee, has been lovingly preserved through generations. Today, it remains one of Goa’s most visited and spiritually significant temples — a true jewel among Konkani shrines.


Goa’s Diwali traditions

Goa celebrates Diwali with a unique blend of devotion and community spirit. The festivities begin on Naraka Chaturdashi, the second day of the five-day festival, with the burning of Narakasura effigies. Giant figures of the demon king, crafted from bamboo and paper, are paraded through villages before being set ablaze at dawn — a vivid symbol of good triumphing over evil. As fireworks light up the morning sky, families rejoice together.


Lakshmi Puja, the third day, holds special importance. Homes and temples—especially Mangeshi, Shantadurga, and Mahalaxmi—glow with vibrant rangolis, marigolds, and flickering lamps. Families offer prayers and sweets to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, celebrating prosperity, harmony, and hope.


Living within the temple premises let us experience its divine rhythm from dawn to night. From the first aarti at 4:30 a.m. to the last at 11 p.m., we joined nearly every ritual. The temple shimmered with fresh flowers, intricate patterns in the sanctum (Garbha), and endless rows of diyas, each flame whispering peace.


On the first day, we performed the sacred Abhishek — offering water and flowers to the Shiva Linga. Drawing water from the ancient temple well and carrying it to the sanctum under Guruji’s guidance was humbling. Sitting there, offering prayers and prasad, I felt a deep stillness — a serenity I carry even today.


On Narak Chaturdashi, we joined villagers as they set the demon effigy ablaze amid dazzling fireworks. In that radiant dawn, I prayed silently for strength, positivity, and the cleansing of negativity — a beautiful blend of energy and introspection.


Lakshmi Puja brought another unforgettable day. Guruji invited us to his 200-year-old ancestral Wada behind the temple. The women prepared a traditional Goan breakfast on banana leaves, filling the courtyard with the aroma of coconut and jaggery. Children, including my daughter, built tiny clay forts (ghads) decorated with miniature warriors and diyas. Their laughter, mingled with temple bells, captured the warmth and togetherness that define a Goan Diwali.


Festivity and togetherness

Sweets and savouries lie at the heart of Diwali celebrations. In Goa, favourites like Fov (sweetened beaten rice with jaggery and coconut), Godshe (rice pudding with coconut milk), KelyachyoFodi (raw banana fry), KarlyacheKismur (bitter gourd with coconut and tamarind), and Nevri or Karanji (sweet dumplings filled with coconut, jaggery, poppy seeds, and cardamom) are lovingly prepared and shared with neighbours, symbolising love and unity.


Evenings in Goa offer a beautiful contrast—the serene glow of temples meets the lively sparkle of beaches. Fireworks, music, and Goan feasts fill the air, blending devotion and celebration, perfectly reflecting Goa’s joyful soul.


That Diwali at Mangeshi Temple was more than a festival — it was a journey inward. The echo of bells, scent of incense, soft chants, flickering lamps, and shared family moments created a peace that words can hardly capture.


(The writer is a tourism professional and runs a company, Global Voyages. She could be contacted at goglobalvoyages@gmail.com. Views personal.)

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