The former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket last week. In a bid to pay tribute to his contributions to the sport, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote a letter to the cricketer.
In the letter, the Prime Minister addressed the emotion of the country as Dhoni is departing from the sport. He wrote,
“130 crore Indians were disappointed but also eternally grateful for all that you have done for Indian cricket in the last decade-and-a-half. You have been one of the most successful captains, instrumental in taking India to the top of the world charts. Your name will go down in history as being one of the world’s batting greats, among the greatest cricketing captains and certainly one of the best wicketkeepers the game has seen.”
The Prime Minister also wrote,
“The name Mahendra Singh Dhoni will not be remembered merely for his career statistics or specific match-winning roles. Looking at you as just a sportsperson would be an injustice. The correct way to assess your impact is as a phenomenon!”
Symbol Of New India
The Prime Minister also mentioned the humble beginnings of the former cricketer and applauded his efforts and hard work in the sport. He credited Dhoni for having the strength and the inspiration to make a name for himself in the national scene which has motivated crores of Indians. He also called him an important illustration of the spirit of New India. He said,
“No matter what hairstyle you sported, your calm head remained the same in victory or defeat, which is a very important lesson for every youth. I would like to also mention your special association with India’s armed forces. You were most happy being among our army personnel. Your concern towards their welfare has always been remarkable.”
At the end of the letter, he wished good health to his family, wife Sakshi and daughter Ziva and wrote,
“Our youth could also learn from you how to balance professional and personal priorities; I remember seeing a picture of you playing with your cute daughter even as everyone around you was celebrating a victory in a particular tournament! That was vintage MS Dhoni, wishing you the very best for your future endeavors.”
Source: Free Press Journal
