Do you believe in fate? Destiny? Luck? Serendipity? If yes, then you’re going to love this story. If not, then fellas, this could probably be the thing that converts you. Because this thread, shared by a sports journalist about his 30-minute rickshaw ride is exactly the kind of heartwarming story that could turn anyone into a believer!
Twitter user @vinayakkm, is a sports journalist who embarked on what he didn’t know was going to be the most surprising ride for him. Even more it was going to be a life-changing moment for the auto-driver.
Had the most serendipitous auto ride. Was on the phone talking to a friend about the medals India have won and how on Saturday the TT players could bring more. (1/n)
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) April 13, 2018
During his auto ride, Vinayak was on call with a friend, discussing about India’s string of gold wins at the ongoing Commonwealth Games, and the conversation steered to Table Tennis.
The phone conversation veered towards Sathiyan and Sharath, and how the two Chennai players have had a pretty awesome time in Gold Coast. (2/n)
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) April 13, 2018
It’s always said that eavesdropping is the worst, right? But in this case, the auto driver eavesdropping on Vinayak’s conversation was the best thing ever!
To Vinayak’s surprise, once his call was done, his the driver asked him about the current status of TT players in the CWG and how they were faring.
Once I got done with the call, the auto driver started asking me about the results today. "Did Sathiyan and Sharath qualify for singles semis?" "Who's Sharath playing in the semis? "What happened to Manika Batra and Mouma Das?" (3/n)
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) April 13, 2018
ICYMI, Manika and Mouma have clinched a silver in the women’s double, while Manika Batra has won the first ever women’s singles table tennis gold for India at the Commonwealth Games! Yay India!
The amazement didn’t end there. Vinayak soon found out the wonderful reason behind the auto driver’s interest in the game. His son and daughter were both table tennis players!
I told him the results. Sharath is playing Quadri. Manika is also in the semis. He listens intently. Goes on to offer insights about the contrast between Sharath & Sathiyan's styles. And then says his son and daughter (in 12th and 10th respectively) are both TT players. (4/n)
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) April 13, 2018
What’re more, the children were really good national level players and Sharath and Sathiyan themselves had seen these kids play!
They train at Chandra's TT academy in Chennai (former national champ and Arjuna awardee he told me) and Sharath and Sathiyan have both seen both of his wards play. They have played national level and from what I could gather, have a decent record. (5/n)
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) April 13, 2018
The proud father then went on to tell Vinayak how his every effort is towards enabling his children’s sports education.
Learning a sport in India is not easy on the pockets. It could be a real strain on this father’s income.
Said he drives them 50kms a day in his auto for their fitness training, spends almost all the money he earns on their game. Gym, academy, equipment and what not. "You don't know sir how expensive this sport his. It's not possible to go anywhere without money." (6/n)
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) April 13, 2018
How many budding athletes have to give up playing their sport because of financial troubles? The auto driver was trying his best to not let that happen to his children’s table tennis dreams!
"I have to spend 33,000 rupees to get my son and daughter new wood and rubber. Their game is good but they are not going further because they don't have the right equipment. My son doesn't even tell me what he needs thinking I don't have the money" (7/n)
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) April 13, 2018
The auto driver’s heartwarming story touched Vinayak’s heart. It was indeed saddening to hear that despite everything he was doing, there was still so much the father wanted to do for his children, if only his financial condition permitted.
Especially, the fact that he was doing so much to support his kids in a country where sports often takes a backseat to academics.
"If only I worked in a bank or something…"
It really was quite the conversation. He knows the game, despite having not played himself. He clearly cares a great deal about his kids continuing to play. Said doesn't know how to get sponsors and all that. (8/n)
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) April 13, 2018
The auto ride soon came to en end, and Vinayak was convinced that he wanted to, in some little way, help the driver’s cause.
Didn't even ask for my number at the end. I offered him mine, and took his personal number, said will ask around. Now, I don't know what will come from this, but I just hope his kids get to continue playing. (9/n)
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) April 13, 2018
He ended his thread, not with an appeal for help or retweets but with the hope that this encounter between them was just meant to be.
It's not often you have such a remarkable conversation during a 30-minute auto ride. One phone call about the medals is all it took. Most grateful.
End of thread for now. Hopefully, to be continued.
(10/n)
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) April 13, 2018
Twitter took to this heartwarming story like bees to a flower and, soon enough, the word was spreading!
i mean, how could this not put a smile on your face, particularly if you’re a sports fan!
1. The biggest thing for an athlete is to be discovered by the right people at the right time.
This thread. One of the biggest things in the world of sport is discovery. https://t.co/4eXqKbPwoo
— Deepak Shenoy (@deepakshenoy) April 14, 2018
2. Sports doesn’t just enrich the lives of the ones playing it, but also everyone around them!
Such an amazing thread of tweets. This is what sports brings to one's life be it players, their associates, fans and audience in general. It for a moment at least makes us forget the world around and brings smile on to the faces #CWG2018 https://t.co/32kNfSW6xB
— Durga Sai Prasad (@Durga_S_Prasad) April 14, 2018
3. #Sports <3
Best thing I've read over the internet in past few days. Humanity persists. Let's contribute. #sports💙 https://t.co/pbn1RJA3yc
— Tejas Muley (@daSilentHawk) April 14, 2018
4. A salute to every father!
Dads 💞 https://t.co/AhPx8PZE6S
— yathirigan (@yathirigan) April 14, 2018
5. Behind every successful athlete….
This thread is all about the hard work and dedication our athletes and their families put in. Do read. https://t.co/5HE5Nqn3aR
— Harleen is back to writing (@VeiledDesires_) April 14, 2018
And then, the thread caught the attention of Harsha Bhogle. So naturally, it exploded!
Such a nice thread…. https://t.co/AliV0SxpHb
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 14, 2018
Bhogle’s sharing of the thread seemed to give it the virality that it needed! Help began pouring in from unexpected quarters! And pretty soon, Vinayak reported back to his followers with an update!
WHOA. This thread has just exploded thanks to @bhogleharsha. So many people asking for the father's number, I will figure out a way to set up something where we can contribute. Don't want the poor guy's number to ring non-stop! He has an auto to drive 🙂
(12/n)
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) April 14, 2018
Amazing isn’t it? Call it the power of social media, or the love for sports that our country harbours but mostly reserves only for cricket, but if everything works out, the auto driver will be able to sustain his children’s table tennis dreams!
Who knows, a few more CWGs down the years, they could be winning gold for our country!
And all because a sports journalist happened to sit in their father’s auto! Serendipity, much?