Raavoi chandamaama
Maa vintha gaatha vinumaaa
Raavoi chandamaama...

^

"Batman Forever"

Sachin Tendulkar scored his 35th test century on Saturday, December 10th, 2005.

And this was the headline on The Times of India, Sunday, December 11th, 2005.

Accompanied by a truly wonderful photograph of the man. Half the front page was dedicated to him, and almost the whole of the last page, which also had an amazing photo of him raising his bat to the heavens. Goosebumps, I tell you. The headline of "Batman Forever" had been used before, by the same paper, with respect to the same person - but it was something special that day.

And not just the photos - the writing was way above the usual standards as well. With great language, expressions, style, and puns, to top it all! What was TOI coming to, I thought. But the pictures were good enough. In fact, I wanted to put them up here, but just could not manage to open the e-edition of that day. Such a pity. Wonderful, what the right words with the right images can do. Several million Indian chests swelled with pride, no doubt. Including mine.

There can be no doubt.

Sachin, tum hi to ho Desh ki Dhadkan

Gheun Tak!

^