The place where Sachin Tendulkar first picked up a bat and broke innumerable window panes is a housing complex in Mumbai. Named Sahitya Sahawas, it is situated at the Kala Nagar area in Bandra East. Kala Nagar is famous for being the late Balasaheb Thackeray’s abode. But Sahitya Sahawas, with nine buildings, is known for its association with creative people, who have won plaudits for their work in literature. In fact, all the nine buildings have been named after Marathi poets. The ambience of the complex is such that hardly anyone would associate it with the growing up of the legendary cricketer but Tendulkar seemed to have taken inspiration from the positive atmosphere. The complex also houses a small playing ground. Tendulkar spent the first 28 years of his life in this complex. Sachin used to reside with his parents in the fourth floor of ‘Usha Kaal’. A resident revealed how the Master Blaster drew inspiration from his father, late Ramesh Tendulkar. Tendulkar’s childhood neighbour and friend Sunil Harse, a developer-cum-rain water harvesting consultant, expressed his delight at his association with the maestro. “I am blessed that Sachin and I spent many colourful years together at Sahitya Sahawas. Although Sachin shifted to his new house at Bandra East, he is a frequent visitor here. The residents of this complex still distribute sweets whenever Sachin scores a century,” he said. Harse said Tendulkar was also very close to his elder brother. “Ajit took his younger brother to the field and although the other players would make fun of his size, Tendulkar surprised everyone with his array of strokes. He was also more than a handful with the ball and he was always in demand for his all-round skills,” he added. Tendulkar also came to visit an ailing friend after scoring his hundredth international ton in March last year. Senior citizens remember him as a curly haired boy who used to torment them with his strokes. But they are all proud of his achievements and swear by his simplicity. He may have touched dizzying heights on the cricket field but the residents of Sahitya Sahawas will always consider him to be one of their own.
Posted on: Thu, 14 Nov 2013 12:05:10 +0000
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