Lessons from Chak de

Thoughts and Dialogue: Narayan Murthy

Creative effort: Irfan Syed

Narayana Murthys experience

The other day, my wife and I were perhaps among the very few over 50-year-olds in the mostlytwentyish crowd watching the film Chak De in Bangalore. You had to be there to believe the shouts of joy that accompanied every goal India scored in the imaginary tournament in the movie. The mood at the end was as if India had actually won the womens world cup in hockey.

Pride of winning

I can appreciate this mood since I too felt similar joy and pride when hundreds of cameras clicked at me holding our national flag, on India and my being declared the winners of the prestigious world entrepreneur award among the forty-odd competing nations at Monaco in 2003.

Reality in every sphere

As I exited the theatre after watching Chak De that day, several youngsters asked me for my reaction to the movie. My answer was simple. I said I wanted to see the movie become a reality not just in hockey but in every sphere.

The recipe for success

The recipe for such a success was most wonderfully conveyed by Shah Rukh Khan and those wonderful women hockey players in the movie. Let me recount them here.

Indian first attitude

We have to identify as Indians first and rise above our affiliations with our states, religions and castes.

Accept meritocracy

We must accept meritocracy and enthusiastically play the role we are best suited to.

Embrace discipline

We must embrace discipline to strictly follow every step required for success.

Nation first

We have to put the interest of our nation ahead of our personal interests, subordinating our egos and biases.

Hard work and sacrifices

Finally, we have to put in tremendous hard work and make short-term sacrifices for long-term glory.

Set examples

I have immense faith and optimism in the youth of this country. But, will we get our leaders to set examples for hundreds of millions of Indian youth? I wish more and more of our leaders see Chak De and learn these precious lessons