Kabaddi is one of those games which originated in rural India. Among the games in Tamil Nadu, Kabaddi is taken as a game of courage and bravery. Kabaddi is a common man’s game, so in every village, one can see different teams playing their game regularly and a lot of crowd interestingly watching. Since there is no investment in this game, it become attractive for the common man of Tamil Nadu who have got the genes of bravery.
This game could fetch a Government job in sports quota – this was a dream which came true in my life. While doing the job in the electricity department, I thought of taking this sport to the society. From this whimsical idea, but whole hearted one, a club was started in 1989. I didn’t expect any monetary benefit from my students and till now that principle is being followed. The club started giving free training to boys and girls. With Kabaddi, I started teaching Karate.
After 7 years of hard work, success came in our way. The Divine power which resides in my mind and intellect, motivated towards my path. When my students were injured, my heart started weeping. The situation forced me to think on the whole matter. My consciousness gave vent to guilty feelings as to make me think that I have no consistency. Now, I put out my maximum efforts, leaving the rest to the Almighty.
Moral codes, love and good conduct count to every step of our success. This gave way to one of my student getting the gold medal in Asian Games and many of them getting Government Jobs in different sectors. Behind these successes is the perspiration of all youngsters of this club.
After 15 years, my inner consciousness made me realise that sport won’t give the fulfilment in life. Education is the only key for progress in society. So we should be giving prominence to education along with sports. As a result, our cadres started learning Engineering, polytechnic, physical education and Arts colleges, free of cost and many of them are placed in good positions, now.
Having crossed 20 years, while doing all this, I felt a type of vacuum in my mind. These activities could not give peace which was obtained by the knowledge of Self.
Meanwhile, a point developed in my mind which was the result of god’s grace. The players of my club must get peace of mind which is necessary with bravery. Without this there life remain incomplete. Fortunately, I got the privilege to start a new endeavour for the internal growth of Kabaddi players. Till now nobody took the required initiative in this field. It is not merely a preaching, it is a mission. It will show the future generation that Kabaddi players are also not far behind from the knowledge of Self.
The success in game and the benefit obtained from it is one thing but getting Self-knowledge which gives Bliss is totally another thing. The power which helped me till now was forcing me to share this Self-Knowledge with my students.
Realising own divinity is very essential in life. It helps in all round growth. Now, I am in the process of achieving the target of improving the students spiritually. This effort of human being needs God’s grace and blessings.
With hope,
R. Ravichandran.
