In the footsteps of a giant
"Tj, You know its a bit risky. We are just normal people, do what we small people do". How often have we heard of something like this all our lives, from our friends, family and relatives.Books, stories and lives of famous people teach us to be fearless in our quests ever since we were kids, but these only apply to studies in schools and colleges and finally securing a job. From then be 'fearless' and explore your job. But in actuality there is no fearlessness here, if you study hard you get a good degree and if that happens you get a good job. There is no amount of risk involved.Hence, no need to fear. But this is not the 'fearlessness' that the success stories of people talk about. From business men to actors, most people who have achieved and got someplace have done so by being fearless in their lives and their work. By breaking away from their pack and travelling the lone path. Any person who has taken such a risk, even if it is a small one, deserves some applause.Our lives, atleast that of the common people, has been ridden with doubts ever since we were kids. Doubts on whether we can do something,probably something that has never been done by our folks ever. We have been bread with the fear that if we dont go with the flow, we might end up far behind the rest. Come to think of it, this fear is some sort of control that people impose on others, parents on their kids, government on their people, the like. Without this fear, every tom dick and harry would be pursuing what they like and may succeed.Without the common people and their struggles, how can the rich stay rich. The owners, broadcasters, players etc of the ipl are examples of this fact. While millions watch the matches, the people behind the venture are making millions. Without the millions of common people watching from their flats, houses and jhopad pattis, there is no dough for anyone who makes money from the ipl.
Residing, living and working with such a group of commons would make you only just another passerby but getting yourself ahead of this group, to stand apart requires real courage and fearlessness to take the risk and stand by it even if it fails. There will be thousands to tell you that 'you shouldnt have done that' or 'told you so' if your plan fails, but atleast you tried and that has to count for something. I remember when an investment of mine went bad, people were telling me that you did a stupid thing, you shouldnt have done that. Probably I shouldnt, but I would have never known it would have worked or not. Atleast now, apart from the other things about the investment, i wouldn't feel bad that I should have invested.

Countless movies emphasizing the human spirit, but very few take inspiration from them and run ahead of the rest. Probably I have realised all this albeit a little late, but they say its better late than never. Not just for me but for all.Kudos to all those men and women, or rather GIANTS, who have made it big out of sheer perserverence and hard work, and not just talent and influential godfathers.