Tendulkar, Bhajji spend a day with NSG commandos

Tendulkar, Bhajji spend a day with NSG commandos

New Delhi, Jan 24: Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh spent a day at the National Security Guard (NSG) head Quarters in Manesar.The two cricketers witnessed a life time of grit, determination and endurance of the commandos. They had a chance to witness and try their hands at the very tough 26 obstacle course that commandos train on, which includes jumping through heights, climbing heights of, running through large distances.They also witnessed the Anti Terrorist Conditioning Course, which has commandoes going through artificially stimulated, but almost real life terror situations, complete with fire, smoke and live bullets.The day had its emotional moments as well in plenty. Sachin and Harbhajan had a chance to interact with the commandoes who participated in the 26/11 Mumbai operation.Sachin in response to a question on who the real heroes were?, said, “Without a doubt its you guys, we just play cricket, you play with your life so that we are secure, I salute you and your families because they have an important role in your sacrifice.” Sachin and Harbhajan also had a chance to spend some moments with the wife and children of Late Havaldar Gajendra Singh and the parents of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, the two NSG commandoes who lost their lives in the Mumbai siege.The two cricketers made their way through the crowd to meet Sandeep’s parents who were also present there at the same time.Sachin paid his condolences to Sandeep’s father and said, “You are a brave man, and your sacrifice is supreme.” Sachin and Harbhajan had donned the NSG uniform for the day, complete shoes, nametags and beret.The commandoes had a field day with questions ranging from when Bhajji would get married, to what Sachin would want his son to become? In response to the latter, Sachin said, “He had left it to his son to do whatever he wanted, whether it was to become a cricketer or a commando.” The commandoes were keen to know what Sachin thought of the Mumbai operation and their conduct.One of the commandoes, who stood up to speak, V Sathish was full of emotion, as he had seen his colleague and buddy Gajendra fall to the terrorist’s bullets at the Nariman operation.The commandoes, who had been eagerly waiting this interactive session, managed to get the cricketers to break into a dance.The day as expected, ended with a friendly four-over match between Sachin XI and Bhajji XI. The teammates were on opposing sides. But in the end Sachin XI won.CNN IBN and IBN7 took the initiative to bring the two heroes of the cricketing world to talk face-to-face with the heroes of the nation. (Agencies)