There's a popular saying that what's there in a name but Sachin Tendulkar certainly feels there's something about it.
In his illustrious career spanning over 23 years, Tendulkar has handled the scorching pace of Shoaib Akhtar as well as the guile of Shane Warne with aplomb but it was a 'doosra' from a young Pakistani fan that stumped the senior batsman during India's tour of 2003-04.
During that particular tour, Tendulkar once visited the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre when he decided to stand by the bed of a kid who was told to be his ardent fan.
"What's your name?" the maestro asked the little boy but his sister answered on behalf of the reticent kid.
"He would scare you by his name," the sister stated.
Sheer curiousity made Tendulkar ask her as to why so, the kid said,"I'm Osama."
It was one of the off-the-field moments, Tendulkar still cherishes as he relived his glorious past during a pictorial book launch 'The PEAK' by Bengali photojournalist Suman Chattopadhyay.
Describing the book, Tendulkar said, "There has some incredible moments of my life. It will also raise money for charity."
Marathi sports journalist Sunandan Lele has written the caption stories for each of the photographs.
"Tendulkar is always up for charity. If one industrialist asks him for an appointment, he may delay it but he always has time for the underprivileged," Lele said.
The book captures some rare and memorable moments of Tendulkar's life through Chattopadhyay's lens and the stories behind them in the master's own words.
"I was spending some time with my children in a swimming pool when I saw some movement behind the curtains upstairs and heard camera clicks. I did not have to guess as he could be none other than Suman," said Tendulkar talking about a snap that finds a proud place in the book.
"Suman is among those few persons who have seen me from close quarters since my early days. I happen to carry a photograph taken by him, wherever I travel," added Tendulkar.
The photograph is of a young Tendulkar lying on the lap of his parents and adorns the cover of the book.
The peak has been scripted by journalist Sunandan Lele and has a foreword by former India cricketer Anil Kumble recapitulating his long association with Tendulkar. It also has special quotes by cricket legends Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev as also iconic singer Asha Bhosle.
India's World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh, who also one of the guests said,"We all looked up to him. He is my hero, the nation's hero. But the most important thing is he is also a great man."
The event contributed Rs 11 lakh for Tendulkar's charitable foundation, while Rs 3 lakh was given to the foundation run by Yuvraj Singh.
© NDTV
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