Bengaluru: Don’t imitate your role models, do better than them, exhorted former India wicket-keeper Syed Kirmani inaugurating the 133rd Annual Athletic Meet of St Joseph’s College (Autonomous) on Friday.
The 1983-world cup winning cricketer advised the students to build self-confidence. “You alone are your inspiration,” he said. “Don’t follow your role models; do better than they have done,” he exhorted.
Kirmani, recipient of the prestigious Arjuna and Padmashree awards, declared open the annual sports day after the march past by the college students. Over three thousand students of all classes from undergraduate and postgraduate programmes participated in the march past.
Determination to do well is important, he said. But more important is discipline. We must be mentally and physically disciplined to succeed in life and attain our goals, former India stumper added. “It is easy to reach the top position, but to maintain it at the highest level, requires discipline and character,” he said.
On seeing a student marching bare foot, a nostalgic Kirmani said, “It reminded me of my school days. My father could not afford to buy a pair of shoes. So, I had to run barefoot for my practice sessions.” He went on to credit his success to the Almighty.
Recalling his memories of being a Josephite, Kirmani said, “It makes me nostalgic to be standing in this ground. I used to play Hockey in the present basketball court.”
Shivakumar – CEO of Prabha Industries, and A R Hebbar – entrepreneur and social worker, were the guests of honour. Rector of the college, Fr Brian Pereira S J presided over the function.