I hate Shridhar Sampath.
Why?
Read on.
It was in the year 2006 where Shridhar was competing for the Middle East Championship which was hosted at the Marriott Hotel, Dubai.
He was considered by all as the one to win the overall championship. He was the crowd favorite. And the speech he was about to deliver was titled 'The Gift of Hope' - which was a beautiful speech dedicated to his faith, his foundation, his fortress - his father.
But the EMCEE and all the other competitors hated him. Hated him to the core.
Why? Because he was always a winner in every contest.
So, just like all world class competitors, he psyched himself to get into the zone, to get into the moment and to perform at peak condition.
The EMCEE signaled to him.
He was just about to go up on stage within a few more minutes to deliver the speech of a lifetime - where we all knew, the host country would be proud to have its own champion move on to the World Championships after winning this contest.
It was then the unthinkable happened.
Shridhar was informed just minutes before he go up on stage that his Father whom he was about to speak about - had passed away that very minute.
Silenced, stunned and shocked.
No one knew what to do.
The EMCEE decided that may be Shridhar should not take part.
But Shridhar stood still.
He closed his eyes. And then he said, lets get on with the contest.
Everyone including the EMCEE watched this small man, who is not very tall, not let anyone in the audience know the cross he was carrying in his heart, as he delivered the greatest tribute to his dad any son could offer.
Everyone who knew off the terrible truth, watched in tears of awe, admiration and amazement – as this giant of a man delivered a speech to his Father who had just left the world.
He completed the speech and he walked off without waiting.
No one in the audience of 2000 people knew anything.
Later on the EMCEE of the evening, who hated him as a competitor, went up to the stage, after the contest was over after the judges had finalized the votes and then told the audience the most painful truth.
The speech titled Gift of Hope was truly indeed a Gift of Hope as our speaker Shridhar Sampath came and blessed the audience with one of the most sincere, spiritual and soulful speech a son could ever give his Father.
Shridhar Sampath could have walked away from the competition.
He could have chosen to cry those tears.
He could have made up his mind to give up.
But no.
Shridhar Sampath fought all this to deliver a speech worthy of all the respect anyone could offer. And in the bargain, though that day he was not there to collect his controversial 'not first place victory' - in the hearts and minds of everyone else, Shridhar Sampath was a Champion.
His Father may not have been present that day – but he was watching from heaven how touching a tribute his own flesh and blood could offer to the priceless tears, sweat and blood he had shed for his son.
Finally – Though Shridhar Sampath was not present there – he got a standing ovation from every single person present in that auditorium after the truth was told to everyone.
Best part - even the EMCEE now became a fan of this Champion.
How do I know all this so much in detail?
My dear friends, I was the EMCEE of that contest.
Let this incident be proof enough on what an amazing human being, a great speaker and a world champion Shridar Sampath is.
You see, I stated I hate Shridhar Sampath.
Its true.
I do hate him.
Simply because no matter how hard I may try, he is always better than me.
To know more about Shridhar, check out,
www.shridharsampath.com
or email him on shridharsampath@hotmail.com
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