Tendulkar to Monika: Call of duty supersedes tragedy

Vidarbha player Monika Nagose overcomes father’s death to return to playfield very next day

NAGPUR, Apr 24, 2015

By Paritosh Pramanik

WHEN Sachin Tendulkar lost his father Ramesh on May 19, 1999 he flew back from England to Mumbai to perform the final rites. Immediately after, Sachin was forced by his mother to return to England for national duties during the World Cup. This exemplary gesture by Tendulkar also inspired generations to answer the call of duty putting aside personal grief. Vidarbha hockey player Monika Dnyaneshwar Nagose was among the inspired ones who emulated Tendulkar, 16 years later.

Monika was just over two months old when Tendulkar preferred national duty over personal grief. On April 21, 2015, after almost 16 years, Monika, too, preferred to play for Vidarbha rather than sit in grief and mourn her father’s death.

The 16-year-old hockey player from Shankarpur in Yavatmal district, has seen the worst. Her father died on April 21 at Yavatmal when she was in Nagpur attending the preparatory camp with Vidarbha’s junior hockey team.
“My father was not keeping well. He was suffering from kidney ailments. The preparatory camp for junior national started on April 20 and I reached here the same evening. On the same night I got a call from my cousin who informed that my father was serious. I left for Yavatmal on 21st early morning. I was shattered to see the dead body of my father when I reached home,” said Monika, struggling to control her tears.

“I wanted to skip the nationals as I was not mentally fit. But next morning (on April 22) my mother forced me and reminded me that my father wanted me to be a good player. Even my coach Shahid Syed consoled me and tried to convince me. It’s only because of my mother and my coach that today I am going with the team,” said Monika while talking with ‘The Hitavada’ at VHA ground on Friday morning.

Monika was reluctant to attend the selection trials as her father was not keeping well. “But he persuaded me to appear for the trials. He wanted to see me lead the team. Eventhough I was named as the vice-captain, he was very happy,” Monika recalled the last interaction with her father.

“Even Sachin Tendulkar kept aside his personal grief and performed national duties. I too want to move ahead and do what my father loved most, watching me play hockey,” said Monika.

When informed that it was (April 24) Tendulkar’s 42nd birthday, Monika’s was stunned to the core. “Really! what an amazing coincidence. Today is my father’s birthday too,” her voice choked again as she tried to control her emotions. “My father would have turned 48 today,” the pain in the voice said it all.

Monika’s father was a state-level kabaddi player and her mother Durga also played kho-kho at state-level. Fourth amongst five siblings, Monika’s every wish, related to hockey, was fulfilled by her parents.

“No body stopped me from playing. My village Shankarpur was a bit far from my school, Abhyankar Kanya Shala, in Kalamb. So, my elder sister Sarika and one of my younger sisters Nikita stay in a rented room in Kalamb. That helped us in our studies and also in my practice,” said Monika, who appeared for Std X examination this summer.

“My father supported me a lot. He fulfilled all my demands. His dream was to see me reach great peaks on sports field. He used to come to meet me at my room regularly. He never forced me to attend any family functions nor asked me to visit my relatives’ place. I wanted to play hockey and he gave me a free hand,” Monika said, even as her voice choked.

Bringing up five girls would be a humoungous task for any parent but Nagoses never felt like that. “My father always treated me as a son.

“Now it’s my duty to take care of my family. I will study further and continue playing. I will work hard and who knows one day I may don India colours,” added Monika, who has so far played two sub-junior and two junior nationals.
She is also set to be selected as captain of Vidarbha sub-junior hockey team for the Ranchi nationals.