When Md. Shahid called for help to cancer ailing Olympian Vivek Singh…..

Living legend Mohd Shahid may now be undergoing medical treatment and need all our prayers, but 12 summers ago, he used his charisma to help out an ailing colleague, and showed his softer side of human being in full measure.

It was about 12 years ago, months before the Athens Olympics. Living legend Mohd Shahid rank me up to help him get an appointment with actor–turned politician Sunil Dutt, who had just taken over as the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports.

A call from the legend is most important for me, and agreed immediately.

He said the Memo was to get some fund from the said Ministry to assist cancer-suffering Olympian Vivek Singh.

After brief discussion, I insisted him visit Delhi and meet the Minister, as submission of memo won’t help immediate cause of getting enough fund for treatment.

A day later Mohd Shahid called and informed that Vivek Singh will be flying to Mumbai for ayurvedic treatment, and he can break journey if I want to meet him at the airport.

It was the time I and a couple of friends including Shailesh Chaturvedi of Hindustan Times, and Rajesh Sahu of TWI were putting together an organization called Hockey Journalists Association of India.

We thought it should be our first activity.

Words spread and wonderful response resulted from otherwise fragmented sporting fraternity.

We thought of collecting a fund first ourselves. Each one was assigned to meet other leading newspaper sports sections. Each assignee took their role very seriously. Journalist asking donation from fellow journalist, and it was sheer Mohd Shahid magic.

When we sent a collective mail for fund to NDTV for example everyone including Rajdeep Sardesai chipped in.

In about 48 hours we had Rs.43k.

Our target was 20k, but could collect only 16k till a few hours left. Anupam Ghulati presented 4k to round it off to 20k. However, as words further spread, we could doube the collection in hours. It was sheer Shahid magic, his appeal that worked.

At least eight of us media men went to Palam domestic airport. We met Vivek Singh, who looked tired but had enough spirit to engage all of us which includes NDTV’s Vimal Mohan, Doordarshan’s Digvijay Singh Do, Navbharat Times’ Satyender Pal Singh, Mail Today’s GS Vivek, HT’s Shailesh Chaturvedi, and others. We handed over the money to him, while having a life-time chat with the ailing Olympians. He was hesitant to receive the money, but was prevailed upon.

Even before I returned home, I had to stop my Priya scooter to attend a call from Mohd. Shahid.

The eulogy he heaped on Delhi media’s gesture is one that still fresh in my memory.

I avoid writing those generous words to avoid self-praising.

Within a week, we invited Mohd Shahid for a press conference, triple Olympian Harbinder Singh, Moscow Olympic Goldie Zafar Iqbal joined.

We got the Press Club venue free of cost, with help from Norris Pritam.

An exhibition match was announced there to collect fund. Digvijay Singh of then Doordarshan got the nod of Sunil Dutt to attend the event.

Railway Board helped us bring its Olympians. It also brought then women’s national team. Olympian Ashok Diwan playing a lead role in all these.

Many in the TV lost no time in getting the Minister to witness the exhibition match.

Sanjay Nirupam, then was in Shiv Sena, invited Delhiites to present in good numbers for the match, having spent an hour with us at National stadium.

But we the organizers, especially me, was getting nervous as we could not collect any sizeable fund to be given to Vivek.

We went all public sector institutions. Working journalist proved poor in marketing! Many even turned up without visiting cards!!

It was then Ajay Kumar Bansal came into picture. He took me an Indian Oil Boss who lost no time in sanctioning Rs.1 lac. With just two days left, we had hardly Rs.2 lacs commitment.

Things changed. Nehru Society chipped in. Many things fell in line. We could collect cheque worth of Rs.8 lac.

Vivek’s father and Mohd Shahid, together with Olympian Rahul Singh and his another brother turned up.

Sunil Dutt announced some measures, and spent almost three hours with us at Shivaji Stadium.

Who is who of Indian Olympians including Nandy Singh, Raghubir Lal, Ashok Kumar, MP Ganesh turned up to play for Vivek Singh Charity match.

MP Ganesh, then Executive Director with Sports Authority of India, got playing jerseys from Rakshak’s Kohli.

In hockey its first time a charity match was conducted and fund handed over when it was need, not long after the need perished.

Unfortunately, due to an inspection at DWL where he is officer, Mohd Shadid had faced lot of difficult to come Delhi on that day, but his will prevailed.

It was just a call from Mohd Shahid that energised all of us.

This event is personally a highlight for me.

Its Shahid’s persona, his magnetic appeal that helped Vivek Singh feel comfort in his times of ill-health.

Grateful Shahid invited me and Shailesh when they organized a fund collection meet in Varanasi, where Amar Singh opened the strings of UP govt’s purse.

The same Shahid who stood for his collegue Vivek is in need of our prayers to come out of the present pass.

Its holy month of Ramzan, we pray to the Almighty to bless the finest human being in his times of need.