A trophy for life

What is achievement? What qualifies as one..... A job? a promotion? marriage? Lucky for a few, we live in a world where we can define what "achievement" means to us. The world however decides in its own way what achievement means, and those who fool themselves are quietly dropped off the pages of history. Their existence remains as memories within their families for a generation or two, after which their own heirs bury their memories. The true achievers on the other hand attain immortality, earning themselves a rightful and dignified place in history.
Whilst having dinner at Madhu's place this Saturday, we had a revelation, he just happens to be the first Kannadiga to swim across the English Channel. It was only upon nudging further details out of him did I truly understand the magnitude of his accomplishment. The greatest challenge of the swim is not it's length, it is the cold water that bites into the muscle making the swim even harder. Then the shoals of jelly fish, the huge vessels that dwarf the swimmer,.... all factors that contribute to the fear and anxiety in the mind. And that is the biggest threat to the swimmer. The swim is a true test of strength, both physical and mental.

Even more awe-inspiring, was Madhu's calm and composed account of it, not a hint of arrogant pride as he gave an account of his feat. Modesty, a virtue that will capture everyone's heart. As I was skiing on Sunday, many a time I wondered what would have gone through his mind. Did he ever reach tipping point? Did he ever get close to giving up? I'm sure there were would have been times when he came close, but just pure will power would have helped to draw out energy from within him. And that is the essence of an achiever, his success does not come easy, there will be more than a few factors that will threaten to overpower him, to lead him down the path of failure, ....but his iron will supercedes them all.
Salutations to you Madhu, I am proud to be your countryman.