A personal tribute my first Captain Pinku da( Rajnesh Sarma)

At our ancestral house in Tezpur, every year during the Durga Puja, we will invariably find Pinku da, quietly watching the evening Aarti, from the far end, wearing a neat attire. An opportunity to stand beside him and share all my adventures of last one year is what I look forward to. An acknowledgement, a smile or a word of compliment from him, makes me super happy. So, every puja I always used to look up for those rare moments.

Pinku da, was probably the first person in my life whom I started admiring. When I was around 8-9 years old, he was the captain of the Kolibari Cricket Club and during those days my only goal in life, was to earn a place in KCC team, even if it is the 12^th man. So, I always try to do good deeds, so that I can be in good books of Pinku da.

He was like a walking encyclopedia of the world news. In absence of google or internet, our only window to interesting facts happening across the world was through Pinku da. After the practice sessions are over, Pinku da would lean over the boundary wall with support of his  one folded leg.  Spreading both his arms against the railing, he used to share his regular dose of cricket news. That was the time, we get to know whether it is Ravi Shastri or Dilip Vengsarkar, who will be crucial for India’s next test series. Even, his other close friends were equally knowledgeable and well-behaved. It is from  them  we learned our first lessons on sports man spirit.   

 
However, on one occasion, during the 1994 football world cup quarter final match between Brazil and Holland, Pinku da forecasted Holland wining the match. Brazil, being my favorite during those days, I and Satya was in no mood to agree to Pinku da. Even, Brazil was Pinku da’s favorite, but he had some logic behind his forecast, which someone of my age, would have never understood.

Though very young, that night we all got an invitation to watch the match together at Pinku’s house. Many of us were there in the drawing room, watching the match live in their  BPL TV ( if I remember correctly) , including my classmate Picku (Nilootpal Sarma) who was wearing orange shorts and performed a signature buttock dance when Holland scored the second goal leading 2-0. In the second half, the matched took a U turn with Brazil finally winning 3-2. That night me and Satya were particularly happy for the fact that our sheer love for Romario and Bebeto, won over Pinku da’s logic for Holland. Nilootpal  fell silent and Pinku da smiled and complimented us believing in the Brazilian team.  That compliment from Pinku da was more valuable for us  then the joy of  Brazil wining the match. 

I always liked visiting Pinku da’s house. There was a feel-good factor, as everyone from Anjali Borma to Heramba Borta would make me comfortable by not asking me anything related to my academics. They all knew I was not good in studies and I don’t like it when someone asks me about my grades in school. So, it was always about sports in his house. I have found memories of them from my childhood, with Kukumoni ba, Bhona ba, Jinku da, Pinku da, Borma and Borta, all giving equal importance to me. When he finally got married, Deepa bow and Pinku da naturally became my ideal couple. I remember, his brother -In law Utpal Medhi, who was a star cricketer of Assam would also sometime join us for evening practice at the Ban theater ground. We used to be at awe, watching his cricketing skills. Later, when Aryan and Ishan, were growing up, I sometimes felt like asking Pinku da, what pep talks he gives to his boys that they are so well-behaved.

Years later, the night before my father expired, Pinku’s da was the one who sat with father, and talked for hours. Next, day daueta expired and Pinku da once again came, this time sat beside “Ma” for hours to give her solace. Later, when I later asked Pinku da, what they discussed the previous day, he never told me. They both were man of less words and only actions, so I always wanted to know, what his final thoughts were but now those discussion have lost forever in the universe.  

 Once, during Durga puja, i was organizing our traditional family lottery, where almost everyone is sure to win a prize, even if it is a tiny Rexona soap. That year Pinku came up with a unique idea. As the lottery ended, he instantly declared a cash prize for a single quiz question. It was open to all and whoever answers will get the cash prize. Very cleverly, he framed a question around volleyball, so that I am the only one who can answer, just to make sure that I am rewarded for my effort to organize the family lottery. That was his style of acknowledging and rewarding a good effort. Pinku da, definitely had the purest soul, because once even a bite from King Cobra could not poison his blood. He returned safe and hearty.

Pinku da, is loved and admired by one and all in our Tezpur town. He would extend his support for all noble causes. Recently, when we organized the Super League of BVL Season 5 at Tezpur, he not only supported us financially but also came to see the preparation two days before the main ceremony. When I saw him at Polo field, I really felt very good. I took the opportunity to personally take him and Deepa bow around the main stadium to explain how we planned the entire event, minute to minute, from where the chief guest will enter, what they will eat and how the teams will march. He hardly said anything but from his expression I could figure out he was proud of me. I too felt proud because I was once again able to make him proud with my deeds.

“Pinku da, you left us too early. You were one of those people with whom I always feel pride sharing my adventure. Now, the very thought of not finding you again during those Durga Puja aartis, makes my hearty heavy. Rest in peace my Captain, we all love you”  
Love , Subul

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