Teachers' Day Special: The 'Dronacharya' to Sachin Tendulkar's 'Arjuna' - Ramakant Achrekar

Whenever Sachin would get tired after a long stint in the nets, the coach would place a one-rupee coin on the stumps. If he remained not out, the short-statured batsman would keep the coin; else, it would go to the bowler who dismissed him.

Quite often, the youngster ended up winning the silver piece, and now considers those thirteen coins as some of his most prized possessions – it is what taught him the real value of hard work.

Now at 40, and having achieved everything cricket had to offer, Sachin still seeks his childhood coach’s blessings and advice whenever he goes on tour.

Ramakant Achrekar

The frail, elderly teacher unfailingly obliges his most illustrious student, even though age has left its indelible mark on him. The master batsman looks upon his world-weary instructor as a mentor, a father figure and has always thought of him as an invaluable part of his family.

There’s an old saying that goes: Those who can’t do, teach. Perhaps Ramakant Achrekar could be counted as one of those talents who never quite got the opportunities they deserved. But as a teacher, he is second to none – he wasn’t awarded the Dronacharya award in 1990 for nothing.

When your pupils achieve the goals you have helped train them for, you feel an immeasurable amount of pride. That’s how the former club cricketer feels every time his most successful student churns out one fine performance after another.

In every sense, Achrekar Sir is the perfect Dronacharya to Sachin’s Arjuna. And on Teacher’s Day, we salute the humble coach who has given the nation and the game a gem that has not lost its lustre after 24 years of international cricket.

Happy Teacher’s Day Sir!