IT IS POSSIBLE TO BE A BETTER VERSION

 

Excerpts from the editorial in Times of India of  March 9. 2026 and the sports page in the Sunday Times of India of March 8, 2026

It is always possible to be a better version of yourself.

When you are 110% heart, even 70% of physical fitness doesn't matter.

24 year old Lakshya Sen moved into the final of the All England Badminton Championship on 7thMarch2026. It was his second appearance in the final in four years. 

It was an energy sapping semi final that lasted one hour and 37minutes of three sets.

He was cruising 13-9 in the decider, when he developed cramps.Though he limped off, he decided to play through the pain barrier. And play he did. He dug deep and played on one leg in the third set. He said," I didn't know I could go all the way. I was just taking one point at a time. I fought for every point."

Winning and losing are cyclical and inevitable. 

Not all defeats are disasters. 

Some can be as inspiring as victories.

Coming second is not a tragedy. Expecting to win always is an impossible dream

In life, it's not how you start, but how you finish.

Axar Patel, bowled with precision, and to a plan.

Bumrah was again, just Bumrah. Simply unplayable. He is God's gift to Indian cricket, probably the greatest Indian bowler of all time.

Sport has a way of telling the world that there are better ways of engaging with each other, than fighting unnecessary wars.