Namaste Sir is how we always greeted Ramakant Achrekar Sir, who celebrates his 79th birthday today. However much I speak about Achrekar Sir, I feel it is not enough. I remember -- around 1985, when my brother Ajit took me to Sir, his initial reaction was that I was too young (12) and I could be brought to his nets after maybe six months or a year.

My brother had seen me play, so he requested Sir to observe me for a week. Ajit requested Sir to watch me from another place rather than from behind the net. Without me knowing, Sir kept an eye on me.