Page 8 - Mann ki Baat English Feb 2026

has many players who have go, they remain connected to
emerged from Indian domestic the roots of their motherland and
cricket. American team captain contribute to the development
Monank Patel has also played for of their Karambhoomi, the
Gujarat's under-16 and under-18 country they live and work in.
teams. Saurabh from Mumbai, My dear countrymen, there is
Harmeet Singh and Milind Kumar no greater sorrow for any parent
from Delhi are all the pride of than losing one’s own child. The
the American team. The Oman pain of losing a very young child
team today has many players is deeper. Just a few days ago,
who have previously played for we lost Aalin Sherin Abraham,
different states of India. Players a little innocent girl from Kerala.
like Jatinder Singh, Vinayak She left this world at the age of
Shukla, Karan, Jai and Ashish just 10 months. Imagine—she
are strong links that bind Oman had a whole life ahead of her,
cricket. Players of Indian origin which abruptly ended. So many
are also ensuring their place in dreams and joys remained
the teams of New Zealand, UAE unfulfilled. The pain her parents
and Italy. There are countless must be undergoing is beyond
such players of Indian origin any expression in words. But
who are bringing pride to their even amidst such profound
respective countries, becoming pain, Aalin's father, Arun
an inspiration for the youth Abraham, and mother, Sherin,
there. This is the hallmark of made a decision that has filled
Indianness. Wherever Indians up the heart of every citizen

8 8