endorses Mahi has taken over the international cricket by storm. MENTOR’s correspondent has a tete-a-tete with Mr. D. R. Singh, Principal of Dhoni’s alma mater…
“He never hit centuries in any of his subjects. Right from nursery to class XII he was generous and soft spoken” "It's quite a nice feeling and a different experience altogether. While studying in school, I had never thought that such a thing would happen" "The youth here needed a role model whom they could follow. Dhoni is the motivation and hope of this small town. He has taught youth to reach their destination with hard work and perseverance,"
"We have an excellent academic track record for the School. Our students are given personalised attention to crack the country's toughest entrance examinations. We have always stressed on a good relationship between teachers and students. This practice has done wonders," revelled Mr. D. R. Singh, Principal of the School. In the state capital Jawahar Vidya Mandir has today carved its niche in producing IITians and medicos. Not just a Dhoni, the school has produced many sporting stars including Rajesh Kumar and Rajesh Prasad who have played the U-17 and U-19 cricket tournaments. It also has a strong hold over inter-school cricket tournament in which it has won the champion's and runners up trophies in the last few years. Of sixes and centuries:
"Dhoni was an average and obedient student. He never hit centuries in any of his subjects. Right from nursery to class XII he was generous and soft spoken. He was a good football goalkeeper of our school team but one of our sports teachers noticed his cricketing abilities and rest is history. We are proud of Dhoni's success but we are equally smug of his generosity. The best thing about this skipper is that he has not let success storm his head." says Mr. D. R. Singh swaying his thoughts back to the days when Dhoni was in School.
Memorabilia:
Dhoni's humility also left his teachers overawed during a party organized on the campus by the school authorities. Sharmistha Kumar, class teacher of the star cricketer was so overwhelmed by the gesture of Dhoni that she was nearly on the verge of tears. "He showed me the Parker pen that I gifted him long back," Sharmistha said, her voice heavy with emotion. Remarkable a memory that could leave a trail of emotions behind him shows the humility of this great personality. Sensitive and yet so touching a gesture from an international celebrity moved hearts of the teachers who moulded his tender years at School.
The charisma:
Dhoni was a hit among his teachers and he ensured that adequate attention was given to each of them. "It's so unusual that Dhoni who is so busy in international cricket and shooting for television commercials has taken time off and come prepared for the party. He is not only a great batsman but also an organised person. He is a great man," teachers said.
For Dhoni, this luncheon organized to honour him was a real table turner. Teachers who used to sign his notebooks were mobbing him for autographs. Surely the cricketer was on the other end. "It's quite a nice feeling and a different experience altogether. While studying in school, I had never thought that such a thing would happen," Dhoni said.
And when talent is identified young…
All kudos to his sports teacher, Mr. Chanchal Bhattacharya who recognized the talent of Dhoni in his formative years and handed him a larger glove. A year after Dhoni hung up his football gloves he made it to the Under-16 Bihar cricket team. Barely three years after that he became a first class player and found his place in the Ranji Trophy team. And five years thereafter he entered international cricket. Dhoni's swashbuckling batting impressed pacer Sreenath to the extent that he remarked "Where was this bomber hiding?"
It was not an easy task for Bhattacharya to shape Dhoni's future. "He was a fast learner and surely switching to cricket from football is not an easy task. To begin with football made Dhoni sturdy and physically strong. I had to work on him to perfect his cricketing techniques. He toiled hard and it was encouraging to see him shapeup as an excellent cricketer. We both enjoyed cricket together," Bhattacharya asserted.
Matchless power:
He also claimed that when Dhoni began cricket he realised that his forte lay in batting and that his style was natural. "He has a style of his own and batting for him comes naturally. Within few years he bloomed into an all rounder. It was overwhelming to see him hitting power packed shots. His power is matchless and that's what makes him a player in his own league. He is ruthless with spinner and pacers," Bhattacharya added.
Incorrigible…
Was Dhoni naughty or a prankster on the campus? "No" teachers refuted in unison. "M.S Dhoni studied in our school for 14 years. We never received any complaint about his behaviour or misconduct. Right from the beginning he has been a thorough gentleman. We never had disciplinary problems with Dhoni," the principal added.
On Destiny:
On a serious note, teachers in DAV, Shyamali feel that there is much more to the success of the wicketkeeper and batsman Dhoni. They claim that Dhoni has become a youth icon for small town teenagers. "The youth here needed a role model whom they could follow. Dhoni is the motivation and hope of this small town. He has taught youth to reach their destination with hard work and perseverance," teachers said. | 
