Positive Mindset Can Fight All Odds: Former Cricketer Arun Lal At SOA In Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: A positive mindset is the greatest asset of a person to fight the odds in life, said former opening batsman of Indian cricket team Arun Lal on Saturday.

Speaking at a World Cancer Day programme, organised at the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital in Bhubanewar, Lal said, “The body adjusts to what the mind believes… you must believe that you can win.”

Himself a cancer survivor having successfully battled the condition for eight months, the former cricketer, coach and commentator said his rare jaw cancer which was diagnosed very late forced him to go through a prolonged treatment including a major surgery. “When my cancer was diagnosed, it was a ‘touch and go’ situation. But till surgery, I never thought even for once that I will be defeated or I was facing death,” he said.

Describing medical science as a ‘work in progress’, the former test batsman said, “Science may progress far ahead in 100 years, but human spirit is our strength which will take us beyond technology.”

Recalling his experience as a young cricketer, Lal said while playing for Delhi University he fractured his ankle during an inter-university Rohinton Baria Trophy match. His ankle was put on plaster but he removed it after nine days though the pain persisted.

“I insisted that I must play the final against Osmania University. I was hobbling and batted with much difficulty. I depended mostly on loose balls to score runs. We needed 80 runs to win and I had the last batsman Sunil Valson for company. I scored all the required runs alone to remain undefeated for 164 which I reckon to be the finest innings of my career,” he said.

“Doctors are very important for us to remain healthy. We must take the help of medical science and technology. But one should not be limited by these. We ourselves should push our own frontiers because doctors and medical personnel would not know what you are made of,” Lal said.

“Mind can conquer your pain, physiology. The only thing stopping you is you yourself,” Lal, who was given a standing ovation after his speech, said.

Prof Sanghamitra Mishra, Dean of IMS and SUM Hospital; Prof Pusparaj Samantasinhar, Medical Superintendent; Prof Neeta Mohanty, Dean of Institute of Dental Sciences; Prof Saroj Panda, Head of Pediatric Oncology department and Prof Sunil Agrawal, Head of Surgical Oncology, also spoke.

Speaking at the concluding function of SOA Cup, Lal said studies and sports should go together at the university level for the all round development of students. “If students don’t give equal importance to sports with their studies, they will remain half-educated,” he added.