Campus

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

By
OB Bureau

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.

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

PM Narendra Modi Tweets His Excitement Over Attending ‘Odisha Parba 2024’ Today

New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the ‘Odisha Parba 2024’ programme on…

November 24, 2024

SEBI In Dock As Bribery Case Involving Gautam Adani, His Officials Reaches Supreme Court

New Delhi: A fresh application was filed before the Supreme Court on Sunday urging the…

November 24, 2024

[Watch] Odisha CM Disburses Subhadra Assistance To Over 20 Lakh Beneficiaries In 3rd Phase

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Majhi disbursed the first instalment of Rs 5,000 under Subhadra Yojana…

November 24, 2024

Low Pressure Over Bay Of Bengal Becomes Well Marked; Will It Intensify Into Cyclone?

Bhubaneswar: The low-pressure over east Equatorial Indian Ocean (EIO) and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal…

November 24, 2024

Here’s Why Rishabh Pant Gifted Scooters To Two Factory Workers

New Delhi: Cricket fans were left gasping for breath in December 2022 when Indian wicketkeeper-batter…

November 24, 2024

ASI To Submit Schedule For Ratna Bhandar Repair Work Today: Odisha Minister

Puri: Repair work of Shree Jagannath temple's Ratna Bhandar in pilgrim town of Puri will…

November 24, 2024

Odisha Activists Rescue 20-Yr-Old Married Woman Trafficked To Maharashtra, Raped For 14 Days

Bhubaneswar: A 20-year-old married woman, allegedly kidnapped from Odisha's Nabarangpur and then raped, and held…

November 24, 2024

India Counted 640 Million Votes In A Day, California Still Counting: Elon Musk Takes Jibe At US Poll Process

New York: Slamming the prolonged delays in some parts of United States, Elon Musk on…

November 24, 2024