Inspiration
Touching Heights, Making Parents Proud: Manhan Shyamdasani!
Some are born to astonish. We personally would like to call him a wonder kid, however, his parents call him a blessing, his school likes to call him outstanding, his friends see him as their inspiration.
To summarize them all, we call him
Some are born to astonish. We personally would like to call him a wonder kid, however, his parents call him a blessing, his school likes to call him outstanding, his friends see him as their inspiration.
To summarize them all, we call him Manhan Shyamdasani.
Here to meet him at his home, along with his proud parents, Mrs. Shalini Shyamdasani and Mr. Pradeep Shyamdasani, from Neerja Modi School, Jaipur, Rajasthan, this 11-year-old child is a star when it comes to academics and extra-curriculars. Though, he loves indulging in sports the best, thanks to his dad!
We started off with some sweet nothings with his mom, Mrs. Shalini. To talk of Manhan’s interests, he is an avid footballer, inspired by his father, having won several awards on his young journey till now. He loves skating. Daddy here takes a chance to let us know how the child had participated in 55th National School Games in Delhi at a young age of 5 years. Astonished, we ask, “5 years at a national event?”, and Manhan chips in his memory to say that it was quite a trouble for him back then, yet an experience till date!
Read below to know a bit more about the young wonder!
Q. Who inspires you the most, Manhan?
Manhan: Papa, for any sports inspiration! I love engaging in football with him. And not just for sports, for Yoga, Dance, Vocal music, it all comes from dad! Mummy too is an inspiration; she’s the one who forces me into academics!
ScooTalks: Forces? You don’t like studying?
Manhan: I do, but isn’t sports all the greater fun? But it is all thanks to mummy that I got this 35th rank at an international level at National Science and Talent Search Examination.
Mummy: He had participated and secured a position in Rajasthan-level Abacus too. I hope he says something about me too.
Q. Oh! So you are good at dance and music as well?
Good or not, I do enjoy dancing and I can sing.
Here, we did get to see the amazing performer hidden inside him till now. Synchronized steps of Jazz Punk, a few really tough Yoga steps, which was followed by, ahem, Bhajan from the kid! Yet another Krishna Aarti followed for which his younger sister beautifully joined him.
Q. Well, now that we are talking of inspirations, you yourself are an inspiration to many. How do you feel like being an inspiration to many students like you, in fact, many beyond your age as well?
Manhan: Nothing much, sometimes I just get away from it all, sometimes it feels good. But occasionally it gets on to my nerves, like, no, I am not super star, I am like any other child, I would like to be at least.
Mom: Well, he is a good listener. I get to know he’s good at solving issues for others. And kids his age listen to him! Kids fight, he resolves, kids have homework troubles, he helps them out.
Q. Do you ever feel pressurized for your?
Manhan: Not till date! I enjoy all this, especially sports.
Dad: It’s just swimming that he doesn’t enjoy so much, so we never ask him for it, if he wants he swims.
Q. Being a sportsperson means being a team player as well. Any difficulties being in a team?
Manhan: Uhmm, not as a team. Sports teach a lot. Winning and losing become a part of life. Performance is something that makes you happy or sad.
Mom: Well, here, I must say, he’s the only junior footballer in his school who has been allowed to play with the senior team of his school, though yet not at an inter-school level. And since he performs well as a team, his senior players too love him and guide him with utmost care.
Q. Any fun moment, away from performance?
Manhan: Watching football matches with papa till late in the night! And watching Pro Kabbadi League, but this time it was no use, Jaipur team lost in the beginning itself. This is one sport I like watching, but don’t play. Might try sometime!
Q. What are the challenges that you face while in each of these activities?
Manhan: Competing against those super-seniors. I felt really embarrassed and bad during this 55th National School Games in Delhi when I was placed along with 14+ contestants for skating.
Mom: He was 5 years of age at the time, not even standing tall enough to reach their knees.
Q. We understand you have a hectic schedule. How do you manage all these together?
Manhan: Manage, hmmm, well mummy manages it all for me.
Mom: Finally, something for me and not his papa, I am actually quite jealous how he takes after his father and finds no inspiration in me!
Dad: That’s modest of her to say, but the backbone is always the lady of the home.
Q. So, this is all about performing well, being an all-rounder! What do you to do relax and have fun?
I watch Bollywood movies, Akshay Kumar. But I don’t like the fighting scenes, comedy movies are better. And then Star Sports.
Q. Well, to wind it up, any message to those who look up to you?
Manhan: Why would anyone look up to me? They should be what they are … and play a lot. Sports brings out the best in everyone.
ScooTalks: I guess he’s too young to answer that question!
Mom: Probably, but let me tell you how he guides his friends his age. He hates junk food, and tells them to eat vegetables like bitter gourd and spinach to keep running and be active, and his friends do listen to him! And in return, their mothers call me up to thank me! He also tells them how discipline is a must in day-to-day life, thanks to all the sports he indulges in!
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