We are the world!
India and its rise in most fields as a formidable force is something that has been dealt with time and again. This article promises to be no different, simply because Indians reaching the zenith is something that can't be ignored. And in the past few weeks we have had 2 such Indians who have been firsts in their own rights - Sania Mirza and Narain Karthikeyan
Sania Mirza, a household name in Indian tennis, and probably, the best Indian woman tennis player at present, all of just 18, became the first ever Indian woman to reach the 3rd round of a Grand Slam, in this year's Australian Open, where she went down fighting to the mighty Serena Williams, the eventual winner. But this wasn't her first big leap to fame, Sania, the new pin-up girl of Indian sports and a media student in Hyderabad, was the first Indian woman to win a Grand Slam, when she won the junior Wimbledon doubles title in 2003 partnering 13 year old Russian Alisa Kleybanova. Sania, who recently declared in an interview that she wants to be recognized as a winner and achiever and not as a sex symbol, has made the hopes of many Indian sports fans come closer to truth. With the speculations of her partnering Martina Navratilova in the upcoming Hyderabad Open and Sania had paired with former French Open champion Mary Pierce in the inaugural edition. Last year, Sania won the title in the company of South African Liezel Huber. With a career best WTA ranking of 134, she definitely is going places
Narain Karthikeyan, the second of the Indians to make it big in the news early in 2005, has been selected to don the helmets as the number one driver for the 2005 season for Jordan Ford in Formula One, the fastest sport in the world. Long due, Narain, dubbed as the fastest Indian in the world, is the first ever Indian to be selected to drive in the Formula One Championships. Initiated into the world of racing by his father, G.R. Karthikeyan, a former Indian National Rally Champion, Narain cut his teeth in the racing world by joining the ELF Winfield Racing School in France. This prestigious racing school has produced champion drivers like Alain Prost and Damon Hill. His talent was evident from his performances there. He was one of the finalists in the Pilote Elf Competition for Formula Renault cars. This was in 1992. Narain was just fifteen. Narain now is ready to take on the world in the 2005 Formula One season.
All the very best to both these achievers!!