Not so Far Not so Near

By Jyot Chhaya

wish Jyot all the best for the future, not only in cricket but for his coming life too. The day I saw him, I didn t know him and had not seen him before but there was an instinct that made me realize that this boy has something in him to be put to serious practice.
Nayan Mongia
Former wicket keeper of Team India and
Chairman-Senior Selection Committee-Baroda Cricket Association


My best wishes for the book. It takes great courage to write a book at the quarter stage of life.
Irfan Pathan
Member of Team India


I am very happy to know that Jyot has put his thoughts and experiences from crucial years of his life in the form of a book and tried to bring it to the people.
I hope that the parents of young, budding cricketers would be inspired by this book and would go in the same direction.
Yusuf Pathan
Member of Team India

• Language: English
• Publisher: Notion Press
• Release date: Jun 20, 2015
• ISBN: 9789352060597

Book preview

souls.

1. HELLO WORLD, HERE I COME

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According to Hindu Philosophy, the entire basis of life and Universe is based on the functioning of the Holy Trinity- called Trimurti

Lord Brahma, a sage resting on a giant Lotus, is the divine creator of life. Lord Vishnu, resting in the calms of the deep ocean, on the coils of a Seven-headed serpent called Sheshanaga, is the preserver of life. Lord Shiva, resting in the frigid summit of Mount Kailash on the Himalayas, is the destroyer.

Hindu scriptures accredit the birth as a human after passing through 88 lakh cycles of birth-death and rebirth-ranging from the smallest of the microorganisms to the most colossal like the dinosaurs. The opportunity to be born in a human avatar depends on Karma or the good deeds performed in previous avatars.

I was born at 8:30 am on December 03, 1989, in the Chhaya family at Dr. Javia’s hospital, Junagadh, Gujarat, India.

Shri Bhagyesh, my father, was informed about my birth by Shri Himanshu, his colleague, a telephone operator at GCEL. The Chhaya and the Desai families (my father’s and mother’s side) began a rapturous celebration of a son born in the family, who is Sagittarian by the zodiac sign and as per Indian astrology, makar rashi (with naming syllables kha and ja)

All the family members started to search and suggest a suitable name for me, and Jyot, a suggestion by Jagruti fai was liked by all. Hence I got my name on the 12th day of my birth. The celebrations began at my Nanabapu’s place at Rector’s bungalow, Junagadh and my name was disclosed to the world by my paternal aunt Jagruti fai putting an end to all the 12 days of excitement, anxiety and curiosity about my name.

My journey of life had begun with a fitting celebration.

2. A FAMILY OF VALUES

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Shri Bhagyesh, my father had completed his Diploma in Electronics and Radio Engineering (DERE) from A.V. Parekh Technical Institute (AVPTI), Rajkot got employed in a Government of Gujarat Undertaking enterprise namely Gujarat Communications and Electronics Limited (GCEL) at Baroda.

Smt. Parul, my mother, completed her Bachelor of Arts degree from Bahauddin College of Arts, Junagadh. Getting married soon after her graduation, she decided to focus and give priority on homemaking and family matters and upon expecting her first child in me, decided to dedicate her time in showering nourishing care and affection to me. Since that day, she has been constantly observing, assisting and loving me with all her heart.

Shri Mahesh Chhaya, my grandfather, was a celebrated athlete in his time, having represented at University level in Cricket and was one of the renowned cricketers for Kathiyawad (presently Saurashtra) in the early 50’s. Also he represented the University in Badminton, Running (100 mtrs, 200 mtrs, and 400 mtrs relay race). His fitness and expertise in running had everyone talking that if Mahesh was in a race, other contestants should only focus on bagging the silver or bronze. In 1983, Dada retired as a Deputy Commissioner of Fisheries, Department of Fisheries, Government of Gujarat after my father migrated to Baroda for the job. He had been awarded many trophies and medals during his college tenure. For his honest working nature, he visited South Korea for six month for Deep Sea Fishing Training and Malaysia for one month to procure fishing vessels JESAL and TORAL for Fisheries department. He is indeed an inspiration and role model for me as far as my cricket is concerned.

Presently he is giving honorary service as President of Saurashtra Pensioners’ Association and sharing his experience with young cricketers at Bal Bhavan in Rajkot. I belong to such a family where sports and studies is given equal priority although no family member has ever forced me to do anything which is not of my interest.

Dr. Akhilesh, my paternal uncle, completed his Master degree in Anesthesiology from M. P. Shah Medical College, Jamnagar. Recently he is serving as Associate Professor at Sumandeep Hospital, Pipalia, Dist. Baroda

My mother’s side is also as illustrious as my father’s side, so I guess I derive the best inspiration to achieve better in life from the strong DNA of my parents.

Dr. Abhay, my maternal uncle (whom I fondly address as Ashumama), is the Dean of Fisheries College at Veraval.

Smt. Kashmira, my maternal aunt, is working as Senior Scientist with Department of Forensic Science, Government of Gujarat.

Shri Jyotish, my other maternal uncle, is working as Curator in Mumbai Municipal Corporation.

Smt Pankti, my cousin sister, is working as Deputy Engineer in GETCO, a unit of GUVNL at Sikka Thermal Power Station, Dist. Jamnagar

These luminaries were my key inspiration to study and achieve something constructive in life. I look up to them as role models. They may be simple Government Employees, but each and every one has lived a life of integrity, honesty, hard working and dedication in their duties, which I truly admire and salute.

From sports to engineering to scientists and public service, I am surrounded by an array of inspiring life models. People look to celebrities and other persons for an idol. I find, myself, so lucky that I could find many inspiring persons in my family itself.

Above all I cannot forget one personality, who is all behind Desai family and is indeed a the God-like figure for all of us Shri Yogibhai, my maternal grandfather, Nanabapu, was known as a very strict person in his younger age but everybody is saying Yogibhai has changed his nature and has become very soft. He served as an Army Major in National Cadet Crops (NCC) during his early days of life. He was retired as a Principal in Arts faculty of Bahauddin College, Junagadh. He is also engaged and devoted to the Theosophical Society and was President for the Gujarat Chapter. Presently he is one of the trusties at Anand Ashram, Bilkha.

Smt. Umaben, my maternal grandmother, Naniba, is considered to be a all time source of positive energy and the strongest pillar of my family. She has scarified her whole life in serving family and in upbringing of each and every member of family. The circumstances didn’t allow her to study further but she is indeed a real teacher and the Goddess for all of us. Every now and then, you can find her sharing encouraging words of wisdom to someone or the other and she keeps on encouraging and giving positive thoughts which led our family to be the way we are.

I am the only son of my parents, but I have five immediate cousins-Panktiben, Vatsal, Jay, Yash, and Disha.

3. HARDSHIP: LIFE’S BIGGEST TEACHER

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My father, Bhagyesh, was working with GCEL- A Govt. of Gujarat Enterprise in Baroda. Soon after my birth, my tiny feet crawled into Baroda at an age of two and half months and from here I have begun my journey of life. My grandfather- Dada was bit a stubborn in nature and my father had to part ways and sought a life of his own in a new city with only Rs 300 in his wallet. In 1988, after marriage, my parents began observing their family life in a rented house in Haridham apartment, Manjalpur.

Prior to my birth, my parents thought about me and thought for a outright purchase of our own house. They started to manage the house with the income they had. Incurring many expenses on a single working person’s salary often left the family with as little as Rs 50 at the end of each month. Still they were able to book a new house of their own in Tulsidham Apartment paying Rs. 5000 as token money and thereafter a loan from HDFC of Rs. 70,000 for 20 years. Both of them managed so well that I didn’t remember a single day when my childish wishes were ignored or not fulfilled.

On September 08, 1989, my parents shifted to our own house in B-205, Tulsidham Apartment. Mummy and Pappa both were so caring of me that they spent most of their time for my upbringing in the way they wanted. Neighbours and colleagues all were so supportive during the time when my father was working hard to fulfill my needs. It was the time when my mother handled every situation so perfectly, even though she had to work day and night, and often she didn’t bother about her health. Father used to go to work early in the morning. As an infant, I would cry at all odd hours of the day or night but my mother managed everything with a smiling face. I was just two and half months old and my parents had to manage everything in new house along with me.

No one was around them to support. Both of them were young to handle the situations and nobody bothered what they were doing, but thanks to almighty, he gave full strength and courage to my parents to manage each and every situations. My mother used to cook, do household chores, and manage the guests single-handedly.

Jyotishmama used to stay with us as he was studying in M S University for his Masters in Museology. He would shower his affection and care on me when my mother was busy. I was used to his activities and gentle nature. He would recite the Dattbavni prayer which would be like a soothing lullaby for me in the afternoon. In the evening, the melodious voice of my mother singing Pranat Pal and my father singing the hit film song Oh re taal mille (originally sung by Mukesh-my father’s favourite singer ) would be the comforting rhymes for me. I would not sleep if the same routine was not maintained.

I was a growing child and would not know the rough times or situations and even had no idea of the difficulties my parents were facing in those times. Now looking back, it feels sad to note that none from my father’s side offered a helping hand in the early years of professional struggle. But my gentle natured father did not think too much on what is not and focused his energy towards what is and what could be for a promising future.

Time passed with all the hurdles, and at the age of two and half years it was time when I was to be admitted to school. Before I started my school, my mother used to teach me the basics of rhymes, numbers, and alphabets that helped me to pass through the interviews and get admission in Nursery. I first picked a pencil with left hand and started to write and thereby I turned ‘lefty’. Positive thoughts, stories, lessons replaced toys, games and television during my upbringing years. Outdoor sports were given encouragement rather than to sit and play with toys and watching cartoons in TV. Discipline, regularities, punctuality were the words used instead of pampering and surrendering to tantrums. It was a kind of regimental education started right from the word go.

First time I started writing on the hanging small black board and my mother asked me to write alphabets and numbers almost every day. I always used to write the letter upside down. The alphabet or the number which I used to write was correct but I always wrote it in mirror image. Once it happened twice and thrice, every time I used to write upside down. On one such day, I received a strong scolding and a telling slap on my cheeks from my mother, which flung me from one room to another. I could understand the underlying frustration and parental care in her harsh action. The time passed, my first interview in the nearby English medium school (Little Flowers) was held. Both of them were excited and tensed with the mixed feeling whether I would do it properly or not. With this dilemma, they took me for the interview with all preparations. They both wanted me to do well and get through as school was nearby and one of the renowned schools of