The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : An occasion that thrilled Kumble

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Saturday, Dec 15, 2007
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An occasion that thrilled Kumble

Staff Reporter

The Test captain takes part in alma mater’s anniversary function

— Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

Centre of attraction: Cricketer Anil Kumble and students on the occasion of the 90th anniversary function of the National High School in Bangalore on Friday.

BANGALORE: Perhaps no amount of achievement in his profession might have made Indian Test cricket skipper Anil Kumble that happy than the felicitation by his alma mater here on Friday.

As hundreds of boys and girls cheered and whooped at Mr. Kumble at the National High School premises at Basavanagudi on the occasion of the school day on its 90th anniversary, the cricketer went down memory lane recalling the good old days.

Like all other boys of his age, he too was mischievous and created trouble for his teachers. Not that the latter were complaining: they were plainly thrilled when the cricketer mentioned their names among those who had guided him.

“My grandfather was the headmaster of the school when I was studying,” he said, hastening to add that this did not entitle him to any special privilege.

Changing tactics

The skipper fondly remembered how the late H. Narasimhaiah, the charismatic teacher who did not like cricket, became a lover of the game. “During every year when the new batch was welcomed to the eighth standard, HN (Narasimhaiah) used to say how cricket had been spoiling valuable time of the people.”

However, when he learnt that Mr. Kumble was making strides in the field, he started taking keen interest in the game and watching the cricketer’s growth.

NES Institutions president A.H. Rama Rao; high school headmaster Maraseeyappa; Basavanagudi National College principal M. Leelavathi; and NES secretary S.N. Ananda Rao were present.

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