Sachin's auctioning his time, penny-pinchers not welcome

Mumbai: Cricket icon will coach highest bidders -- only because the money's going to charity

Do you want Sachin Tendulkar to teach you batting? Well, it'll cost you. For the one thing India's top willow-wielder promises is that he will not do it for "kanjoos people...".

Before you ask what Sachin needs more money for, here's the answer: it's about giving, the joy of it.

As brand ambassador for the Joy of Giving Week (September 27-October 3), a nation-wide initiative that hopes to build a 'giving culture' in India, the batting legend has decided to auction a one-day coaching camp during that week as one of his other contributions to the cause.

After 20 years of representing the country in cricket across the world, Tendulkar is now batting for another Team India -- an India that wants to give back to its people, selflessly and sensitively.

"I will spend time with the guy who auctions generously, I don't want kanjoos people...," a smiling Tendulkar told DNA in an exclusive interview on Friday. "Whoever bids generously, I will generously spend time with them because all the money is going to a good cause."

Tendulkar's long-standing ambition has been to uplift the lives of underprivileged children. Not only will the bid amount be funnelled to them, he himself is doubling his personal contribution towards the charity. He will now be supporting the education and care of 400 children. "When I was young, I was on the receiving end," he said. "Now I am on the other side, and I would like to give."

Giving was a lesson he learnt early, both from his father, "my biggest influence, who gave more than he had", and his coach Ramakant Achrekar, "whose entire life was about helping others achieve their dreams".

At 36, Tendulkar is still learning about the joy of giving. His latest teacher? His little daughter Sara, who chose to celebrate her 10th birthday last year by organising a fun fair for underprivileged children. "There is an atmosphere of giving at home," he said, "and it's important for me to set the ball rolling in creating the momentum across the country."

Evidently, there are no half measures with Tendulkar. Be it in cricket, or life -- passion is his measure for success. As he says: "I wouldn't measure contribution in the amount of money generated. I would measure it by sheer passion. One might contribute Rs1,000, but if one is passionate about it, and it is the best he can give, it is equivalent to Rs1 lakh."

Tendulkar's coaching camp will not make you an instant champion, but the real payoff is what the joy of giving does for you as a person.

Excerpts from the interview with Sachin Tendulkar

What is the auction about?

Nowadays, time is the most important factor for anyone. I would spend time with the guy who auctions (for the one-day coaching) generously. I don't want kanjoos people. Bid generously and I will generously spend time with you, because all the money is going to a good cause. It's about helping the underprivileged, a genuine cause. We all have to join the force, and once you set the ball rolling, it can gather momentum. But to push the ball, you need collective effort. Not just from three to four people, but from the whole country.

How did the idea of 'giving' originate?
Last year, when we were thinking about how to celebrate our daughter's birthday, we were wondering what would she like, where we'd have the party and what we'd gift her... And then she said that 'this year I've decided not accept any gifts. I'm going to tell my friends that if you're thinking of spending Rs200 or Rs300 on buying me a gift, instead give me that cash and I'm going to organise something for unprivileged children'.

We had a wonderful outing one afternoon on her birthday. She organised a fun fair kind of activity, games and food, in Govandi (a downbeat Mumbai suburb). They have this ground right on the highway. She felt good and I was extremely proud of her. What goes on in-between those ears in that small head is whatmatters, and I know she's on the right track.

What do you get out of giving?
The satisfaction of giving something and watching people react. When I was young, I was on the receiving end. Now I am on the other side, and I would like to give. Everyone, at any level, feels good about receiving gifts. It may be an ice cream, but you feel nice that somebody's thought of you. I felt that to support this cause (of giving) was important to create that awareness.

Which early influences shaped this perspective?
The biggest influence of my life, without any doubt, has been my father. He was so generous, never once did he mention what he was doing. Whatever he gave, he did it quietly... Somebody who doesn't have much in life, and a family to take care of, he was still sharing with others. He used to always encourage the newspaperwala and milkman to study. He even helped them with college fees. That had a huge influence on me.

Does your sport have any heroes who gave selflessly?
There are so many unsung heroes. A great example is my coach, Ramakant Achrekar. He himself wasn't an international cricketer but his entire life was about giving his students the best possible infrastructure and helping them achieve their dreams. For example, my club fees were just Rs11 per month but after practice, when I was tired, sir (Achrekar) would take me out for vada pav, a soft drink... all these things are about giving and being selfless.

Not everyone can give equally...
But if you have a heart, you will be part of it (giving)... It could be a contribution of Rs10. And I wouldn't measure contribution in the amount of money generated. I would measure it by sheer passion. One might contribute Rs1,000, but if one is passionate about it, and it is the best one can give, it is equivalent to Rs1 lakh.