Nelson Mandela, Kapil's role model

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Madurai, Jan 9 (UNI) When asked ''Who is your role model?'', former Indian Cricket Captain Kapil Dev, without any hesistation, said ''Nelson Mandela''.

''I had so many as my heroes and role models. But, now it is Nelson Mandela,'' he said while interacting with students here today.

During his cricket days, legendary batsman G R Vishwanath was his role model.

While his elder brother and his father were his role models during his childhood days, it was the student leader, that turned out to be the protagonist of his school days.

The yesteryear paceman said ''as we grow up our thinking expands, the boundaries get widened. We could not remain struck up with one role model. It keeps changing.'' He called upon the young minds to work hard to realise their dreams and urged them to be honest as there were no short cuts to attain greatness.

Cricket is one among the many games, he said and advised them not to get hooked to it but play all sports.

Admitting that he never gave due attention to studies as his interest was in cricket, Mr Dev advised the students to devote more time to their lessons while not neglecting sports altogether.

''Since many children remain deprived of education, those fortunate like you should make maximum use of the opportunity,'' he observed.