There are over 200 million illiterate women in India. This low literacy negatively impacts not just their lives but also their families' and the country's economic development. A girl's lack of education also has a negative impact on the health and well-being of her children.
If efforts to do social work are couched in selfish motives, then they will die a premature death. Why would my efforts get politicised? I have values I inherited from my father. He helped many. Anyone, even a postman knocking on our door would get a glass of water and some sweets.
I never played with a runner in my entire life, even in schools, because only I know where the ball is going and how hard, when I hit the ball, something my runner will never know about.
I hate losing and cricket being my first love, once I enter the ground it's a different zone altogether and that hunger for winning is always there.
I have never tried to compare myself to anyone else.
Obviously after such a long gap, one itches to get back to the game and score big runs.
I am not thinking too far ahead, just want to take it one thing at a time.
My point of view is that when I am playing cricket I cannot think that this game is less or more important.
I just keep it simple. Watch the ball and play it on merit.
And that is the reason why this victory is great, because different players have made contributions to the win.
When I was 15, I started playing first class cricket and always dreamt of being a Test cricketer, wanted to do something for the country, married in 1995, have 2 kids it's been great.
I have never thought where I will go, or forced any targets on myself.
Every individual has his own style, his own way of presenting himself on and off the field.
I feel it's the conscious mind that messes things up. The conscious mind is constantly telling you, this might happen or that might happen, even before it has happened. Your conscious mind tells you the next ball might be a out-swinger, but when it's coming at you you realize it's an in-swinger... so literally, you've played two balls.
Before coming here I had a minor back problem and I thought whenever I play Pakistan I get a back problem.
I believe every era has its significance and the same holds true for players and coaches.
Shoaib Akhtar has been playing for 5, 6 years and is an experienced bowler.
At least with me, the match starts much, much earlier than the actual match.
When there is time to think about cricket, I think but when there is time to be with family, I try to do justice to that aspect of my life as well.
Critics haven't taught me my cricket, and they don't know what my body and mind are up to.
