Winner takes all
Gagan Narang
“The important thing is not to win, but to take part,” said Pierre de Coubertin, the father of the modern Olympic Games. These words epitomise the Olympic spirit and every child has heard them, growing up. But who isn’t keeping count of the wins — the gold, silver and bronze that separate the winners from the rest?
If winning isn’t important, why keep score at all? We ask regular guys how important it is to be a winner, and what are the parameters by which they judge themselves.
“You only hear that saying when you’re on the losing team,” says IT professional Suman Kumar. “Have you ever heard someone who has won say it doesn’t matter? Of course it matters. Being a techie, my success is measured by peers and prospective in-laws on which company I work for, how much I earn and my prospects of moving abroad.”
“While Olympians compete on the biggest stage in the world, ordinary guys compete in every aspect of their lives,” says model Param. “For a model, success means moving to Mumbai and working with the biggest names. But for me, modelling is just a hobby. I’m a Pharmacology graduate and I have my own store back in Shimla and I’m opening one in Bengaluru,” says Param adding, “A winner is not necessarily the guy with the most money. If you do what you do well, money will come to you anyway.”
“Everybody remembers the winner,” says DJ Jasmeet. “Who remembers the other guys who participated? I think being a winner comes from how you see yourself. Others’ opinion is secondary. Only if you are a public figure, you compete in the spotlight and your wins and losses are judged by all.” According to the DJ, it’s not only your career that counts. “Of course, a full fridge is always good but you are a winner in the true sense when you are happy in your personal life and sleep peacefully at night.”
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