At an age when most of us would think it’s time to kick off our shoes, sit back and relax, Mr. K.D Bhatia is an exception. He is someone who has always been passionate about badminton but seriously started playing it in the year 1979 and has never stopped since. He is also the founder of a Badminton Club exclusively for senior citizens of the Freedom Fighter enclave in New Delhi. The average age of all the players who come to the club is 70 years and he is also soon to be featured in the Limca Book of records for the same. For Mr.Bhatia it is more than just another hobby. It is his passion and it is what drives his energy in life. Up until 2007 this was the regular routine of his life when he had a heart attack on the court. Since then he took a step back from actually playing the sport but continues to run the club with full vigor. Recently Hindustan Times decided to set up a surprise for this long time reader of their paper, who has built and nurtured a relationship with the paper for 40 years and has also served as a source of inspiration, and a way to rediscover themselves for the senior citizens of Freedom Fighter enclave.
HT arranged a special surprise for Mr.Bhatia where they hired a limo for him and his friends exclusively and organized a lunch for them at The Oberai Gurgaon. Mt.Bhatia’s wish was simple – to see that everyone had a good racket and a good pair of shoes to play the sport. A seemingly small wish for someone who has given a new lease of life for so many in the community. HT made sure that his humble wish got fulfilled by arranging brand new rackets for everyone. They also did a special feature on him on the front page of their newspaper with the caption saying ‘For us you are the headline’. And the (literal) icing on the cake was the huge badminton court shaped cake that the chefs at The Oberai whipped up for the special occasion.
HT’s desire to give back to its readers and thank them for their love and support is what prompted them to start this campaign called #SayThanks. This campaign is one way, one small step in the right direction to promote an environment of social positivity. Hindustan Times wishes to thank each and every reader for being part of their success. Once you get used to a certain way of life, it is easy to slip into that mode of taking things for granted. #SayThanks is your chance to add more value and meaning to the relationships in your life, to be thankful for what you have and to be thankful to the people who have made a difference in your life!
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