Back to school
It turned out to be welcome break for six Indian cricketers, including star batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who took time off to interact with a group of school children here on Monday. The students of the Global Indian International School, which follows the Indian syllabus and is the only one of its kind in the city, had a field day as they got to meet their idols in person. Harbhajan Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Ajit Agarkar and Mohd. Kaif were the others who made the visit to the school which has former Test player Chandu Borde as one of its board of directors.
 “A beautiful campus !” remarked Sachin Tendulkar as he drove into the Global Indian International School Kuala Lumpur campus on 18th Sept 2006 and admired the 60 year old heritage property. Sharing his views was Yuvraj Singh, who also accompanied Sachin and other players to meet the GIIS students.
 Coinciding with the visit of the Team India on 18th Sept 2006, the Global Indian Education Foundation celebrated its Foundation Day. It was on this day in 2002, that GIEF established its first school in Singapore with just 48 students.
And what a way to flag off the GIEF 5th Year Celebrations, than to have the who’s who of world & Indian cricket visit the GIIS campus in Kuala Lumpur and interact with its students. The Team India was in Kuala Lumpur playing the triangular series DLF cup with Australia and West Indies. 
Just as the players cars started arriving in the GIIS campus, GIIS students and teachers simply could not believe their eyes. Applause and Cheers got louder and louder as Yuvraj Singh, Ajit Agarkar, Kaif, Harbhajan Singh, Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar set their feet on the GIIS campus.
 The players paid tribute to the Father of Nation, and garlanded the Mahatma Gandhi statue at GIIS Campus. Quietly and without a fuss, the players shook hands and gave autographs to each and every GIIS student who had queued up for their idols to walk up to them. Teachers, who were equally mesmerized, also stood patiently with the children waiting for their turns to take autographs.
As the players mingled with the students, Yuvraj Singh admired the disciplined manner in which students stood in a neat line. “When I visit any school in India, they all come on me and I fall down with all kids on me, but here, children are very well behaved” remarked Yuvraj.
 A primary 1 student walked upto Sachin and asked, “My name is Suraj, what is yours? Little did he realize that he was one of the lucky few who not only saw him in person, but also got Sachin’s ear. The master blaster Sachin Tendulkar was stumped when a Primary 1 student went upto him and asked, “Sachin, What is your mobile number?”. Sachin replied “ My mobile number….?” Ha ha.. and laughed away.
 Harbhajan Singh, who was following Sachin and signing autographs, was told by a small girl “Oh, I just missed him” , referring to Sachin. Harbhajan shouted at Sachin and said, Oye, iddhar aa, isko autograph dey …..”. It was a very nice gesture on part of Harbhajan to ensure that even his fans got Sachins’ autograph. Ajit Agarkar and Kaif also pleased the GIIS students talking and joking with them.
 One man who certainly saw signing was a never ending thing was Dhoni, who was walking around with his characteristic smile. Dhoni, overheard two kindergarten (3 year olds) girls taking to each other. One was asking the other, “Do you know Gandhi tata?”. The other student replied she did not. First one told her, “Arey he is the one who was talking to Munnabhai in his dreams and made Munnabhai a good man.” Hearing this, Dhoni burst into uncontrollable laughter.
Hearing the electrifying buzz on GIIS campus, and watching over a dozen media people all over the campus, including the Indian television channels such as NDTV, Zee, Star, Aaj Tak, Headlines Today, Sahara & ESPN covering the visit, a few Indian people working in nearby areas flocked to the GIIS gates to get a glimpse of their idols.
 GIEF trustee and Vice President Mr. Chandu Borde played host to the players, explained that this visit will go a long way to fulfil his dream of developing atleast 5 to 6 national level players from the GIIS schools, who could later stand a chance to represent their countries in the ICC tournaments. Sachin and all players, who displayed remarkable admiration and respect for Mr. Borde, appreciated the GIIS efforts especially in cricket non-playing countries.
In the end Mr. Chandu Borde thanked the players for sparing some time off their hectic schedule to visit the GIIS campus and more importantly, interact with the GIIS students.
All this was over in just 20 minutes as players drove off for their swimming exercises.
A historic indeed, for the Global Indian Education Foundation and for the Global Indian International Schools.
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