Rahul Dravid releases Eye Opener, an autobiography of a visually challenged man with extraordinary vision
“It is a great story of inspiration of what can be achieved if you have an extraordinary vision,” said the former Indian captain on Mahantesh GK’s book, one he virtually launched in Bengaluru on Thursday
“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision”
– Helen Keller
Bengaluru, September 10, 2020
When life deals you an unkind cut, how you respond to it offers a window to the character you possess. It’s possible that a majority will accept the blow philosophically. Only a chosen few decide to look adversity in the face, and embark on a path that allows them to not just lead life on their own terms but also open up avenues for others afflicted by similar or other misfortunes. Eye Opener, an autobiography of a visually challenged man with extraordinary vision, showcases one such extraordinary story.
Rahul Dravid, legendary Indian Cricketer and former Indian Team Captain, Mahantesh GK, Founder Managing Trustee of Samarthanam, Satish Vishwanathan, Cricket Journalist, Rajendra KR, Mahantesh’s mentor and Subu Kota, President of Samarthanam USA have together launched the Autobiography, “Eye Opener,” virtually from their respective locations.
Releasing this soul-stirring account, former Indian cricket captain Rahul Dravid couldn’t stop himself. In his words, ““Eye Opener” is an inspiration to the entire society. It is a fascinating story, a story waiting to be written, needed to be written and the time has come to record decades of achievements. It is a great story of inspiration of what can be achieved if you have an extraordinary vision. We are inspired to what can be done to the society from the story of Mahantesh GK. He touched the lives of many people out there and made a difference in their lives.”
Mahantesh GK, speaking on the occasion, “Completing my autobiography and releasing it today, on my friend and Co-Founder of Samarthanam, Nagesh SP’s birthday is a treasured moment for me. The book was released by Rahul Dravid, Satish Vishwanathan, Rajendra KR, and Subu Kota which makes me feel extremely honoured. I convey my sincere gratitude to all those people who have been a part of my life’s journey. I look forward to continuing my service to the society and contribute to the making of an inclusive world.”
Published by Notion Press, this autobiography opens a window into the world of Mahantesh G Kivadasnnavar and his love for Cricket that acted as the driving force behind turning his extraordinary vision into reality. Blindness at birth can be particularly debilitating because right from the off, you are deprived of self- dependency. You rely on others to help perform even the most basic of activities, which can result in diminished self-confidence and self-esteem. However, if you learn to not just take the disability in your stride but also use it as a motivation to scale the ladder of life, then sky is the limit. This is what has been amply illustrated by author Mahantesh along with co-author Satish Viswanathan, a veteran cricket journalist.
Rahul Dravid added, “It is easy to organize big cricket tournaments but it requires great courage and dedication to organize Blind Cricket Tournaments and Mahantesh GK and his team have registered incredible achievements. I was the Brand Ambassador for one of the Blind Cricket World Cups and it is an incredible game. Mahantesh is a true leader who inspite of various adversities, went on with his journey and inspired many people around him.”
Presented with the easier option of falling back on family support and coasting through life, Mahantesh opted for the most arduous path of making a name for himself and offering inspiration as well as financial independence to thousands of others. Fusing his love for cricket with an innate desire to look beyond himself, he has carved a niche both through his illustrious association with blind cricket, and the Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled that he founded.
This book is an exploration of the light that burns in all of us, the obstacles that threaten to extinguish that light, and the treacherous ascent towards growth and success.
Being born without sight does not mean a lesser life. Mahantesh turned a visionary, refusing to give in to obstacles and today presiding over a trust for the disabled and a sports body promoting cricket for the blind. Author Mahantesh is now the President of World Blind Cricket (WBC) and Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI).
Eye-Opener charts Mahantesh’s fascinating, undulating journey from the outpost of Belagavi to the hustle and bustle of constant international travel, reiterating that blindness, or any disability, is no deterrent if you have will, passion, enterprise and industry.
You can now get your copy of Eye Opener at Notionpress.com, Amazon.com, Amazon.in, Flipkart.com, Kindle. Copies, including ones printed in Braille, can also be ordered on mail to info@samarthanam.org
