Sania Mirza recently encouraged Kolkata school kids to dream big and become successful in whatever field they chose in life. She beamed, "I was like any of you. If I can do it, anyone can do it. I hope to see many more Sanias from among you in the future".

Now, that's a great message from a great player from India, the 18-year-old who is the toast of the Sunfeast Open, being played in Kolkata from September 19 to 26. It had been a confident game she played with Sharapova and I watched late night US open Tennis earlier. Of coz, it was a sigh everytime she made unforced errors and second serve faults - the line she needed to improve and be less distracted as crowds cheered her. She didn't won but definitely this game experience would be outstanding and we await to see what's more coming from this sports celebrity.

However,in any game, its the sports spirit that is very important.Failure is never final, success is never ending. Defeat is only a challenge!

With some Muslim clerics raising objection to Sania's dress on the court, a massive security blanket has been thrown around Indian tennis talent Sania Mirza, now in Kolkata. Well, this is where Muslim clerics act as godfathers and their rigidity is 'nerves' wrecking the community and labelling them as 'backwards' - what not! At least, a voice reaches for a reform - Read here.

- ilaxi