Sachin urges countrymen to believe in the power of love
The Times of India, July 13, 2006

NEW DELHI: Sachin Tendulkar on Thursday hailed the spirit of Indian people, which he said has helped the country quickly overcome the devastating serial blasts in Mumbai, and urged his countrymen to believe in the power of love. 

"It was extremely unfortunate, so many innocent lives were lost. But it has also shown the strength of our Indian people. People were back to work on the same trains the very next day," Tendulkar said. 

"This is the strength of Bharat (India), to help each other in difficult times. When we do this, our strength grows, our love for each other grows. 

"We have seen people helping others whom they have not known before, giving them water and food. These things happen rarely outside India. 

"We have to keep helping each other, it will only strengthen our bonding." 

Seven explosions in Mumbai suburban trains during evening rush hour left more than 200 dead and several injured on July 11. 

Tendulkar said the incident reminded him of 1993 serial blasts which had devastated the metropolis. 

"It happened in 1993 and has happened again in 2006. There was an eight-year old boy who suffered in the blasts and nobody could even identify him. I hope it doesn't happen anymore," said the cricketer who was here for a promotional event. 

Tendulkar returned to Mumbai on Tuesday from London where he undwerwent rehabilitation after a shoulder surgery and played five matches for Lashings cricket club. 

The record-breaking batsman said he would do his part to help the blast victims. 

"I have just come back, and I can't disclose it here. There are responsible personalities (whom he has talked to)," he said. 

"The damage is irreparable, lives were lost. But we can rehabilitate the suffering families."