“Sport is a Passion for Players, not a Business.”―Professor M.S. Rao, Ph.D.

“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair.” —Nelson Mandela

Political interference in sports is resulting in poor performance in India. At times the selection of sportspersons is based on favoritism and nepotism. Additionally, there is corruption in sports and bribes in the selection process. Such things prevent passionate players from entering into sports. There are instances where the key members of the committee reject the dedicated and competent sportspersons due to ego, gender, and other reasons. The silver lining over the dark cloud in Indian sports is the inspiring contribution by sportswomen including Mary Kom and P.V. Sindhu. They rose when odds were stacked against them with their consistent performance and became a role model for others. Here are some measures to be taken to encourage talented sportspersons. Hire the selection committee based on their experience with an ethical background. Encourage the sportspersons who are passionate, dedicated, hardworking and raise their bar constantly. Ensure transparency in the selection of players. Check political interference in the selection procedure. Offer financial and non-financial incentives to the winners.

Career Opportunities in Sports

Sports build both hard and soft skills. Hard skills help the players become competent individually while soft skills help them become competent collectively to win the game. There are innumerable opportunities for sportspersons. Here are some of them. They can have a better lifestyle. They can network with eminent personalities across the industries and the world. They can become celebrities. They can become brand ambassadors and earn money by endorsing brands. They can become coaches in the long run and set up their training academies to encourage budding players. Above all, they can make a difference in society by founding nonprofits and adding value to the communities.

Sports and Women Empowerment

Sports is no more a man’s domain. With the success of many Indian sportswomen sports have become open to all. Sports empower women to dream and achieve big in their life. It improves their economic status and enhances career opportunities. It serves as a platform to brand themselves. Above all, it helps in achieving gender equality. Hence, encourage sports for women globally.

Remember that sport is a passion for players, not a business. Let hundred incompetent sportspersons enter into the sport but no competent sportsperson be denied the opportunity to enter, excel and bring laurels to the nation. Jai Hind.

How to Prepare for the USA Visa Interview for Parents (B1/B2)?―Share if You Care!

“I have a dream of getting a visa, which is a dream that many people have so they can leave their countries to come someplace else, specifically they want to come to the United States.” —Juan Luis Guerra

Here is the procedure to apply and the tips to face the visa interview for parents to the USA. First, identify the authentic agent to assist you with the entire process. You can also do it by yourself if you are acquainted with the process and confident about the procedure. But it is advisable to apply the visa through an authentic agent as he or she is a professional and can provide you the right procedure to apply and the strategy to adopt to come out with flying colors from the interview.

Application Procedure

Apply for the interview slot within the available dates and as per your convenience. Pay the nonrefundable fee of $160 which is valid for a year. You lose the fee if the visa is rejected. However, you can apply again for the visa interview by paying the fee. It is essential to keep adequate funds in your bank account to sponsor the visit. Choose the Consulate office near your location. Ensure that your entire documentation is authentic and complied with as per their guidelines. There are no recommendations for the interview. The entire process is ethical, strict, fair and transparent.

Visa Interview Checklist and Preparation

Here is a list of documents to carry with you for the visa interview: Appointment letter, DS 160, original passport, your identity card either Aadhar card or voter card. Invitation letter from your child, your child’s letter to the Consulate, employment verification letter, H-1B visa if approved, (It is not required if you are going to attend your child’s convocation ceremony) xerox copy of the passport, and bank statement. You must carry your bank statement and income tax returns for the last three years. Show the relevant documents when asked.

Your interview is based on your child’s track record in the USA and the documents you have uploaded. Therefore, upload the authentic information and read it before going for the interview. You must go to the Consulate one day before the day of the interview for giving your fingerprints. Therefore, dress neatly and elegantly for both biometric and interview.

During the visa interview, you must respond to the basic questions such as the location of your child, where he or she is working and living, the contact and salary details. You must convince that you will stay for a month and return to your home country. Inform if you have any properties. It indicates that you return to your home country to take care of your assets. Prepare a list of probable interview questions with answers. Practice thoroughly with your friends or relatives.

Visa Interview Tips

Be available one hour before the interview. Your initial impression is critical to your success in the interview. Say ‘Hi’ to the consular officer/visa officer. Demonstrate a positive attitude. Be confident. Emphasize ethics and etiquette. Be truthful and respectful to the officer. Don’t lie with the officer. Listen carefully. If you don’t understand the question, request to repeat or paraphrase the question. Keep your answers to the visa officer short and precise. Don’t avoid the answers. Avoid sharing unnecessary information voluntarily. Avoid arguing with the officer. Don’t beat around the bush. Your answers must align with the uploaded information. Share your enthusiasm to return to your home country after the visit. The interview may last from one minute to ten minutes. If you are successful in the interview, you will be asked to hand over your passport to be stamped. You will be informed about the date to collect your passport personally. You can also give an authorization letter to collect it. There is a format for it and you have to provide the details. If they want to seek any further clarifications, they will send you an email. You must respond to them satisfactorily and visit the Consulate again to get your visa.

To summarize, a visa interview for parents is easy if you know why you are going, where you are going, where you will be staying and when you will be returning. So prepare thoroughly with your answers for these four basic questions to come out with flying colors. Good luck with your visa interview!

“Be a Phoenix: Every Rise has a Fall, and Every Fall has a Rise.”—Professor M.S. Rao, Ph.D.

“I’ve died a thousand deaths, each time reinventing myself brighter, stronger, and purer than before. From the midst of destruction, I became the creator of myself. From the midst of darkness, I became my own source of light.” —Cristen Rodgers

In this post, I will discuss failures and a list of leaders who failed and bounced back from their failures and rose like a Phoenix. Iconic leaders including Abraham Lincoln, Beethoven, Michael Jordan, Charles Darwin, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Walt Disney, Colonel Sanders, Steven Spielberg, Richard Branson, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk bounced back from their failures. They rose like a phoenix inspiring others to dream and achieve big in life. People often look at the success of iconic leaders. They hardly understand the struggles the leaders underwent. The fact is that iconic leaders underwent greater challenges before making it big finally.

Life is the Best Teacher

Life teaches you many lessons, especially from failures. You must learn lessons from your failures and move on with valuable takeaways. Life is not a cakewalk and is filled with peaks and valleys. Don’t get excited when you reach peaks and dejected when you hit valleys. Take successes and failures equally.

This too Shall Pass

Abraham Lincoln used the phrase, “this too shall pass” before he became the President of the United States. It means troubles are temporary and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. There is a sunrise after the sunset. There is a silver lining over the dark cloud. This phrase encourages you to be optimistic in your life especially when the odds are stacked against you.

You cannot avoid mistakes because they are an integral part of your life. When you want to achieve big in your life you are likely to make major mistakes. You can come out of them when you learn lessons and explore alternative ideas to experiment to accomplish your goals and objectives. Hence, don’t worry excessively about the mistakes. Follow your passion. Craft your vision. Work hard, smart and wise. Enjoy the journey to reach your destination successfully.

Failures are lessons in disguise. Treat them as experiments. Convert your weaknesses into strengths. Convert your threats into opportunities. Turn your scars into stars. Lead your life with purpose and meaning. Ensure that there are no regrets in your life. To conclude, every rise has a fall, and every fall has a rise. Life is great.

“Every rise has a fall, and every fall has a rise.” —Professor M.S. Rao