Apart from quality education, the surroundings and ambience that a child learns in, plays a huge part in their schooling experience. Keeping that in mind, 1st Innings playschool was launched in the city on Friday by Sailaja Laxman and her husband VVS Laxman, the cricketer. As chairperson and founder of the organisation respectively, the duo inaugurated the premises that is located at Road No.2  Banjara Hills which are in fact, the brain child of Sailaja.

“What you give your children is the most significant part of your life. Good values and education are instrumental to a child’s life and an educated person is able to learn and adapt better,” explained Sailaja about the driving motto behind her idea, before thanking her ‘very very special husband’, much to his amusement.

Admitting that it was challenging to be a cricketer’s wife, given the amount of travelling involved, she said she used the opportunity to visit some of the finest schools in the world. “Thanks to my husband’s profession, I had the  opportunity to visit some of the best schools in the world and I know what international quality of education is like. I wish to bring that similar model of world class infrastructure and teaching to Hyderabad through 1st Innings,” she emphasised.

Quoting Rabindranath Tagore’s famous line ‘Don’t limit a child to your own learning, as he was born in another time’, she said she developed her passion for education while bringing up her own two kids. “When my children were ready for school, I  wanted to provide the best possible education for them and did a lot of research on the best schools available. I then decided to put in my strong passion towards education to use by starting this project,” she explained.

Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman played the double role of a husband and a father and had his hands full with his two children by his side. Humble as ever, Laxman was his usual warm self and was delighted to be part of this project. “This venture is very important to me. A lot of people had asked what I would like to do when I retire and I said that apart from helping with cricket in Hyderabad, I would also like to open a school. So I’m happy to be a part of this project and I am convinced it will be a success,” he said.

Off field

Currently playing the role of a mentor to the Hyderabad Sunrisers (SRH) in the Indian Premier League, Laxman was happy with the team’s UAE outing, despite losing three out of five games. “I thought we played some good cricket and the pitches were really good. Even though we lost three games, two of them were really close and on another day, we could’ve won them. Hoping for a good show back in India now,” he said.

SRH’s lethal spin-twins Amit Mishra and Karn Sharma were instrumental in their good showing last season, but have failed to deliver the same impact this time around as they were taken to the cleaners by the opposition. Laxman is hoping that their form improves in India. “Obviously it hasn’t gone perfectly for them and we are hoping that the pitches in Hyderabad will suit them and they regain their potency which was so crucial for us last season,” he said.

SRH captain has been under the scanner for some of his decision-making, which made fans wonder if Darren Sammy was better qualified for the job. Laxman though, was quick to dismiss such views and backed Dhawan to the hilt. “No, I think Dhawan is doing a good job. There’s no concern there,” he said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express Features – Hyderabad / May 03rd, 2014