BY JYOTHSNA HEGDE
Atlanta, GA, April 20, 2025: Cricket legend and humanitarian Sunil Gavaskar lit up the stage at a gala hosted by the One World One Family Foundation (OWOFF) at the Hilton, Alpharetta on April 13. He blended wit, warmth, and wisdom in a moving celebration of service, second chances, and shared humanity. The event highlighted the foundation’s powerful work in India, the U.S., and around the world.
Known for his calm composure on the cricket pitch, Gavaskar brought that same grounded spirit to the stage, opening with humorous stories from his early cricketing days. He recounted how a dropped catch during his debut gave him the chance to score big—an opportunity that became a metaphor for what he now calls “life’s quiet mercies.” “I looked at the corner of my eye and thought, ‘Oh my God, at least I won’t get a zero!’” he quipped, drawing warm laughter from the crowd.
Gavaskar said that he once aspired to be a doctor, but realized he wasn’t cut out for it—“though I now have five honorary doctorates,” he added with a smile, drawing cheers from the audience.
Gavaskar then transitioned to more heartfelt reflections, drawing a powerful parallel between that early “second innings” in cricket and the work he now champions—helping children in India receive life-saving heart surgeries. “Just as I was given a second chance, these children are granted a new lease on life,” he shared. As a Board Member of the One World One Family Foundation, Gavaskar supports all their causes including partner hospitals in India that provide free medical care to children from low-income families. “These hospitals have now performed over 35,000 free pediatric heart surgeries,” he said, “offering hope to children whose families often don’t even have money for the journey home.”
Gavaskar personally funded 34 pediatric heart surgeries, which matched the number of centuries he scored in Test cricket. These surgeries benefited children from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds in India.
“I’ve had my first innings as a cricketer. My second innings—still ongoing—is part administrator, part media, doing TV commentary, writing about the game. But this third innings, which started a few years back, is the most fulfilling, the most rewarding,” Gavaskar remarked.
The cricketer also spoke movingly about his personal connection to the cause. A devoted follower of Sri Sathya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi, Gavaskar said, “Apart from being his devotee, this cause resonated with me simply because seeing a child being given another chance at life is extraordinary.” Even more touching, he said, is witnessing the parents’ joy when doctors share the good news after surgery. “About 99 percent of the patients are from financially challenged families, often from small towns and villages. Sometimes they don’t even have the money for a return ticket back home. They come to the hospital worried, overwhelmed by the unfamiliar surroundings, traffic, noise, and the sheer scale of it all. We know how anxious we feel when someone we love is unwell—just imagine what they’re going through.”
He continued, “So when the doctor tells them their child is going to be healthy, the change on their faces—the relief, the joy—it’s something you have to see to believe. I’ve seen it. And I tell you, it’s given me more joy than scoring a double century for India.” With a success rate of nearly 99.4 percent, these hospitals are offering not just surgeries, but hope. “They are saving just about every child who comes to them,” he said.
Gavaskar, who also champions rural medical education and childhood nutrition—initiatives that align closely with OWOF’s mission—added, “We’re feeding over 10 million children in India. And I always say—try going to work on an empty stomach. You’re not your best self.”
He responded to audience questions with a lighthearted charm and genuine warmth. In response to a question from NRI Pulse, he shared his “Three Ds” formula for success: Discipline, Dedication, and Determination. “Discipline,” he explained, “is more mental than physical.” Dedication involves the long hours of hard work, and determination is what fuels you, especially during times when cricket, he said, wasn’t even a viable career option.
Inspired by the guiding principle of vasudhaiva kutumbakam—“the world is one family”—the One World One Family Foundation is led by Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai and driven by the teachings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, whose call to “Love All, Serve All” resonates deeply with Gavaskar.
Though rooted in India, the foundation’s reach is increasingly global. In the U.S., OWOF partners with food banks, shelters, and health outreach programs in cities like Atlanta and Los Angeles. Their Food and Nutrition Initiative combats food insecurity by distributing hot meals and groceries to vulnerable communities. Volunteers also lead educational workshops, blood drives, and community service projects.
Back in India, programs like “Each One Educate One” and “Doctor 4 Doctor” are transforming rural education and medical access. These initiatives help students from underserved communities pursue careers in medicine—something Gavaskar finds especially fulfilling. “To be able to help a rural person become a doctor gives me great satisfaction,” he said.
Sunil Gavaskar and Madhusudan Sai, Founder of One World One Family Foundation jointly unveiled the 2025 One World One Family Cup in February 2025, a unique cricket event that celebrates unity and compassion through sport. The event, held at the Sai Krishnan Cricket Stadium in Muddenahalli, Karnataka, featured retired international cricket stars from India and Sri Lanka competing not for countries, but for the cause of humanity.
Engraved with the message ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ – The World is One Family, the Cup is more than a trophy—it’s a symbol of collective responsibility and shared hope. In honor of Gavaskar and Madhusudan Sai, a residential cricket academy for boys is being established at the Sathya Sai Grama campus in Karnataka. According to the official release, “Selection will be entirely based on merit, and deserving candidates will be provided free-of-cost training and stay.”
The inaugural edition of the Cup in January 2024 was captained by legends Sachin Tendulkar and other top players from seven nations. This year, the match returned in a new format, featuring Indian and Sri Lankan greats like Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Venkatesh Prasad, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Ajanta Mendis, and Aravinda de Silva.
R.J. Patel, President of the Atlanta chapter of One World One Family Foundation, emphasized the foundation’s inclusive and expansive mission. “One World One Family is about reaching out to those in need—whether through nutrition, education, or healthcare,” said Patel. “Every organization needs a believer. And when someone of Mr. Gavaskar’s stature believes in the cause, it becomes a blessing that inspires us all to serve with even greater purpose.”
Patel highlighted the foundation’s growing impact in the U.S., including projects like a newly inaugurated Mother and Child Center in Mississippi and healthcare initiatives in underserved communities. “We’re doing a lot of local service through feeding programs, but we’re also working to institutionalize healthcare access,” he said. “And our footprint is global—we’re in about 60 countries now, including recent expansions into Turkey and Europe.”
The Madhusudan Sai Global Humanitarian Mission, which has now expanded to 80 countries, has garnered attention from world leaders including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu. “The mission has created records with many firsts,” the official release stated, “providing nutrition, education, and healthcare to children, women, and the elderly through free institutions of excellence.”
Gavaskar’s personal stories and sincere appeals stirred the hearts of attendees. “Giving a second chance to children through heart surgery resonates with me… because I too got a second chance in my career thanks to a dropped catch,” he said. He closed with a heartfelt call: “Let’s save as many children’s lives as possible. Let’s educate as many rural children as we can. We truly are One World, One Family.”
The evening concluded with a standing ovation—not just for a cricketing icon, but for a global ambassador of compassion.
