Revelations from a Jem!

  •   Thu, Nov 06 2025
  •   By David Pinto Prabhu

November 6, 2025

Our immensely talented Bhartiya Naaris clinched the World cup and made all of us proud. Whilst we bask in this glorious moment, one cannot stop reminiscing about the semifinal match. It was not just about winning against the reigning champions, but a duel conquered by a cricketing prodigy. The name is Rodrigues, Jemimah Rodrigues. While many were carried away by her batting talent, I was bowled over by the yorker she delivered during the post-match ceremony. It actually moved me to tears.

From time immemorial, whenever a cricketer has been asked to come up on the stage and receive the coveted medal of being the best player for the day, we have often heard them voicing out their exploits in the field and at times in a pompous tone. Well, they deserve the right to do so after all, they made it happen. Nevertheless, here we have a Jem, who did quite the opposite. Yes, I’m rebranding the word Gem -and I sincerely hope the keepers of the Queen’s language endorse my petition.

She came up to the podium with a beatific smile, her tears held back, ready to burst open any moment. She first thanked her Creator, Jesus, and acknowledged that she was just a pawn on the cricket field and guided by the Almighty. How many of us recognise that we are just mortal beings, realise that we have a limited shelf life and understand that we need to offer thanks for every single breath that we take? Jem then went on to thank her parents. Jem knows her commandments well. She then thanked the people who believed in her. How often do we thank the people that helped us during our bad times? Remained with us when we had no shoulder to cry upon? Jem displayed, Gratitude. Gratitude is not only the greatest of the virtues; but the parent of all others.

Our Jem, then touched upon a very sensitive issue, which we seldom converse. She admitted that she was going through a really stressful time leading to anxiety. Who does not go through this in today’s world? This is the century of stress! One in seven Indians is affected by this. Most of us remain in silence with a feeling of shame, if discussed. The finest route to come out of stress and anxiety is to first acknowledge it and then discuss it with your loved ones and if required seek professional help. The fact that we do not seek professional help on this is because of the stigma associated with mental health. And this has probably resulted in limiting the number Psychiatrists in India to just one for every lakh population. Jem, thanks for sharing your experiences. Your acknowledgment makes the stigma weaker. I find myself again tempted to rebrand the word Psychiatrist as Mind Healer. I guess I’m disturbing the Queen a little too much of late.

Despite all the anxiety and stress that had bogged her down, Jem then went on to score a century. Any mortal playing cricket in any format or on any level, whether in the gullies of India or at the Lord’s cricket ground, would have burst out into a celebration streak, which definitely is an entitlement for scoring a hundred. Meanwhile, at the DY Patil stadium, the centurion just moved on with the game as though she had just scored her first run of the match. She knew her job was half done and she had a responsibility to ensure that India sails through the semifinal. Responsibility,is what Jem carried on after scoring a hundred. “You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” said Abraham Lincoln. I hope Abe was witnessing this from the heavens above to see that his words have come true. Later on, during the post-match ritual she acknowledged the cheering crowd who was with her for every run that she scored. Jem exhibited humility. How many of us can stay grounded when we achieve success? Thanks once again Jem, for showing us the way to be reminded that we are just mortals. Humility, being the foundation of all virtues!

Jem not only won the match that day but she conquered our hearts. Her words of wisdom, with her tears and her radiant smile, destroyed many a stigma, affliction and malady. What India needs today is for more Jems to blossom. For this to happen, parents, please encourage your daughters. We at times create barriers fearing a backlash. We need to break this stigma and emerge out of our self-prophesied fears. After all, Dar ke aga jeeth hei!  

 

 

 

 
By David Pinto Prabhu
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