August 29, 2003
Days of Genius
Dhyan Chand was born in Allahabad in 1905. Several generations of his family had served in the British Indian army and the young lad followed in his father's footsteps.
Hockey was then only played in the army. There were no tournaments for civilians. The British officers thought of it as a good way to keep fit. Dhyan Chand learnt the sport while growing up in Jhansi.
In his teens he watched a game between two army teams. One of the teams was down by two goals. Dhyan asked his father Someshwar Dutt for a hockey stick, but his father refused. His pleas were heard by a British officer who offered him a chance to play. He scored four goals that day. Very impressed, the officer inducted Dhyan into the Baccha Platoon.
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