Haleem is a stew composed of meat, lentils and pounded wheat made into a thick paste. It is originally an Arabic dish and was introduced to the Hyderabad State by the Chaush people during the rule of the Nizams (the former rulers of Hyderabad State). Local traditional spices helped in evolving a unique Hyderabadi haleem that became popular among the native Hyderabadis by the 19th century.
Saleem Chachas a 56 year old after retiring from a Private Handloom company and from his earnings started Haleem Stall which was a renowned joint located in Hyderpura adjacent to Hyderabad Old City.
Saleems Haleem was the talk of the town, All classes of families visited his stall and tasted his delicacy,.
Saleems day started early at 5 am in the morning, his wife Shabana helped him in getting all the spices placed in the bag, While Saleem left for his stall which was few meters from his house and started frying the spices and had his stuff ready by 7am, with his customers thronging towards his stall from 8 am onwards and his business went up 10 pm. Such was hard work put on by Saleem.
Saleems Business grew , but the only concern was his only son Amir who wiled his time roaming with spoiled brats in his vicinity , a Tenth drop out was depending on his parents even in his teens . Amir even stole money from the earnings of Haleem which was kept in a drawer of a table. Even after Several Coaxing from Saleem, Amir never changed he was interested in playing cricket , he was a strong lad with muscular body and long hair and Pace bowling suited his style , and had big dreams of playing cricket for India.
Amir often used to pick up money from his father’s drawer and boasted proudly on every instance stating “ Baba don’t worry I will play Cricket for India and give back all the money taken” saying he would stroll down to the nearby ground, where all his friends joined to start the game.
Amirs fast bowling was fiery with speed and many of his friends got hurt, being a tennis ball nothing happened. Days passed Saleems abuses and Amirs careless attitude went on.
Amirs Pace bowling became the talk of the town, One of his friend Tahir recommended Amirs Talent in Cricket to his father Nazir working in Admin Department of HCA (Hyderabad Cricket Association) . Finally, after Tahir mounting pressure, Nazir gave a nod to speak to the authorities there.
Nazir took time and met Mr.Yadav Secretary HCA and discussed about Amir a talented bowler residing in his vicinity. Yadav gave a nod to see him at Gymkhana grounds a week later.
Tahir conveyed the news to Amir who hugged him and started running towards his father’s Haleem stall screaming “Arey Baba, I have been called by Hyderabad Cricket Association, they will check my bowling, and slowly I will be another Kapil Dev”. Saying he rushed to his house to convey the news to his mother Shabana. While Saleem Laughed to himself and ignored Amirs anxiety, but Shabana loved Amir being lone son blessed him and believed his words and confidence.
Tahir went to Saleem and in a confidence Tone “ Chacha really Amir is a talented bowler, and he is called by HCA , they would like to check his bowling ” saying he induced belief in him. Somewhere Saleem believed in his son, with tears of happiness he took out money from his earnings went towards Amir and in a unbelievable tone “ Take this money and buy Cricket Uniform with your shabby look they will not entertain you , shave your beard and cut your hair” saying he placed money in his sons hand. Amir was overjoyed he hugged his father and after going to a nearby Saloon he came out clean and went to nearby Rehmans Dressware shop bought Full White Attire and reached home. Saleem and Shabana were happy to see his son look like a professional cricketer; they blessed him with good wishes.
As the day arrived as per Tahirs advice, Amir with cricket attire reached Gymkhana grounds in Secunderabad, and upon enquiring many people about Mr.Yadav their response was negative. He came back home disappointed, Tahir reached his place and convinced him not to worry and he would speak to his father.
Amir with tears in his eyes was seen totally broken, but Saleem and Shabana convinced him and gave him confidence by saying “Allah is great, don’t worry beta” .
Tahir on reaching home in a frustrating tone “Abba why did Yadav uncle not respond to Amir, he is a talented bowler and danger to any opponent” saying he looked towards his helpless father.
Nazir turned towards his son Tahir “Beta I also convinced Yadav but they have decided to take a boy from his family circle and that’s the reason Yadav is not keen on Amir, but don’t worry I will try once again” Tahir informed the same to his friend Amir.
Amir daily in frustration and fuming continued bowling towards the Old mud wall near his vicinity with full fiery and speed, even the weakened wall fell with the force dealt with it. Amir never let go his confidence. Saleem after closing his Haleem Stall used to come home and watched at one corner his sons furiousness practice on the game, tears dropped from his wrinkled cheeks looked at the sky and prayed for his success.
Tahir one day in a happy tone went towards Amir and Shrieked “ Congratulations Yadav is convinced he has told you to positively visit Gymkhana Grounds as his choice of a boy was not in a position to join the nets” saying he hugged Amir.
Amir Joy knew no bounds with tears in his eyes hugged Tahir and ran home and conveyed the news to his parents who were overjoyed.
Amir once again dressed in Cricket Attire reached Gymkhana Grounds saw many boys playing at the nets. Amir searching finally met Yadav and introduced himself. Yadav told his boys to face Amirs Bowling and gave him cricket ball to bowl to them and started to sip tea and watch him.
All the boys laughed to themselves and watched Amir bowl at nets . Amir bowled but that fire in him was missing as he was nervous. His First three balls were wide.
Yadav was furious “ Arey you are wasting my time, I should fire this Nazir for introducing a useless guy ”
Amir felt humiliated turned towards Yadav “Sir still three balls are left, I will give my best” saying he prayed to himself. Amir concentrated on the Stumps, with fiery pace bowled the third ball which knocked the middle stump, the fourth ball broke the middle stump.
After placing the new stump and replacing new batsmen Yadav commanded Amir to bowl his fifth ball even this time he knocked the half stump which flew few meters away.
Yadav was shocked at the talent of Amir again replaced another batsman and the result was the same he could not offer any stroke as the ball came fast on to him.
Yadav was totally impressed with Amir and told him to practice at the nets daily. Yadav met Nazir and in a grave tone “ Arey Nazir the boy is damn good and full of energy and untiring stamina, this boy will be the future” saying he thanked Nazir.
Amir was informed to attend his practice sessions on daily basis, but Amirs only transport was Telengana State Transport Bus which was inconvenient and due to his late arrival at times made coach Ravinder Reddy furious.
One day in an anger tone “Amir if you attend the practice session late, you will be fired and sent home” which displeased Amir .
Seeing his gloomy behavior Saleem asked the reason for his mood, for which Amir conveyed Coach Ravinder Reddys warning.
Saleem one day left to State Bank of India mortgaged his house and took a loan and bought a new bike for his son Amir, as his birthday was due to arrive in couple of days and this was an ideal and wonderful opportunity to gift him.
And on Amirs birthday he sprang a surprise by gifting him the bike, Amir was shocked and happy with tears in his eyes he thanked him and in a feeble tone “ Baba where did you get the money from” and looked towards his father.
Saleem in a casual tone “Don’t worry about it use it and concentrate on the game and when you become a big cricketer give me back” saying he patted his son.
Amir on his bike reached before time and impressed his coaching personnel with his bowling and a few months later was recommended and inducted into Hyderabad U-19 team and there was no looking back for Amir. He shined a lot for his state Cricket team winning laurels for his efforts at all National Tournaments and became a well-known name. Added to his success and to his surprise at an auction for Indian Premier League he was bought by Deccan Chargers, Hyderabad team offering a rich bounty of 2 crores.
The News Spread like fire, complete Old City Hyderabad citizens carried him placed him on a vehicle with garlands placed around his neck was taken on a procession with full pride to see his vicinity boy climb ladder of success.
Amirs Parents Saleem and Shabana with tears of Happiness were proud to see their son success and achievement, a Naughty boy wiling his time once has become a busy celebrity at present.
Amir rushed towards his parents hugged them and took their blessings, Amir first convinced his father to stop work. But Saleem was hesitant in an answering tone “ Beta it was Haleem Stalls luck that made you rise to heights we should not abandon it”
But Amir in a convincing tone “Baba let’s not close the Haleem Stall, lets renovate it much bigger, keep some staff and you supervise it but be away from working”
In due course, Amir even bought a luxurious house and shifted from the small house but in the same vicinity and cleared all the loans taken by his father Saleem.
Amir even shined at Indian Premier League and elevated his team Deccan Chargers, Hyderabad to greater heights.
Such was the story of a dedicated Hardworking boy Amir. You should dream big and bring them into action by toiling hard and leave the rest for some unknown source aiding you to succeed in your efforts. It was Saleems Haleem Stall which was a force that helped Amir achieve his dreams.
ప్రముఖరచయిత విజయార్కె రచనల కోసం ఇక్కడ క్లిక్ చేయండి.
