A photograph speaks a 1000 words. In Debasis Sen’s case, they have spoken more than a few thousand words, and still counting, when it comes to the Indian Super League (ISL). One of the most hardworking individuals in the business, Debasis’s picture of Dippendu Biswas and his mother has gone viral not simply in the football world, but also within Indian sport at large. The photograph stands for everything that is good about sport. Humility, simplicity and poise. With experience of more than two decades, this photograph by Debasis was for me the picture of the ISL.
Today, while we celebrate Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG), we also celebrate Dippendu and his mother, not to forget Debasis and his pictures. In answering the backstory behind the photo, this is what he had to say. “I’ve been taking photos since 2010 and, when you do sport for so long, you get players’ personalities, reactions and range of emotions imprinted in your mind and the idea is to always capture the raw emotion as it unfolds,” said Debasis. “That’s what makes a photo special. I’ve always admired the humility in our footballers. Each one is humble, they care for each other and give everything to the sport.”
What stands out in this photo is the reaction of Dippendu’s mother. Parents always deserve special praise. The joy and happiness in their eyes when their kid wins speak so much and so little at the same time – we don’t see all the hard work behind their children’s success, all the sacrifice, risk and sleepless nights. As journalists, we are lucky enough at times to see backstage, what happens behind the scenes and how it is pure joy.
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So when Debasis sent me this picture, I instantly realised this could be a special photograph. I did not want Dippendu’s reaction to the win, but his mother’s! Obviously, it is Dippendu who is the ISL winner, but it is as much his mother and his family. To be honest, I had a smile on my face while looking at her. For me, this is what sport is all about, and why we live and breathe sport. It was her moment, and the moment for every parent all across Bengal to shine and to know: it’s all worth it.
In sport, you need to stay humble to be the best. For the best will also be superseded at some point. There will be someone better than the best one day, and the pecking order will change. That’s what sport is all about. Dippendu will know it well. He is aspiring to be the best, and take over the baton. But that will never take him away from his roots.
While it is all increasingly competitive when the match is on, soon after, it is profoundly different. Competitiveness and aggression give way to respect and celebration, adding to the beauty of sport. That sport is all about stories is because of this. It has always lent itself to storytelling and this picture is proof why. Much more than the wins or the losses, these vignettes enrich the narrative and add to the story.
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