Amarnath Nagarajan, named after legendary cricketer Lala Amarnath, was a skilled athlete from a young age. He excelled in hockey and athletics but found his true calling in basketball at 16. His passion for the sport led him to captain the Indian basketball team at the 1982 Asian Games, and he was also part of the historic team that competed at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. This marked the only time an Indian basketball team participated in the Summer Games.
Despite finishing fifth in the 1979 Asia Cup, India’s participation in the Olympics was unexpected. Several teams that finished ahead of them boycotted the Games, opening a path for India. While aware of their limitations against the world’s best, Amarnath and his team embraced the experience. They played against legendary players like Oscar Schmidt of Brazil and Sergey Belov of the USSR, gaining valuable exposure to international basketball.
Although India lost all their matches, Amarnath emphasizes that the Olympics provided a valuable learning experience. He compares the magnitude of the Moscow stadium to the iconic Eden Gardens, highlighting the immense scale of the event. Despite their limited international experience, Amarnath acknowledges their lack of competitiveness against seasoned teams.
The 70-year-old now lives as a sanyasi under the name Swami Nateshananda Saraswati, reflecting on his life and career. He highlights the discipline required in both basketball and banking, acknowledging the unique challenges of each. Amarnath’s journey from basketball captain to sanyasi demonstrates the transformative power of passion and self-discovery. His story resonates with the enduring spirit of sportsmanship and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.
