“India’s Captain and can’t even speak English.” This acidic remark from a Board official hurt Kapil Dev. “What had India’s captaincy to do with speaking English. I was definitely hurt and definitely determined to make my point soon in English. It took time but I did it,” remembered Kapil Dev, who was once the celebrated brand ambassador of Rapidex English Speaking Course.
A generation shed its inhibitions and learnt to converse in English. The motivation came from Kapil, who was equally popular when endorsing Palmolive shaving cream.
“Palmolive Da Jawaab Nahi,” he smiled his way into the hearts of the youth with his rustic tone. Many years later, I was witness to Kapil addressing an elite gathering of young hopeful, the audience sitting in rapt attention, as India’s greatest all-rounder charmed them with his diction.
His disarming smile was Kapil’s asset when he dealt with people who wanted to make a point.
He would dismiss a sledge on the field with a smile or just a nonchalance wave to indicate his disinterest in getting trapped into a verbal duel.
Why did Rapidex, published by Pustak Mahal, approach him?
“Obviously because of my English. One of their representatives came and took a picture and that was it,” he breaks into his infectious laughter. Kapil speaking English fluently has turned Rapidex into an enviable brand.
Kapil, as he rightly felt, did not take remarks made on his inability to speak proper English to heart. “Why would I bother about people who were concerned about my English and not my cricket? I was picked to play for India because of my cricketing credentials and not my excellence with a language which was not my mother tongue.”
In fact, Kapil accepted the offer to promote Rapidex English Speaking Course essentially because it brought him some extra money other than his earnings from cricket. “Honestly, my interest at that stage was not promoting or learning English. I was young and looking to make money. The offer meant I was going to make some money and also, as I realised later, inspire many like me to try and learn a new language.”
Rapidex, a hugely successful self-learning book, went on to become a national bestseller and has remained so for three decades, wooing youngsters from all corners of the country.
“I was not trying to become a role model for learning English. After some time, it became an effort from my side too. I realised I had to address media from different countries and I had to learn proper English if I wanted to put across my views accurately. It could not have been monosyllabic, yes, yes, no, no. I learnt the importance of two English words, please and thank you, and worked hard to speak without any inhibition,” said the former Indian captain.
Kapil, busy packing his bags to fly to Melbourne as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s delegation, said, “I like the PM not because he invited me. I like it when he speaks at international forums in Hindi. He can speak in English too but good he insists on speaking in Hindi. It is nice to know people who run the country don’t compulsorily speak English.”
The great allrounder has now grown into a fine ambassador for the game. He addressed a gathering at Lord’s recently, making it known to those present there that he was good at cricket and is now good with English too.
Over the years, Rapidex has become a companion of students. I have known a few cricketers sneaking it into their bags and benefiting from the book. “If Kapil could why couldn’t I,” was their resolve.
Over the years, Rapidex proved a handy tool. Many a sportsman have shied away from the media for this very reason but, like Kapil, gained in confidence with time. It is another matter that many current Indian cricketers throw in “obviously” during their conversations.
Why? Because they have heard Rahul Dravid do it. They could do with a Rapidex course. Or best, a class with Kapil Dev.
