Treat me as an ordinary person: Sanju Samson to his college mates

Sanju Samson

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 6 (IANS) The shy, soft spoken and unassuming Sanju Samson has told his college mates here to treat him as an ordinary person and not a star cricketer.

Samson became the third cricketer from Kerala to be named in the national squad. On Tuesday, the 19-year-old was included in the 17-member ODI team for the series in England.

Festive mood at College

"The only thing I want to tell all of you is please see me as just one among you and treat me as an ordinary person. I somehow feel a bit uncomfortable with all this," said Samson while addressing Wednesday's assembly at the Mar Ivanios College here, where he is a second year BA student.

Samson was given a gala reception by his teachers, principal and the entire college as fellow students rolled out the red carpet for him after the announcement of his inclusion in the team.

The shy and withdrawn Samson looked uncomfortable, but, soon, he was taken in a procession on the shoulders of his friends with even the girl students dancing to the beating drums.

Soon he was taken to the principal's room, and, standing in the corridor of the first floor with virtually the entire college assembled in the courtyard, he made a passionate plea to treat him as an ordinary person.

If he makes his debut, Samson would be the third player from the state after Tinu Yohanan and the now banned S. Sreesanth to play for the country.

Kerala Chief Minister comes calling

While a sleepy little coastal village near Kovalam has been celebrating ever since Samson was selected to the Indian cricket team, on Wednesday, the celebrations got bigger as Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy came calling.

Soon after dusk came the news that Chandy will be visiting Samson's home and the crowds began to swell.

Chandy arrived with Sports Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan and other sports officials around 8 p.m.

Samson, known for his simplicity, received Chandy and his entourage along with his parents and his neighbours.

After spending some time with the Samson family, Chandy told the media that Sanju's achievement was an achievement for Kerala.

"I take this opportunity to wish him all the very best and may he shine in his career," Chandy said.