When i saw him playing in 2005 carrom tournament , i didinot notice any thing spectacular about him , he was playing sitting on the chair , having a tough game . i moved on worrying about my next opponent ,a previous champion. I survived that game and ultimately reached the finals. The same guy was sitting again , in front of me as my opponent . He had not lost a single game in the entire tournament and what a game he had !. I felt privilaged for having played  with him after seeing his game . He could have been easily a national champion and i wondered why he is not !. I got to know the reason after the game finished . As i congratulated him , he  smiled but did not get up ; actually he could not . He had come on wheel chair from a far off town due to the special invitation to him that year . He was suffering from congenital portal hypertension with advanced ''cirrhosis' with oesophageal varices[in  simple terms - end stage liver disease,] with ' polio 'with 'tuberculosis' with 'uncontrolled diabetes'.He was a genious in his studies but could not study beyond M.B.B.S; and so took up a job as medical officer in a town. It is said that he never lost to anyone ever , and during his college days the entire college would make efforts so that he loses atleast  one game but he would not . What a player! Since then whenever we played tournament we always invited him but he could not come due to his worsening condition . Two days  back when we all sat together  for a practice match , i asked about his participation in the tournament and i got a shock to know that he expired a few days back. I had always wanted to play with him since losing that  match to him as i ,probably wanted to test myself against him to know how far i had improved ,but alas i can never now play against such a great player .His name was Akshay and i bow my head to the great champion ,not only in this sport , but in life also as he fought till the very last [he was admitted in i.c.u for five days , went on to give exam of G.P.S.C  so that if he passes , his family can get the benfits  ]. Sadly he could not pass and Now his family survived by a daughter , small son and wife and mother , is in deep financial crisis. I have urged the association to do something for the family besides  deciding to contribute at personal level to help the family . I hope i will be able to do something in the coming days . AMEN !