Shah Rukh Khan: I am the ambassador of Paralympic sports in India

Shah Rukh Khan, the founder of Meer Foundation and Kolkata Knight Riders, has always been in headlines for his contributions to noble causes. Be it empowering the acid-attack survivors or donations for Kerala flood relief, the actor has never stepped down. Shah Rukh has also been open about his love for sports from time and again. In a recent event that was held to pay a heart-warming send-off to the athletes representing the country at Asian Games 2018 in Jakarta, SRK proudly exclaimed that he's the "ambassador of Paralympic sports in India”.

Also Read | Adultery not a crime: SC verdict revolutionises another chapter of inequality

The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) along with Shah Rukh hosted a send-off ceremony for the athletes on Wednesday, where the actor could not contend himself from being overwhelmed by the pouring inspirations. While delivering a heart-melting speech at the occasion, Shah Rukh expressed his pride to be a part of such an event. The actor revealed that he has been so motivated by the crowd that he would start working out for more than an hour now, compared to his earlier 10-15 minutes. 

Shah Rukh confessed that the key to becoming successful in life is not excellence, but the struggle. He admitted that he is an average talented actor, but he has never stopped struggling even for a minute. The actor also talked about his ways of handling criticism and how it gets reflected on his performance.

Also Read | I am here for my selfish reasons: Shah Rukh Khan at the Indian para athletes send-off ceremony

“I consider myself to be an average talented actor. But I know how to struggle. I work hard, not once but repeatedly. If my movie is to launch on Friday morning, I keep up with the work till Thursday night. Once the movie is launched, I do not sit back for the reviews. When the movie is a hit, I do not stop working to garner appreciation, and if the movie fails to deliver its impact, I still do not wait for the negative comments to take a toll on me,” Shah Rukh says.

The ‘Raees’ actor says that he will be taking away many inspirations from the athletes. “Today I have learned many things that will stay with me and provide me the inspiration to grow. The first is that we should never be scared of impossibilities. Work hard and no impossibilities will come in your way. Deepa Malik taught me to believe in myself and respect the Nation in all its colour.

“We, as humans, are never complete. We remain incomplete, be it physically, mentally, or emotionally. It is not our fault, God has made us such. He has sent us to this beautiful land to complete ourselves, embrace our incompleteness and mend our life in the most exquisite manner.”

Also Read | Rahul Gandhi in Madhya Pradesh: ‘Gabbar Singh Tax' to be changed if Congress comes to power’

Shah Rukh lauded the athletes for their profession. According to him, sports is a profession that makes everyone realise that they need to overcome their weaknesses and aim for the impossible. 

Addressing the para-athletes present at the event, Shah Rukh said, “I want my kids to learn from you the importance of sports, not for winning but for their personal well-being. Sports has the ability to shape a person and erase the word impossible from their dictionary. I am standing here, not to encourage you, but to seize the motivation from you.” 

Deepa Malik, along with PCI president Rao Inderjit Singh and other Paralympic medallists Devendra Jhajharia, Mariappan Thangavelu and Varun Bhati, among others were also present at the event.