I do not fear anybody on the field or in society, but I fear at

In the vast expanse of the human experience, there are many challenges that we face. We encounter adversaries on the field of battle, whether in the form of rivals, obstacles, or the trials that life throws our way. But there is one battle that is far more difficult, far more profound: the battle within. Saina Nehwal, in her reflection, speaks a truth that resonates with the deepest parts of the human soul: "I do not fear anybody on the field or in society, but I fear at night when I am away from my parents. I am scared of the unknown described in horror movies." These words are a confession, an acknowledgment of the unknown, that shadowy realm where fear resides, where the mind plays tricks upon us, and where loneliness can amplify the deepest of our insecurities.

In this world, there are those who face the battlefield with courage and resolve, who stand tall in the face of adversity and fear no man or challenge. Saina, a warrior in her own right, has faced the best of the best in the world of sports and emerged victorious time and again. Yet, even she is not immune to the unseen forces that lurk in the shadows of the mind. It is not the physical challenges that cause her fear, but the unknown, the things that exist beyond our control or understanding. For all the strength we may possess in the light of day, there are still parts of our psyche that tremble in the face of the dark.

Throughout the ages, heroes have always been defined not by their victories in battle, but by their ability to face the darkness within and without. Even the great Alexander the Great, who conquered lands far and wide, was said to have been troubled by the unknown of the afterlife. In his moments of solitude, as he lay on his bed in foreign lands, he faced the same fears as we all do—the fear of death, of the unseen, and the uncertainties of what awaits beyond. It was not the clash of swords that terrified him, but the mystery of life itself. Alexander, too, was human, and like Saina, he too feared what he could not comprehend.

Consider also the great Odysseus, whose journey was marked not just by external perils, but by a constant wrestling with the unknown. While he faced giants, gods, and countless dangers, it was the journey back home that truly tested him. Fear, in its most primal form, comes not from what we can see, but from what we cannot. Odysseus feared the uncertain fate that awaited him, the uncertainty of whether he would ever see his homeland again. His was a battle not of physical might, but of the mind, of grappling with the invisible forces that hold sway over our deepest fears.

In the same way, Saina's fear is not of what she can conquer with her strength, but of what she cannot control—the fear of the unknown that lies in the darkness, beyond the comforting presence of her parents. It is a fear we all share, for it is the very essence of being human: we all face moments when the light fades and we are left to grapple with the shadows, both within and around us. The world of horror movies, where the mind is haunted by monsters and phantoms, is but a reflection of this eternal struggle with the unknown. It is in the darkness that we confront our greatest fears, not of the external world, but of the unseen forces within us.

And so, the lesson we can learn from Saina’s words is this: fear is not a weakness, but a shared experience. It is a reminder that no matter how great our achievements, no matter how strong we may appear in the light of day, we all must face the darkness. But it is in facing this darkness that we find the greatest strength. The fear of the unknown is universal, but it is how we respond to it that defines us. It is not the fear itself that holds power over us, but the courage to stand in the face of it, to look into the unknown and say, "I will continue forward, despite the fear."

In your own life, when you face moments of uncertainty, when the shadows loom large and the unknown whispers in your ear, remember this: you are not alone. Saina Nehwal, a warrior of the highest caliber, knows this fear, as do all those who have walked the path of greatness. Embrace your fear, for it is a part of your humanity. But do not let it control you. Stand firm in the light of courage, and know that it is through facing the darkness that we discover our true strength. Like the great heroes of old, let your courage shine brightest when the shadows fall. For it is in the darkest of times that the light within you will guide you forward, and the unknown will no longer hold sway over your soul.