In 1954, at the small athletics ground of Oxford Univer-sity, Roger Bannister, a young medical student making an attempt on the world record for a mile remains an inspiring reference to the force of perseverance. To run one mile in less than four minutes, unthinkable as it was at that time, was considered beyond the capacity of an athlete. But Bannister, who believed he could make it, had seemingly ordinary, yet outstanding qualities.

Among some admirable traits of his character were: he was ever so keen to do something new; he took the time for the distance as a challenge; he was persevering in his efforts to succeed where so many others had given up; his mind as well as his body had to be in perfect harmony and prepared for the race; and, above all, he knew nobody but he was the oly one who could take the decision to try for the record.

When the race was on, though quite excited, he was relaxed and felt that the chance of a lifetime had come. It was so important for him to excel that nothing else existed, except the track in front of him. So deep was his concentration that he covered that distance without slowing down and finally broke the record of one mile in less than four minutes.

Another shining example of the glory of perseverance is Napoleon Bonaparte (1769 - 1821). He was once with his army heading for the Alps which he had to cross to have an encounter with the enemy.

Out of a nearby hut, rushed an old woman to stop Napoleon from daring to climb up such inhospitable mountains. Many valiant persons venturing to cross them had perished, she warned. She even entreated him to go back .

However, Napoleon not only thanked the old lady but offered her a chain as a gift. He went on to say that her words had further urged him on; that he would certainly try if only because all others before him had failed in their attempts. He explained to her that when he embarked on an expedition, there was no retreat, no matter what the nature of the obstacles ahead. Finally, the brave general asked her to wish him and his army good luck. In the face of untold difficulties, Napoleon led on and his army followed. A few days later, they crossed the Alps successfully.

Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865), the 16th President of the United States epitomised the virtue of perseverance. Begin-ning at 31 till the age of 60, he suffered many severe set- backs : failures in business, defeats in elections, untimely death of his beloved, a nervous breakdown, losing a vice-presidential race to name but a few; yet , he was at long last elected US president.

Whatever be the line you choose - art, business, education, politics or research, to succeed and to be at the top, you have a price to pay. Nothing comes as a matter of course. As it has been said, success goes to those who dare and act and not to cowards. And the price is constancy of purpose, determination, drive, unbending will, endurance, resilience of the mind and steady efforts till the goal is reached. Goethe wrote,

? It is not just as we take it,This mystical world of ours,

Life?s field will yield as we make it.

A harvest of thorns or of flowers.?

Life is indeed a colourful proposal but so much depends on the individual to make it so. If you have an idea and can plan it properly and persevere in your endeavour, you will beyond any doubt reach the goal when you least expect it . Remember your own life is your dearest possession; as such, you have to make something of it. It is never too late to make it worth living, a daring adventure to which perseverance is the key.

<B>Kaviraj SOHUR</B>