Standing guard at Ranchi airport is father of first tribal cricketer with an IPL contract

"With Dhoni serving as his coach, Robin Minz became a millionaire after the Gujarat Titans paid him Rs 3.60 crore; his father, Francis Xavier Minz, is a retired army veteran who works at the airport. Francis Xavier Minz is standing near the exit of the arrival hall of the Birsa Munda International Airport in Ranchi, observing every traveler entering and leaving the structure. He summarizes the nature of the work in a reflective manner, saying, ""I see everyone coming out of the airport, but hardly anyone notices me."" Why ought they to? I'm only one of several security guys here. He had just watched the Indian cricket team fly by him in their private jet a few hours earlier. Nobody knew who he was. Despite his admiration, he observed them as they pulled their kit bags along. But pride and gladness filled his heart. He hopes that one day his son Robin will be one of them. The 19-year-old batter, who became the first tribal player to secure an IPL contract, is already regarded as one of the league's million-dollar players after Gujarat Titans paid Rs 3.60 crore to win his signing in the previous few months' auction. Francis is aware of the difficult and protracted route to join the Indian team, though. He's only got begun. His name has almost become a household name. He states, ""Raasta abhi bhi lamba hain (the Indian team's route is still far off)."" Just suddenly, a few children come through the door. He halts and requests that they present their IDs, which he carefully looks over. Ensuring that no one who has left the airport re-enters without identification is my responsibility. You never know who might be holding a gun.

"I would lose my job with just one mistake,"" he says. He says, ""I cannot be lax because my son is an IPL cricketer,"" as an afterthought. The family has greater financial security, of course, but you never know what the future holds. Many of my coworkers question me about why I still have to work. But, I assure them that I will continue working for as long as I feel employed and in good health,"" he declares. For as long as he can remember, Francis has been employed and making money. He worked odd jobs in his early teens to support the family in Telgaon, the village where he was born, in the Gumla district, before he enlisted in the Army around the turn of the century, right before the southern portion of Bihar was divided into Jharkhand. He claims, ""If I haven't earned something for myself, I don't get sleep."" He has been in the army for almost 20 years, serving in the 9 Bihar Regiment in state areas affected by the Naxalite movement. This has given him a strong sense of pride. He continues, ""Whatever has changed, it's only from the outside."" "