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Success Story: Gangadhar of Purulia is going to play at the national level, the struggle is going on in the fan base!
Purulia: There is hunger in the stomach but there is a dream to show something in the eyes. Gangadhar Mahat, son of a day laborer family of Bongabari village of Purulia-2 block, is constantly struggling with that dream. He started his run in the morning after drinking a glass of water. After practicing for two to two and a half hours, he returned home, took a bath, ate fan-rice and some boiled potatoes and went straight to school. Manbhum is a class 10 student of Victoria Institution. This is how his life is going on every day. Gangadhar grabbed the attention by winning the second place in the under-16 category in the state cross country competition organized in West Midnipur a few days ago. After that, he got the opportunity to play for Bengal in the national level cross country.
He is going to play in the 60th National Cross Country Competition at Prabhat Tara Maidan in Ranchi, Jharkhand on January 24. The West Bengal Athletics Association has already announced that Gangadhar will represent Bengal in the two kilometer race. Playing at such a level in the face of adversity is going to have a huge impact on his life. Fuchi Mahato, Gangadhar’s mother, manages the family somehow by working as a daily wage worker. Gangadhar has no sports skills. Gangadhar and his family are worried about how he will go to Ranchi to play for the state amid so much financial stress. Because it has been clearly stated by the State Athletics Association that the concerned athlete has to bear all the expenses of the train ticket, travel, accommodation and food to Ranchi.
In this regard, Gangadhar Mahat said that he grew up with the dream of becoming an athlete since childhood. But his financial situation is standing in the way of that dream. Yet he continues to fight. He wants to play for the country in the future.
Fuchi Mahato, mother of Gangadhar Mahato, said that if there is any support from the government, they will benefit a lot. Or if his son is offered a government job. the
In this regard, Gangadhar Mahato’s coach Anant Mahat said, the most important thing for an athlete is proper diet. Which does not become possible for Gangadhar. Gangadhar runs constantly by eating his mother’s rice. Also he does not have the necessary shoes. If any organization stands by Gangadhar then he will be eligible to play National and International in the future.
Nothing can stand in the way of indomitable will and force of mind. Therefore Gangadhar, the native son of Purulia, is constantly fighting for his life by overcoming poverty. Sharmistha Banerjee
Kolkata, West Bengal
Success Story: Start running practice by drinking only water, boiled potatoes and fan rice are daily food, Gangadhar from Purulia will represent the country in cross country.
