These athletes' stories will inspire you to do more!
The wealthiest individuals often don't begin with wealth. Numerous iconic Indian sports stars exemplify the notion that one's origins do not determine their destination. Born to farmers, labourers, and small shop owners, these stars faced immense hardships. They did, however, build their own pathways to success through unyielding commitment and familial sacrifice. Regardless of humble beginnings, they attained national accolades and international recognition, showing the transformative power of hard work and perseverance in their inspiring 'rags to riches' journeys.
Originally from Uttarakhand, MS Dhoni was born in Ranchi, where his father worked in a junior management role at a private company. Excelling in sports during school, he was chosen to represent his team in the 1997/98 VinooMankad Trophy Under-16 Championship. Joining Indian Railways, Dhoni served as a train ticket examiner at Kharagpur railway station from 2001 to 2003. Known for his integrity and playfulness, colleagues recall him as a dedicated and honest worker. Dhoni's remarkable journey, culminating in leading India to victory in the 2011 World Cup, inspired a biographical film in 2016, which became a box-office sensation within days.
Born into humble beginnings in Kangathei, Manipur, Mary Kom, originally named MangteChungneijang Mary Kom, grew up assisting her parents in jhum fields, surviving on subsistence agriculture. Even facing societal opposition, she defied norms to pursue boxing, traditionally viewed as a masculine sport. Overcoming numerous obstacles, she became a five-time World Amateur Boxing Champion, the sole woman boxer to medal in all six world championships, and the first Indian woman boxer to qualify for the 2012 Summer Olympics, winning a bronze medal. Her extraordinary journey inspired a biographical film, featuring Priyanka Chopra in the lead role.
Mary Kom in the ring
Milkha Singh endured a harrowing childhood, walking 10 km barefoot to school in pre-partition Punjab, witnessing the tragic murder of his family during the India-Pakistan partition. After escaping to Delhi, he faced jail time for ticketless travel, but was later rescued by his sister's sacrifice. Initially disillusioned, he contemplated a life of crime before enlisting in the Indian Army in 1951. Discovering his athletic talent, Milkha excelled, winning gold at the 1958 Commonwealth and Asian Games. Recognised with the Padma Shri in 1958, his unbelievable journey was immortalised in a film starring Farhan Akhtar.
The story of DeepikaKumari is a quintessential example of a person battling her way out of poverty. The 2010 Commonwealth Games saw DeepikaKumari, the second-ranked archer in the world, win a gold medal in the women's solo recurve event. The gold medalist's happy parents are autorickshaw driver ShivnarayanMahato and Ranchi Medical College nurse GeetaMahato. The parents reside 15 miles from Ranchi in the hamlet of RatuChati. Because the family could not afford high-end equipment, this brave woman began training with bows and arrows made of bamboo. The Arjuna Award, the second-highest athletic honour in India, was given to DeepikaKumari in 2012.
The son of a bus driver for Haryana Roadways, Vijender Singh won a bronze medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In order to pay for Vijender and his brother's education, his father worked extra, driving buses. Vijender and his older brother, Manoj, made the decision to take boxing lessons in order to provide a better life for their impoverished family. Manoj made the decision to give Vijender financial assistance so he could carry on with his boxing training after he was successful in 1998 in getting into the Indian Army using his boxing credentials. Vijender Singh received the Padma Shri in January 2010 in recognition of his exceptional contribution to Indian sports.
These incredible journeys exemplify the resilience of the human spirit. The captivating narratives of these athletes highlight the irreplaceable value of hard work.
