Amsterdam, / Delhi
Born to Run
Biranchi Das ran a
judo school for orphans in Odisha, India.
One four-year-old, Budhia Singh, joined his school and he saw in the boy a natural runner, and so began
coaching him, hoping that one day he would become India’s champion in future
world competitions. One marathon began
and the boy, Budhia performed an astounding feat (with his feet). The marathon was a 65 km stretch, including the famous Jagannath Puri pilgrimage
site.
Young Budhia ran the whole distance without stopping. Only at the end (and, of course, the bulk of
Odishans cheered him on every bit of the way) did he require some medical
attention. He was fatigued and
dehydrated.
Budhia was a real
morale booster for his people. Not
everyone, however, was behind the training.
The Children’s Welfare agency was opposed. Biranchi became a controversial figure and was even arrested for
training the child in a rather relentless way.
This true story also
tells us that on April 13, 2008, Biranchi was murdered. I was impressed by the story which captured
my attention from the choice of films / documentaries you can watch. Budhia is still alive, and just fifteen years
old this year. I’d love to meet him some
day although I’m just a walker.
I saw the film on Jet
Airways, on my way to India just now.
It’s called “Budhia Singh: Born to Run.” It was directed by Soumendra
Padhi. (Here’s a
link to the film on YouTube. https://youtu.be/3uQMLeNRjOU ). I was able to stay awake to watch it because the
dark chocolate keeps me up, and I’m taking it to relieve the gout in my left foot.
May the Source be with
you!
0 km
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