Special Olympics gold medallist turns laborer
What's the story
Government's apathy against sportspersons is something that is not new in our country. The latest victim of this apathy is 17-year-old Rajbir Singh, a resident of Ludhiana in Punjab, who had won two gold medals for India in the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer games in Los Angeles. Despite his heroics, the medallist had to turn into a laborer to make his ends meet.
Battling poverty
Two gold medals in cycling
Rajbir, who suffers from 'below average intellectual and adaptive functioning', won the 1 km and 2 km cycling events 2-years ago in Los Angeles. He achieved the feat with just a month's training using a cycle that was donated to him by a businessman. But, a blind eye from the government had forced him to work as a daily wage laborer with his father.
Hollow promises
Government's false promises
When he won medals for India, the then SAD-BJP government in Punjab promised him a sum of Rs. 15 lakh, which he is yet to receive. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal announced an additional Rs. 1 lakh, a sum also yet to be received. Rs. 10 lakh was promised by the Union Government, but amount hasn't matured and is in the form of bonds.
Saviour
NGO founder comes to Rajbir's rescue
Gurpreet Singh, founder of NGO Manukhta Di Sewa, heard about Rajbir's sad tale and rushed to help him. Gurpreet has now employed Rajbir at his NGO in village Baran Hara. Rajbir looks after the elderly, pushes the wheelchairs of the disabled, gives them food, water, helps them bathe, and performs other odd jobs and is paid a monthly salary of Rs. 5,000.
Dream and hurdle
Government's blind eye leaves athlete dejected
Poverty has forced Rajbir to give up the sport he was exceptional at. The government's poor attitude has left the athlete dejected. Rajbir is now among those several athletes who have been won laurels for the nation but have faded into oblivion because of this apathy. Cycling is now a distant dream for this 2 time Olympic gold medallist.