A. Ghulati
Rohtak, April 27
d the joy in athletics. But he entered the fray in the competitive world of athletics at an age when the life of most of the people come to a standstill, their limbs fail to respond and they start counting their remaining days.
Recounting his life story to the NCR Tribune, Surat Singh told that he is illiterate and had never thought of entering into the competitive world of sports. His task in the village was restricted to look after the cattle. In return, he was given adequate diet including plenty of milk by the elders in his family and villagers.
Surat’s talent was spotted at a village level sports meet by the sports officer, Laxman Singh Malik, who inspired him to become a veteran athlete. His advice changed Surat’s vision towards life. He realised that something else was there in the world beyond grassy pastures in the village, wealth of animals and folk traditions. A few medals in the State championships paved way for Surat’s entry into the National competitions, where he excelled in 100m & 200m races in particular. In 1991, he finished second in 100m & third in 200m clocking 19.1 seconds and 35.5 seconds respectively at the NVAC held at Yuba Yatri Krirangan, Salt Lake City, Kolkota. In 1998, he secured the first position in 100m and 200m race taking time of 19.1 sec and 42.9 sec. in the 20th NVAC held at Dadoji Konddeo Stadium, Thane. In the 18th edition of NVAC orgainsed by the Karnataka Veteran Athletic Association in 1996, Surat Singh created a new record in the 80 plus category completing 200m race in 39.54 sec. In the same edition he clinched gold in 100m clocking 18 seconds. However, in 1994 he had to remain content with a silver medal of 200m event of the 16th NVAC held at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, where he also ran the 100m in 75 plus category in just 17.1 sec. but remained third. Running in the company of comparatively young people (in 70 plus age category) at Kanpur in 1997, he finished second as a member of 4x100m relay team, taking time of 1mt.16.90 sec in the 19th NVAC. Surat was 83 at that time.
Surat gives the credit of his success in the running track to his simple style of living. Till date, he gets up at 3 am daily to do some jogging and running. He has never smoked, never consumed tea or liquor during the eight decades of his life. He got full support from his wife Chand Kaur, who died four years ago. “She used to take special care of my diet,” recalls the octogenarian. The age factor has slowed down his reflexes and his illiteracy sometimes put him in awkward position as he take his own time to remember his achievements and the names of his competitors he encountered at different venues. But still he aims at winning more medals.
His impressive tally of medals, laminated in a frame, understandably gives him immense satisfaction but not the expected support from society and administration. His only regular source of income is the old age monthly pension of two hundred rupees. Occasionally, he gets a few cash awards, which are not enough by any means. For his other needs he is dependent on his four sons. But his enthusiasm still keeps him agile. He hopes to run for another five years as a veteran athlete and is also hopeful of completing a century of life.
__________Courtesy:TRIBUNE, Chandigarh
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