Keep Running... Gump

Its something to be proud of, not just for Budhia Singh, but for every Indian. Its not only just a matter of pride but also something a low morale person can look for.

See this photo and you'll feel your depression become weightless. (Photo from WashingtonPost.com).

Budhia Singh, 4, runs along with soldiers in Bhubaneswar, in the eastern Indian state of Orissa, Tuesday, May 2, 2006. Cheered by thousands, Singh ran 65 kilometers (40 miles) Tuesday to enter the country's foremost record book. Singh, a slum resident from Orissa whose talent was discovered by a local sports coach, was escorted by doctors and 300 paramilitary cadets of the Central Reserve Police Force which plans to sponsor his upbringing.

--WashingtonPost.com

Well, adding to being in slum, Budhia was about to be sold by his mother 2 years back for she wasn't able to maintain her family. Now, what to say? At one end, this shows the below poverty line conditions of India and how families are suffering. At the other end, here is Budhia who when 2 years old wouldn't have even had the knowledge that he was being sold.

All credit should go to Biranchi Das, "the coach". I'm not sure how this worked out - buying Budhia 2 years back for Rs.800, joining Budhia for Judo class under Mr.Das and Mr.Das realizing his skill based on a 5 hours running punishment - but sure Mr. Das (& his new father to some extent) gets all the credit. Without his backing, his realization, his training, his contacts, his efforts on making this news/record public, this great skill from slum India wouldn't have come to light.

Hats off to you, Mr. Das & Budhia - Indian Forrest Gump:)

I hope this skill of Budhia will be encouraged by the Indian government - instead of using this for cheap politics & corruption - sponsor his skill building & training and help India come up with a running marathon world champion.

By the way, what happened to Kuttraleeshwaran? Hope, he is building on his skills of swimming & his way to becoming a champion!