‘My will to fight comes from struggling with a near-death experience’

Sharad Kumar’s will power to perform despite his injuries in the Paralympics, won India a bronze medal in the High Jump (T42) event. The champion credits his mental strength to a near death experience. “I was in Ukraine, away from my parents, training and pursuing my masters. I had a surgery there for my stomach and was alone, without friends or family. I didn’t let anyone know that I was almost on my death bed in the hospital. I used to cry to my family over the phone saying I just want to die. There was a day when I wanted to jump off the hospital building. But I fought back hard. I used to tell the nurse I’m in pain and she’d give me a sleeping injection and I used to pass out. I fought and got out of that phase courageously. That was when I knew that if I can survive this alone, I can endure anything…including these injuries before my performance in this Paralympics,” shares the paraathlete. Kumar’s alma matar include Jawaharlal Nehru University and Delhi University. However, even after winning so many medals for the nation, Kumar hasn’t been offered a job by the government. “Despite having amazing alma mater, I haven’t been recognised for it and I’m waiting for a job. This stings. I have got so many medals for India. I hope the government recognises this and gives me a job,” he says.

Kumar was reading the Bhagwat Gita when he was in pain, before the event. Has he always been so spiritual? “I’m a spiritual person. I have always tried to be God loving instead of God fearing. My mom prays and fasts five times a week. She is the biggest inspiration for me to become spiritual,” he says.

Syed Shamshur Rehman ‘Kalashree’

JK Agarwal