Brave Soldier, Who Overcame Adversity, Represents India as Blade-Jumper at Para Asian Games
In 2013, Someswara Rao, a young Army soldier, was grappling with the emotional and physical trauma of losing his left leg below the knee in a landmine explosion in the Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir. Amidst the struggles of undergoing treatment and coming to terms with his life-altering injury, Rao was overwhelmed, and the dark thought of ending his life crossed his mind one fateful day. Carrying a blade, he hopped to the bathroom, but just as he was about to act on his despair, a timely phone call intervened, saving his life.
The phone call that rescued him was from his mother. As he heard her voice, a wave of emotions overcame him, and he broke down in tears before losing consciousness. Rao credits that call from his mother as the reason he is alive and can share his story today. Subsequently, he spent the next ten days in and out of the Intensive Care Unit, receiving crucial support and care during his arduous journey of recovery and healing.
After going through the traumatic experience and vowing never to entertain such dark thoughts again, the memories of the amputation continued to haunt Someswara Rao. However, fate took an unexpected turn when he had a chance encounter with an Army para triathlete, Lt Colonel Gaurav Dutta, at the Artificial Limb Centre in Pune. This meeting proved to be a turning point in Rao’s life, giving him a renewed sense of purpose and inspiration.
Inspired by Lt Colonel Gaurav Dutta, who himself was a remarkable example of resilience and determination, 33-year-old Rao decided to pursue track and field sports. He started as a blade-runner, but later shifted his focus to the long jump. With grit and determination, Rao honed his skills in the sport and worked hard to improve his abilities as a para-athlete.
His dedication and perseverance paid off, and Rao earned the opportunity to represent India in the Para Asian Games in Hangzhou later that year. The journey from despair to becoming a national-level para-athlete showcased Rao’s remarkable strength and resilience in adversity, proving that the human spirit can overcome even the most challenging circumstances.
Lt Colonel Gaurav Dutta’s significant contributions led to establishing the Army’s Paralympics Node (APN) in 2017, which has provided training and support to para-athletes within the Indian Army. As a result of the APN’s efforts, eight trainees, including Someswara Rao, will represent India in the upcoming Para Asian Games scheduled from October 22 to 28.
Joining Rao in the long jump event is Solai Raj and both athletes are part of the Madras Regiment para long jumpers’ team. In addition to the long jumpers, Jasbir Singh and Ajay Kumar will participate in the 400 meters event, showcasing their talent and determination. The shot put event will see the participation of Hokato Sema, Soman Rana, and Virender, who will compete to achieve excellence in their respective events.
Rao’s journey began in 2011 when he joined the 11 Madras Regiment of the Indian Army, eagerly anticipating his posting in the Uri sector. He was selected to serve in the esteemed Ghatak Platoon, which comprises some of the finest soldiers in the country, known for their exceptional skills and bravery.
The day that changed Someswara Rao’s life forever was etched into his memory. He recalled the incident when a landmine explosion occurred in a trench in Uri the previous night. The following morning, Rao and his fellow soldiers inspected the area, using light flares in the pitch-dark surroundings. Little did he know that tragedy would strike that day. As they retraced a familiar path back to the trench, Rao accidentally stepped on a landmine, resulting in the life-altering loss of his left leg below the knee. The incident profoundly impacted him, as he realized that even routine paths can lead to unexpected consequences.
Similarly, the story of Ajay Kumar, a 33-year-old soldier from the Ghatak Platoon in the 12 Dogra Regiment, shares a similar tragic turn of events. During surveillance in the Uri sector in 2017, Ajay also fell victim to a landmine explosion, losing his limb. Following the incident, he was given an administrative posting, which left him feeling out of place and unsatisfied. Yearning for a more meaningful purpose, Ajay reached out to Lt Colonel Gaurav Dutta, expressing his desire to join sports as an avenue for personal fulfillment.
Despite Lt Colonel Gaurav Dutta’s positive impact on the lives of numerous youngsters, he remains unsatisfied and driven to do more for para-sports in India. Recognizing the immense challenges and struggles that these brave men go through, Lt Colonel Dutta, who himself survived landmine injuries in 2001, empathizes deeply with their experiences. He understands the abrupt transition from being a warrior one day to feeling unsure about one’s capabilities the next day, which can be emotionally and mentally challenging.
As a young and brave teenager, Hokato, a soldier from the 9 Assam Regiment, made a life-altering decision to take part in an operation at the Line of Control (LoC) in 2002. Despite being questioned about his choice due to his young age, Hokato was determined to be part of the mission. He had aspirations of eventually joining the special forces, specifically the para commandos, and he shared this dream with a close friend from Nagaland who had similar ambitions.
After the devastating incident that ended Hokato’s dream of becoming a para commando, he spent the next 14 years serving the Army in administrative roles. During this time, he never considered pursuing sports as a career or a means of fulfillment. However, in 2016, as Hokato was on the verge of retiring and returning home to Nagaland, a life-changing call came from Lt Colonel Gaurav Dutta.
Lt. Colonel Dutta encouraged Hokato to explore the world of para-sports, which Hokato was previously unaware of. The call from Lt Colonel Dutta marked a turning point in Hokato’s life, reigniting his passion for sports and opening up a new path of possibilities. Fueled by this newfound inspiration and guidance, Hokato gave para-sports a chance and began his journey as a para-athlete.
His dedication and hard work in the field of shot put paid off, as Hokato went on to achieve notable success. In 2017, he won the bronze medal at the China Grand Prix, showcasing his immense talent and determination. The transformation from a soldier serving in administrative roles to a para-athlete winning medals is a testament to Hokato’s resilience and the significant impact that supportive mentors like Lt Colonel Gaurav Dutta can have in shaping lives and providing opportunities for growth and achievement.
