Rajendra Prasad Mohapatra
According to famous motivational speaker Napoleon Hill, ‘strength and growth come only through continuous efforts and struggles’.
Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Every step towards the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concerns of dedicated individuals. Those who have everything become lazy, selfish, and insensitive to the real values of life. But then the very striving and hard work that we so constantly try to avoid are the major building blocks in the persons that we are today.
Powerlifter Basant Mahalik is an ardent example of all these maxims. Poverty and struggle have not deterred his spirit. An inhabitant of Talamba village in Rayagada district, his was a normal yet hard life. His father worked in the postal department.
Life was okay till his father got addicted to drinking. Increase in booze expenditure affected Basant’s studies also and then when his father passed away suddenly, the responsibilities of the entire family landed on the frail shoulders of Basant.
He started working as a mason to make both ends meet. But deep within, he nurtured an ambition for sports. He came to know about Jagatjanani gymnasium while working at Koraput in 2012. “I watched all the physical activities there and loved powerlifting the most. Somehow, I managed to save `200 required for admission to the club and started training under my senior Pintu Bisoi,” informed Basant.
And since then there has been no looking back. He quickly picked up the basics of benchpress and some more and caught the eye of eminent coach Ramesh Bidika who inducted him as a trainee. “Ramesh sir was pretty pleased with my development and permitted me to participate in the State Junior Powerlifting Championships at Mancheswar in 2012,” informed Basant with nostalgia choking his voice.
It was Basant’s first major event and he surprised all by finishing second in his event. This was the impetus Basant needed. Sixth months later at the National Junior Powerlifting Championships in Amravati he finished third. He also emerged runners-up in the National Junior Powerlifting Championships at Punjab and Tatanagar in 2013 and 2014 respectively. This year he went a step further to clinch title in the National junior Powerlifting Championships and was selected ‘Strong Boy’ of the meet, again in Tatanagar.
Since 2013 Basant has reigned supreme in the State meets. “So far it (performance) has been satisfying. But I don’t want to sit on my laurels. I want to be a successful powerlifter in the senior level,” informed the 21-year-old guy.
Despite all hardships, Basant is singularly focussed towards his goals. “I want to win a gold medal in the Senior National Powerlifting Championships. Orissa Powerlifting Association secretary Chittaranjan Swain has assured to help me if I manage to do that,” added the reticent guy.
His immediate aim is to win a medal in a national meet at Tamil Nadu, January 23-28 and he is working hard to fulfil his goal. “I can practice only three hours a day (4am to 7am) because I work as a daily labourer and have to earn bread and butter for my family,” informed the reticent lifter.
Every day Basant cycles 10 km to reach the gymnasium. “I am determined to continue powerlifting come what may. Hopefully I will win a gold medal in the Senior National Powerlifting Championships and get a job,” he stated with his eyes taking that dreamy look of a beautiful, comfortable future.
One can’t but admire the steely determination in the short-statured strong guy. All the best Basant.
