Rayagada: Despite being polio-afflicted, he has many awards and gold medals under his belt as a Karateka. His next dream is to draw accolades for Odisha by winning a gold medal at 2020 Para Olympic to be held in Japan. He has talent, dedication and hard work going for him. But it is his poverty that comes between his dream and making it a reality.
Meet L Ramesh, residing in Madhusudan Lane near Daily market in Rayagada town. During his childhood days, he had to contend with the death of his mother and polio that affected his right leg.
To help his father run the family, he used to work at a tea stall. At the same time, a desire to become a Karateka grew in him as days passed by.
There was a ground near the tea stall where an association under Rayagada Railway authorities was training children on the martial art. Knowing it very well that he could not pay the fees of the centre, L Ramesh would often visit the training centre and observe the trainer from behind the bushes. In his leisure, he would practise the techniques, bit by bit.
Locals often chided him for his dream to be a Karateka. But he was so determined that he just ignored the criticism and went on practising Karate.
It was in 2007 when trainer Appana happened to see Ramesh watching him and students and practise the steps.
Seeing his determination, Appana decided to train him free of cost. A few days later, he was surprised to see Ramesh taking on general students as perfectly as they were.
Then he was for the first time chosen as a participant for district level competition in 2010, and for Ramesh, who had been waiting for this moment, it was nothing but like his childhood dream coming true. And lo! He won a gold medal.
Thereafter, there was no looking back for Ramesh. He went on participating in competitions and winning medals. He won a bronze medal in a competition at Simhachalam in 2011, gold medal at Goa in 2012, again another gold at Warangal in 2014, yet again a gold medal in Hyderabad in 2015.
He also won gold medals at championships held at Vellore and Bangalore.
In 2017, he had the opportunity of participating in competitions organised by All India Karate Federation at Bhubaneswar. And here too he won the gold.
He started his international career in 2018. This year he won gold medals at competitions held in Kolkata and Visakhapatnam. And the same year, he participated in Open Karate Championship held in SriLanka and came triumphant winning a gold medal.
Now, he sets his eye teeth on 2020 Para Olympic.
He knows training is quintessential to be a gold winner at Para Olympic. For this, he has neither money, nor time. Having lost his father two years ago, the burden of his family has now come onto his shoulder. To earn livelihood he is presently working at a company for a salary of Rs 5,720.
His trainer has a lot faith in him. “Ramesh has the talent to win medals. But what he needs is proper training,” observed his trainer.
Ramesh feels sad for not getting encouragement from the administration. “The administration provides training to other players in the state. But I am being neglected,” he rued. He also demanded establishment of a Karate training centre at Rayagada.
Locals urged the administration to do something for Ramesh so that he could not play Para Olympic and also win gold medals.
