First male dwarf of CG qualifies for national para competition
| Date :16-May-2019 |
By Dr Abhinav Mishra
KAWARDHA
Actor in Chhattisgarhi cinema (Chhollywood) n Imparts training of ‘Computer Operation and Programming’ to youngsters.
Meet the zestful and versatile young boy of Kawardha named Dev Singh Ahire, who did not let his short stature come in the way of his standing tall. This boy has been suffering from dwarfism and is mere 4 feet (122 cms) in height, but his achievements have been ‘colossal’. This ‘Lilliputian heighted’ boy, aged 26, has the credit of becoming the first dwarf male of Chhattisgarh to win a medal in state-level athletics tournament. Moreover, this state champion in athletics has also got the unique distinction of becoming the first dwarf male of Chhattisgarh, who will be participating in a national para competition. In other words, Dev Singh has got the honour of becoming the first dwarf male who will be representing Chhattisgarh in a national championship. Recently, this ‘undersized boy’ had won Gold medals in F-40 category at state-level athletic events - shot put and javelin throw, organised under the aegis of ‘Para sports association of Chhattisgarh’ at Swami Vivekananda athletics stadium, Raipur. He defeated all his competitors by putting ‘the shot’ and throwing the ‘javelin’ to a distance of around 4.5 meters and 10.5 meters respectively.
Besides being an athlete of highest grade, this diligent boy has also been an actor par excellence and has acted in Chhattisgarhi movie. Dev Singh has been an adept ‘computer operator and programme assistant’ as well, and has been imparting coaching of computer application to many youngsters of villages, which proves that he has possessed a multi-dimensional personality. Recognizing the meritorious achievements of this dynamic lad, he had been felicitated by the district administration. This extremely determined boy, who hails from a tiny village Kodwa and belongs to Scheduled Caste (SC) community, said, “During my childhood, I was teased mercilessly by other children. I faced scornful looks and words of ridicule. I encountered stares, sly remarks, and most of the people doubted my capabilities”. But, his attitude had always been not to succumb but to keep fighting. This strong-willed boy further said emotionally, “I wanted to prove to the world that dwarf people like us could also do something substantial and could carve a niche of their own in the society.
I have faced insults and denials many times, but without getting cowed down by such behaviours, I strived hard to make my name”. Elucidating the journey of his career, Dev Singh, a student of Bachelor Arts (B.A.) of Durg University, said, “Well, I contemplated to achieve something remarkable, which could change the attitude of people towards me. I came to know through social media channels that dwarves come under the category of divyaang and could participate in various sporting events. I decided to try my luck in athletics and met Wasim Qureshi sir, who has been a medalist in international athletics competitions and has been imparting training under the mentorship of Superintendent of Police Dr Lal Umed Singh at a stadium in Kawardha. I undertook focused training for 20-25 days under the able guidance of Wasim sir and participated in a state-level para sports competition at Raipur. My efforts fructified when I became Gold medalist in two athletics events, i.e., shot-put and javelin throw”.
Speaking about Dev, his coach Wasim said, “Dev have an unreal zeal to learn things about athletics. Though he is a dwarf, but his physical strength is simply wonderful. I am sure that with sound training he will do wonders in athletics at national and even international stage”. After becoming the state champion in athletics, people had started respecting this ‘mentally strong’ chap. Dev said, “Well now, people takes me seriously. It is a good felling!!” His father Tekram, who has been a daily wage labourer, said that his son has made him and his whole village proud. Exhibiting his multi-faceted personality, this enthusiastic boy had also been working in Chhattisgarhi cinema, famously known as ‘Chhollywood’. Of late, he has acted as a villain in a movie named ‘Sundar Mor Chhattisgarh’, which had been produced by Chuwa Ram Sahu. Raju Panday, who has been an experienced actor of Chhollywood and also been a fellow actor of Dev Singh in the movie, said, “Though this was the first movie of Dev, but he acted so stupendously as if he is a veteran in the field of acting. He is a marvelous actor.”
In fact, Dev Singh had been getting numerous offers to act from different directors and producers of Chhollywood. Since Dev Singh had successfully completed a course of ‘Computer Operator & Programming Assistant (COPA)’ from a reputed ITI, he has been occasionally working as a dutiful and efficient computer operator at his village Panchayat. Furthermore, he had also been giving lessons on computer applications to the youth of his village, so that they can acquire technical knowledge of computers and can get self-employed, thereby reducing the chronic problem of unemployment at his region. Dev Singh has been aspiring to represent India in Paralympics. But, presently, he has been practicing indefatigably for 3-4 hours daily for forthcoming national para tournament to be held at Chennai. He said, “I am pretty confident to win a medal in this national championship so that I can bring laurels to my state, and also I can get a Government job from sports quota”. Looking at the story of Dev Singh Ahire, who has been an athlete, an actor and a computer programme assistant, it can be said that he had relied on his inner strengths and was not defeated by his weaknesses. He had endeavoured earnestly with honesty, self-belief and resilience. Every struggle had strengthened his resolve to fight against the odds and proved his intrinsic worth to the outside world. He had definitely been a torchbearer for the dwarf youngsters of Chhattisgarh.