India's unsung hero: Devendra Jhajharia, first paralympian to get Khel Ratna

The life of a professional athlete is not always easy. Most will have to battle through the ups and downs that can come with gruelling season, including injuries. But sometimes life will throw even more serious challenge at them, including physical disabilities. It is their "get up and go" attitude, where they overcome adversities to achieve their dreams that have inspired many. Devendra Jhajharia, first paralympian to get India's highest sporting honours- the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna is one such inspiration.

Devendra, a boy from a village in Churu district of Rajasthan was born to be an athlete. At the age of 9, Jhajharia was climbing a tree when he caught a live cable of 11,000 volt capacity. He received a huge shock, which meant that his left arm had to be separated right away and there were not many people who were sure if he would even survive from the accident. Even he could never have dreamed that he'd be a world-class endurance sports champion.

But then he decided to be an athlete because he was blessed -to still have an arm. He did not let adversities stop him from pursuing his dreams and has won gold at javelin throw F46 event at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

With caring parents and a strong determination, Devendra paved his own path for success. It was when one of his school mates threw a javelin and taunted Devendra if he can do it or not. He rushed to the boy and requested to have a try. He managed to throw the javelin farther than the other boy.

By then he realised his strength and converted everything he had into a javelin and practiced without telling anyone. He had that strong determination to prove that he was not weak and can achieve anything. As he practice more and more, he learned the sport well. He then participated in school and district level competitions winning several awards.

In 1997, his talent was identified by Coach Ripudaman Singh identified after seeing his performance in a school tournament. That was the beginning of Devendra's professional career. He won his first major international medal when he was all of 21 years at the Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled of 2002, organized in South Korea.

Awards

• In 2002 Jhajharia won the gold medal in the 8th FESPIC Games in South Korea.
• Won gold medal at Athletics World Championships at Lyon in 2013.
• In 2004 qualified for his first Summer Paralaympic Games representing India at Athens.
• Padma Shri in 2012; first Paralympian to be so honoured.
• Arjuna Award in 2004.

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