The lost cause of Budhia

At times, it is a curse to be born in India. For child prodigy, Budhia Singh, this is definitely true. Born in 2002, in Orissa, Budhia was sold by his mother to a passing peddler. Fortunately, for him, he was taken in by India’s top Judo coach, Biranchi Das who spotted his talent for running and then began to train him. By the age of four, Budhia had run and completed 48 marathons, giving him an instant celebrity status.

Now, this is where being famous became a curse. As Budhia became more famous by the day, the next ‘Olympic’ runner, his coach was accused by several, including his ‘mother’ for torturing and exploiting a young child. Biranchi Das was accused, arrested and the Indian Government put Budhia in a State Government Hostel. However, he was banned from running marathons and despite being at a sports hostel, not encouraged to run or play. Biranchi Das was shot dead and that was the end of Budhia’s last ray of sunlight.

As per the rules of Indian government, athletes cannot start training until the age of 11. Today, Budhia is 12 years old but he has no motivation, has no time to follow his sports regimen, his coach and only supporter is dead. Budhia could have been a fantastic, inspiring athlete and an Olympic runner will now thanks to this country and the crazy media be what he was born -poor and ordinary.