Gujarat : Divyang Athlete Gagdas Chases Paralympic Dream

Ahmedabad | Gujarat — Like Oscar Pistorius, a South African sprinter, a young athlete hailing from the Vav-Tharad district in Gujarat, Gagdas Parmar, is nurturing a dream of representing India in Paralympics. Gagdas, is the first amputee from Gujarat who is preparing for the 100 and 200 meter races with his prosthetic legs with advanced technology. 

Every morning, when Gagdas is preparing for the 100 and 200 meter races, he has only one resolution in his mind – to make the state proud by representing India in the Olympics.

The tragic story of Divyang Gagadas Parmar has been transformed into an inspiring story with his own confidence, the warmth of his family and the support of the Gujarat government.

Gagadas’s paralympic dream is not just a dream, because he has won gold and bronze medals at the national level and is currently sweating continuously in the preparations for the International Paralympics. 

Gagadas, a son of agricultural laborer Thanabhai Parmar was electrocuted in the year 2017 when lightning struck the entire family. His both legs were so badly burned due to the lightning that they had to be amputated below the knee. The family treated the son for two consecutive years and spent an incredible Rs.8-Rs. 10 lakh to give him a new lease of life. Today, this son of the soil has been able to make Gujarat proud.

Though Gagdas lost both his legs, his confidence was unwavering, as he headed to Palanpur for further studies. While studying in the hostel for the disabled of Vidyamandir School in Palanpur, Gagdas met coach Nileshbhai Rabari, with whose encouragement and efforts Gagdas turned to sports and was also able to play in the National Games. Gagdas also won national level medals in discus throw and para powerlifting with just six months of preparation. These achievements are not small.

Gagdas received prosthetic legs from social organizations, but to move forward in the field of sports, advanced prosthetic legs were necessary. This was expected to cost Rs 14 to 15 lakhs.For a family that was financially weak and had already been hospitalized, this expense was not possible.

Gagdas decided to seek help from Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel without losing confidence. After coming to Gandhinagar, Gagdas presented himself to the Chief Minister. The Gujarat CM  made successful efforts to ensure that Gagdas could get immediate help through CSR funds in addition to government assistance.

Today, Gagdas has received prosthetic legs with advanced technology and is also getting high-level coaching.

Now Gagdas wants nothing less than an Olympic medal. Gagdas will run, Gujarat will win!