Lingala Ramesh: epitome of Swabalamban,from penury to international status
Dr.Badal Tah,Odishabarta
Rayagada, November 26: Lingala Ramesh Kumar, an orthopedically handicapped, was born to a poor Dalit family. His father was pulling rickshaw in Rayagada town and mother was working as a private sweeper in the daily market. He has two elder brothers and one younger sister. His parents died in his tender age. He doesn’t remember their deaths. They had even faced hunger many a time and this forced his parents not supporting their education. But with utmost difficulty he could pass class 10th. He continued in ITI but had to drop out in the 2nd year due to financial crunch as his brothers, who were coolies, could not support his education in ITI. He started working in a local hotel to support himself and brothers’ families.
He had a flare for martial arts as his brothers were involved. He was going with them when they went for practice. When he requested the coach master named D Apanna to teach him, he was skeptical whether he could perform because of his disability; but he was confident that he could deliver in spite of his disability. He was looking at the team which was practising on the ground. He started aping them while the coach master gave commands. Finally seeing his interest and ability, Master gave him entry in the team. Since then he has not looked back. Apart from several golds, silvers medals in interstate, national and international events, he started training kids and adolescents, especially differently abled children, in martial arts.
During 2024 he got a chance to participate in International Open Karate Championship at Dubai and won a gold medal as usual. Recently, he qualified in Guiness World Record Attempt Largest Karate Lesson-World Karate Masters Association WKMA(India), Chennai.
As he excelled in martial arts, JK Paper Mills limited recommended him to one of its contractors. Though he is a contract labour near a private contractor with meagre salary, he is optimistic to bring more laurels for Odisha and India.
