People of Value

New Delhi: Ramesh Bhai Thakur

100 meters in 17.29 sec. is good enough for any young man. Ramesh Bhai Thakur, has done that and secured his name in the Limca book of records.

A fine arts student belonging to Bharuch, Gujrat Ramesh lost his left leg in a train accident in 1984 while going to college. Life virtually stopped for him. He tried to commit suicide, thinking that it was better to be dead than be a burden on parents. At that time a doctor told him about Jaipur's Bhagawan Mahaveer Handicap committee.

Ramesh came to Jaipur and met the founder of the committee Mr. DK Mehta, got himself a Jaipur foot and started working as an electrician in the committee. But his love for fine arts pulled him towards Jaipur foot. Now he is settled in Jaipur making Jaipur foot for millions. Philippines, West Indies, USA, Vietnam, Afghanistan are some of the countries where his Jaipur foot is being used.

But this is not the end of his story. Inspired by a disabled American, he participated in the 8000 kilometer cycle race from Itanagar to Okha in 1988. In 1990-91 he was the only person with a disability to participate in the marathon organized by Gujrat's Lions club. He followed this by training under Mahavir Saini at SMS stadium in 100 meter race. The rest we know is history. He has his sights on the 2008 Paralympics and the Guinness Book of world records.

Source: Badhaein rok na saki badhtein Kadam, Dainik Bhaskar, Faridabad, 3 October 2005.