People of Value

Chennai: Nirmal Sinha

Nirmal Sinha (36) has a story of success. Self-determination and a keen mind to achieve something has helped him come a long way in life.

Born in West Bengal, Sinha had to cross difficult times when both his les were paralysed due to polio, with 80 precent disability. But this did not weaken his spirit; rather it gave him more self-confidence to excel in life.

"Though I lost my legs, I was very keen on not losing hope as I wanted to do some work and excel in it," he said. Sinha was on his fifth visit to the city for a competition held by Rotary Club.

Taking up yoga as a source of help and strength for nearly 25 years, Sinha has bagged several medals for his performances in yoga.
"Yoga has strengthened me in many ways and, through this, I have developed my talent," he said.

Winning several laurels in yoga and athletics at both state and national-level, Sinha aims to scale greater heights. He has won:

• The All- Bengal Yoga Championship in 1998 and 1999.
• In 2000, he also won the All-Bengal Handicapped Yoga Competition.
• He also emerged as the winner in three categories in the fourth National Games for the Disabled in 2000, held by the National Paralympic Committee of India.
• This seven-time Bengal champion also won the National Yoga championship in 2003.

Apart from yoga and athletics, he has also won several gymnastic competitions. "I can rotate my left leg, both in the clock-wise and anti-clock-wise direction. Moreover, I can even stand upside down and lift a heavy bucket with my teeth."

He wants to set Guinness Record by lifting 100 kilograms of iron by using only his teeth. "I also want to concentrate more on practising shot-put, javelin and the discus."

Source: Overcoming disability with yoga. Indian Express, Chennai. 6 Sept 2005.