There were obstacles, there were doubts, there were apprehensions but with great hard work, Mahendra Singh Raghuvanshi let nothing limit his desire to achieve something worthwhile in life. He is advised by the doctor, not to exert himself too much as it might go against his health, but his is the stubbornness with purpose- a purpose to win accolades for his nation. He knows that great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance. He tells us about where his perseverance has brought him today.
“On September 16th, 2007, I was travelling in a bus from Mhow to Indore when at 7:45 PM, the bus with 45 passengers collided with a jeep on NH3. In the accident, there were 9 casualties and people assumed me also as dead and left me. I was beneath the bus for almost 2 hours with multiple injuries throughout my body. After 2 hours people came near me to check whether I was alive or dead. They left me behind thinking that I was dead as I was not in a condition to speak because of the head injury. When I heard their conversation, I thought if I didn’t react at that time, I would lie dead there. With all the courage and energy which was left in me, I gathered them all and moved my hand slightly. Fortunately, some people noticed it and rescued me.
Owing to that dreadful accident, I got 22 stitches due to a head injury and lost 30 % of hearing power from right ear permanently. A rusted iron rod of bus was removed from my stomach. My shoulder suffered permanent dislocation because of the heavy weight I had to bear for 2 hours. As a result, my shoulders do not look the same even today. There was a pelvis fracture which was treated through the rod. I had to undergo amputation in one leg and the other one, I was left with, lost sensation for 1 year.
After 6 months of treatment, on 1st January, 2008, I could stand again with prosthesis. After getting the prosthesis, I went to a surgeon in Bombay hospital, Indore for further treatment. The surgeon was shocked when he saw me standing on prosthesis in just 4 months and told me I could do anything, if I could stand in such a short span.
2 years after the accident, I become habitual of the prosthesis and started using it for riding a bike, walking and watching cricket in the ground. One day, after 2.5 years, I got an opportunity to play cricket again, but this time with the prosthesis. Initially it was very painful but gradually, I learnt to manage it. I started playing cricket regularly with normal people.
In 2014, I heard about disabled cricket and tried to become a part of my state (M.P) team. I got a call in January, 2015 for trials of the state team selection for central zone cricket tournament. I was selected in MP disabled cricket team and played in 4 inter-state tournaments. On the basis of my performance, I was further selected in central zone team for Zonal tournament. Later, I got a call for Indian team selection and was selected in team India for the Bangladesh tour. I also played a 5 nation international disabled cricket tournament which was held in Sept, 2015.
In June, 2016 I went to Ladakh on normal motorcycle and my ride was considered the longest motorcycle ride with prosthesis under Limca Books of Record- 5331.5 kms in 17 days. Currently, I am practising for para badminton for 2018 Para Asian games to bring a gold medal and make my country and the challengers proud.”
With so much to his credit already, Mahendra Singh Raghuwanshi is unstoppable. He is firmly bent on reaching new heights and exploring his capabilities to the maximum potential. SwachhAbility salutes his undeterred strength of will.
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