BackIce skater from Delhi’s Sadar Bazar gets unexpected help
Mukul Mudgal's latest grant is a new lease of life for ice skater Rajkumar Tiwari
PremiumEvery once in a while, when you are down and out, help comes from the most unexpected places. Rajkumar Tiwari’s is one such case.
On Tuesday, Justice (Retd) Mukul Mudgal directed his payment for supervising IPL 2016 matches at the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) ( ₹ 2 lakh) to be passed on to the ice skater.
“His story moved me. I hope many more people come forward with help," said Mudgal. “I am happy to know that this money will help him get a proper kit."
Mudgal came to know about Tiwari from a story in Mint Lounge published on 18 June. Read the story here
“I am a former president of the old students’ association of Modern School, Barakhamba. I am planning to get in touch with some members there and ask for their help," Mudgal said.
Tiwari who is currently eyeing a spot in 2018 Winter Olympics, is ecstatic.
“I could not believe this. I need to raise funds to go to the US and train there. I have just got the visa," said Tiwari who suffers from a moderate form of intellectual disability and hyperactivity disorder. “This amount will keep me going."
Tiwari made headlines when he won gold at the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, in the singles competition. It was India’s first international gold in a sport few know about in the country. He also won a silver with Kirti Kalra in pairs.
But lack of financial support pushed him back to selling trinkets on the pavements and the golden boy was lost in the chaotic bylanes of Delhi’s Sadar Bazaar. He did not lose hope, however, and made sure he trains as regularly as he can afford to.
The latest grant is a new lease of life for Tiwari and his dream to participate in the Winter Olympics under the Indian flag.
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