What's the great fuss about?

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May 08

What's the great fuss about?

I was seeing a half an hour program about Bhubaneswar's Budhia- the little marathon runner.

A week back when the running Budhia was flashed all over the TV channels ,I also had mixed feelings about this.

On one score I was amazed that a little child could accomplish such a marvelous feat. And sad thinking probably he has been forced into this marathon by money and attention seeking foster parent/coach.

After seeing the program abouit the life of Budhia this afternoon I 've changed my mind.

I do also feel that a child of his age should not be forced into aggressive sports at this tender age .

In Buddia's case .....the child is the youngest of many children in a very poor family.

His mother had sold him to a person , out of helpessness and poverty.This coach , runs a residential sports club and trains many poor children in fitness and sports in a professional manner.

This caoch, brings him home and takes him in his fold training him- like he does with all the children.

He realized soon that the child was a prodigy and had the stamina of running long streches.

Then on he was trained to become a runner.He was obviously taken good care of -with nutritious food and massages every day.

The question Budia's mother asks of the govt. officials is what made me take a different view at this ...

"Where were these officials when I had to sell him due to poverty?",....." Where are they now when my other children and many others in this slum are so poor that they do not even have proper clothes to cover themselves?"........" Why haven't they helped us?....

If Budia had not been adopted by this coach who is running a very positive and healthy sports club for all these poor kids....It has opened up job oppurtunities for many, ( police, BSF etc)......,then he might have become a child labourer or a street child....Is that what you want.....A poser to all from the coach.

I think we should commend the coach's efforts in helping all these children......negative publicity will be bad for his club and the children who depend on him.

What govt can do is put in proper monitoring systems to see that proper care his taken to see that the childrens' health is not affected.

P.S:

In my personal experience in working with the slum children (with families) and street children if the children are not oriennted towards positive and educative activities they get mixed up in all kinds of crimes big or small.......society is not kind to them . These kind of vocational training helps them to put all their energy into something good...and it also disciplines them

5:42 PM | Blog it | OPINION

Comments (7)

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	Vijay wrote: Nothing wrong with training the underprivileged so they can get a source of income - it definitely keeps them away from criminal activities. But kids should be allowed to be kids and grow at their own pace. One dimensional development, even as a top class athlete, hampers their development as well balanced individuals. When certain laws and norms are followed in the development of most children why should the media highlight some who have skipped the path followed by the majority? It may cause resentment among normal children who would have loved to take up that path in life but who are being moulded by their parents and schools into a normal individual. I guess my support would be there for promoting such prodigies if every child were given a turn at being a prodigy and not just a few isolated individuals. In Budhia's case, his mother is totally justified in taking the government to task for interfering at this late hour. Till there is a level playing field, everyone is justified in taking whatever means is available to them so they can move up in life! 6 June
	Rama Ananthwrote: Hi Vasuda, How r u? Are u out of town ?How is ur house coming up? Have a great time wherever u r.Bye. 2 June
	Born giftedwrote: hi there Vasuda the only reason that the govt is poking its nose in any of this is to share some of the limelight. Thank God the Buddhias mother had the good sense to see the Govts move. yeah agreed talent like this should be nurtured in the right way and we all know how good the Govt is at screwing all of this. Ruma is right corporates should take it up and the price should be rehabilitation of Buddhias entire village. that is most necessary. do gooder are never appriciated. People are alwasy trying to find ulterior motives Vasuda. but that is not surprising. we judge others by the standards we have ourselves. so if we are in the habit of using people for our own personal gains that is the first impressin we have of any one who is helping anothter. I was just taking a blog walk meeting up with all the peoples who have ever visited my spacel thats how i got here. thanks for coming to my space whenver you did and i look forward to your coming again. i hope to stay more in touch . 31 May
	Ruma Senwrote: Hey Vasuda! Long time no see!! What's up? 20 May
	付正 wrote: as i have searched in Baidu.com , I found that now ,in many sport game news,you will see that "youngest player",maybe 9 years old, maybe 8 ,even 5 years old boy has joined marathon !!! I just think that child should be educated..... But the reality was not so nice . 18 May
	baljeetwrote: HELO YOUR ASPECT OF THINKINGTO THIS SITUATION IS APPRECIABLE THE COACH WHO IDENTIFIED HIS STRENGTH ,TOOK PAINS AND INVESTED HIS TIME AND MONEY TO DEVELOP HIS SPRT SHOULD BE TAKEN INA POSITIVE MANNER , AND SHOULD BE APPRECIATED AND REWARDED. AS HE HAS CHANGED THE LIFE OF A CHILD TO A RESPECTABLE ONE. THIS CAN BE A START FOR A GOOD 12 May
	Ruma Senwrote: Budhia's case is just an example of how the under-priveleged live life on a double-edged sword. If they struggle to gain prominence, they are critisised for their way of working, and if they remain dumb and silent, they are losers anyway. Since Budhia's case has woken up many in the higher echelons of society,it is also their duty to see he has proper training, nutrition and basic education.Only a recognised, professional institution can provide him this. What he needs most is sponsorship and guidance. This is the hottest topic nowadays. Good you featured it before I did!! Great to know you are back! Do visit, and take care! 9 May

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