Very often in life, we come across individuals possessing awe-inspiring stories which move us. Gymnast Dipa Karmakar was an unknown commodity till the Rio Olympics began on 5th August. People had pinned their hopes on sports which have a good track record like shooting, wrestling, hockey and badminton. In midst of all of this frenzy, a girl hailing from Tripura was quietly getting ready to etch her name in the annals of Indian sporting history. However, she was not alone in her quest. Supporting Dipa for 16 years with unbridled perseverance and a solitary dream was her coach who wanted to see Dipa on the podium of the grandest spectacle on this planet. Read on to relive the journey of the maverick coach, Bishweshwar Nandi.
Life and Career
Bishweshwar Nandi was a prolific gymnast himself. He was a 5-time national champion and was also a part of the 1982 Asian Games contingent held in Delhi. Most importantly, he carried forward a delightful legacy of Tripura which churns up great gymnasts.
Dalip Singh, the man who is known as the father of gymnastics in Tripura started this trend in the Netaji Subhash Regional Coaching Centre, which will very soon be getting a makeover into a indoor stadium. This legacy was carried forward by other stalwarts like Montu Debnath, Kishore Deb Burman and now Bishweshwar Nandi. Though he never achieve something big as an athlete, he had the burning desire to see his dreams fulfilled through his protégés.
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