AHMEDABAD: The phone did not stop ringing for the Patel family in Mehsana since early on Saturday morning. Bhavina Patel, the middle child of Hasmukh Patel, a utensil shop owner in Mehsana, made history by becoming the first para paddler from India to secure a medal at the Summer Paralympics.
“We are proud of her achievements. We were hooked to the results and when we got to know that she had won, it was an exhilarating feeling. We know that she’ll bring Gold with her never-say-die attitude,” said the proud father.
Tejal Lakhia, her mentor at BPA during her formative years, echoed the sentiment. “I had a word with her after the game. She was exhausted, but excited. She had a cold, but said she would give her 100% and would surely win. That’s her strength – she will find a way to change the game,” she said.
All the laurels didn’t come easy for Bhavina. She was diagnosed with polio at about 18 months old and needed crutches to walk. In fact, she started getting independent once she got enrolled at ITI for a diploma in computer applications at BPA in Ahmedabad. She also did several jobs while studying to sustain herself and not burden her family.
“She had taken up TT as a co-curricular activity as she had no prior experience of any game. But winning bronze in her very first tournament in 2008 became a huge confidence booster for her and she never looked back,” said Lakhia, principal of ITI.
Bhavina was showered with compliments from almost all Union ministers, politicians, sportspersons and celebrities after her historic win on Saturday. Married to a para cricketer from Gujarat, Bhavina will usher in an era of para sports, players and coaches believe.
