Tarunika Ghosh is a 21-year-old para-athlete from Kolkata. She grabbed the attention of the media after she broke the world record in the 1500m walk at the Virtus World Athletics Championship in Brisbane. The completion time was 11:41.04, which is 12 seconds faster than the previous record. Prior to that, she had won a bronze medal in the 1500m dash at the same event.
Tarunika suffered from cancer and underwent chemotherapy in 2008. During the treatment, she developed complications that led her to be in a coma for 32 days. The doctors were scared that the surgery might paralyze her or even make her condition worse. Her parents, Sanjay and Subarna Ghosh, decided to go for conservative therapy and hydrotherapy instead.
They prayed for either one of the two results — recovery or peace. On the 28th day, they said if she is destined to live, then let her live with dignity. A few days later, she opened her eyes. Her parents dubbed it a miracle, but it was far from a smooth recovery.
When she came out of the coma, Tarunika had to relearn walking. Her condition, known as ataxia, was coordination and balance-related. At times when she walked, her legs would cross each other. What initially seemed to be a weakness turned out to be her strength in race walking.
The same unsteady stride turned into a unique walking rhythm that helped her build speed without breaking rules. In her words, “I found my pace where everyone saw a problem.”
Tarunika was involved in both running and walking events at the Virtus World Athletics Championship. She participated in the 1500m walk after winning the bronze medal in the dash. Her time was 11:41.04, thus, she not only set a new world record but also improved the existing one by 12 seconds.
Her mother, Subarna, said, “God gave her the power. We are lucky to be her parents.” Her father described it as a prayer answered after a long time of suffering and patience.
Tarunika’s story is more than just her own triumph; it is a valuable lesson for her country. Her record demands India to alter its perspective not only towards the disabled but also towards recovery from health issues and sports in general. She is the living proof that medical odds, social barriers, and financial limitations are not capable of breaking one’s willpower.
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