Agartala, Sept 28 (TIWN): Life changes in its own course but human has got a lot to do as well. Perhaps thats what one calls endeavour. Take Balaram Shil for instance - pentagenerian gymnast and pride of Tripura is presently posted as D.I.G - Deputy Inspector General CRPF and Estate Officer of Group Centre, CRPF, Agartala. TIWN brings out some of the extraordinary feats of success of this annually successfully identity.

    It was year, 1976 when late Radharaman Das, gymnast coach of the present Netaji Regional Coaching Centre ground was deputed to the Ramthakur Boys School for imparting basic course on gymnastics. After long two months, Das selected a team of fifteen boys for his gymnast troop.

   Balaram Shil, a boy barely in his thirteen – fourteen, was one of the said team. The thin feeble boy used to study in class VII at the Ramthakur Boys School. After two month long course ended, the coach asked the boys whether anyone desired to pursue further training.

   Training at the RCC ground was offered in that case. The picture of 1976 is not like what is today. RCC used to be much smaller ground with heavily lesser facilities. The gymnasium hall was located in a jute godown owned by Gedu Miah. Eventually eagerness didn’t come up as expected. Out of the team of 15, a single guy came up to the proposal of the coach. The guy was Balaram Shil.

      The decision was a hard one indeed Balaram’s father Chintaharan Shil  was a tailor had to maintain a family of five members. His mother late Kamala Devi had to bear lot of hardship for the family. However, Balaram persisted and decided to pursue further training. Since his house located far away from the RCC ground and his parents were not in a position to bear the expenses, Balaram had to do it all by himself.

     Within few months, Balaram became dear to the instructor. Among them who took the leading role in training Balaram, Arjun award winner Mantu Debnath is one of the most prominent.

     Under the able guidance of Debnath, Balaram emerged as one of the most promising gymnast of the Tripura. He was sent to Patiala, Punjab in the year 1977 for advanced training eyeing his perseverance towards the sport. The training brought new dawn in his life.

   Balaram participated in the All India School Games, Chandighar soon following his advanced training. Luck struck his bag and Balaram never looked back after that. In his very first national meet, he bagged four gold medals, two silver and a bronze one.

    In the year 1978, CRPF central gymnast team visited the state. Balaram saw a new turn in his lifestyle. He was recruited as sub – inspector of CRPF eyeing his performance in the game. He became national champion in 1982 and was selected to Indian gymnast team for the 1982 Asian Games held at Delhi. Six member of the gymnast team four of them were from Tripura namely Biswashwar Nandi, Bijan Saha, Debashish Dam Chowdhury and Balaram Shil himself. Balaram continued with his stupendous feats in the Asian Games. He bagged the fifth positon himself.

  In pommel horse, he secured nine points out ten which is still highest by any Indian gymnast. After Asian games he represented at the six international meets held at Moscow, Romania, Rega , Teheran and in Seoul Games as captain of Indian gymnast team. Balaram Shil remained national champion consecutively for three years. He has won international event which is still a national record in the field of gymnast. The professional career of Balaram Shil is also a matter of pride for the state. Well. if endeavour is there, that’s it.