By Sakul Kundra
Many untold stories are buried in repositories, but when presented on the silver screen, such as in “Chandu Champion,” a biographical sports drama, they reflect the spirit of perseverance, resilience, and triumph.
This story is about the extraordinary undefeated hero, Murlikant Petkar, who made his nation proud by achieving the country’s first Paralympic gold medal in freestyle swimming in Heidelberg, Germany (1972).
Petkar had a childhood dream of achieving an Olympic gold medal in wrestling, joined the army, and later changed his sport to boxing. He was a veteran of the 1965 war. Despite partial paralysis, he showed a spirit of conviction and perseverance, surpassing innumerable odds to compete in the international Paralympics and win a gold medal in swimming. It is a journey from adversity to triumph that motivates and inspires.
The morale resonates far beyond the idea of winning in sports, teaching invaluable lessons about the power of the human spirit and resilience, which this op-ed attempts to capture.
This captivating film focuses on the journey and life of Murlikant Petkar, a child who was discouraged by fellow mates and labelled a “loser” or “chandu,” rather than a “champion.”
Usually, children are told to dream within the confines of their means and abilities, limiting their objectives and falling short of reaching their respective dreams. Some youths break these shackles with perseverance when life surrounds them with hurdles. This is the essence of the untold saga, where youths must choose between the options available to determine their future goals.
Real life is full of challenges like a battlefield, and only a few are able to conquer the peak of their dreams, while many make compromises and choose substitute professions.
Petkar’s expedition serves as a reminder that true greatness is not only determined by achievements such as medals and records. Instead, it is defined by the bravery to get up again after each failure, the fortitude to persist in the face of adversity, and the ability to transform setbacks into opportunities for progress.
The relentless pursuit of excellence and never losing heart in front of challenges should be the spirit of every individual. It is crucial to realise one’s potential, decide on dreams, and make inroads to achieve them, irrespective of any career. This inspires generations to believe in the spirit of determination and strive to achieve excellence.
The message is simple: keep the spirit alive despite challenges and make the nation proud.
After teaching for half a decade in prestigious overseas colleges, I commenced teaching Fijian students, where I felt this unwavering determination in many students. Not everyone is in the same position to financially support their living and studies, but despite these odds, some students of Fiji continue to follow their struggle to achieve success with perseverance.
The passion for achieving the goal is significant in triumphing over adversity and defying all expectations. Setting up goals and long-term plans are useful steps to envision the journey and execute it. Staying focused and having unwavering faith in one’s own abilities equips the road map towards achieving goals.
Teachers and mentors play a significant role in the journey of inspiring students. “Chandu Became a Champion” reflects the path-breaking contribution of his mentor, who was a boxing trainer and later a para-athlete swimming trainer. The punchline by Chandu was “Mai bhi Champion Banega” (I will also become a champion). If every student makes resolutions to become a champion and continues to work towards its achievement, it is highly likely they will achieve glory and make their family, friends, and nation proud.
I believe it is a must-watch film that reflects the emotion of perseverance and resilience. Fiji has produced many such champions in various fields on international platforms. They may not have thought they could compete with advanced Global North nations, but their spirit towards achieving success with hard work and practice brought glory to their nation.
Note: An earlier version of this article, titled “A Tale of Chandu Champion: Untold Story of Resilience and Perseverance,” appeared in the Fiji Times. It has been republished here with the kind permission of the author.
Contributing Author: Dr Sakul Kundra is an Associate Dean (Research) and Associate Professor at the College of Humanities, Education and Law at Fiji National University. The views expressed are his own and not of this newspaper or his employer.
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