A valiant transformation: From drug addict to sportsman
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 13, 2009: This is the story of a young man who redeemed himself from the jaws of drugs.

And now he has shown to the world that not all is lost with drug addicts and that they are no enemies of the society.

Suresh strikes a pose with his fencing gear

Besides successfully giving up his drug habit, this young is now a good sportsperson.

Suresh is the youngest of the three siblings born to Athokpam Manihar and Athokpam Ashangbi of Top Awang Leikai, Tinsid Road.

He was born on March 7, 1988. When Suresh was a kid of nine years, he met with a major road accident.

The accident severely fractured his left leg rendering it lame.

The accident produced a crippling effect on the young boy, physically and mentally.

Gradually, he started losing self-confidence and went into chronic depression.

Ultimately, Suresh started taking to drugs.

At one point of time, Suresh could not think of staying away from drugs.

Driven by his sheer determination, supported by timely and proper counselling, Suresh has not only bade goodbye to drugs but also managed to transform himself into a good sportsperson.

Talking to The Sangai Express, Suresh said that he never dreamt of becoming a sports player.

Somehow he started participating in sports events in physically challenging category last year.

And now he has won several medals including golds in fencing and athletics at National level competitions.

Suresh won a silver medal and a bronze at the Disabled Paralympic National Athletic Tournament held at Jaipur in July 2008. Suresh represented India at the Wheel-Chair Fencing World Cup at Italy in May this year.

In the National Wheel-Chair Fencing Championships held in Tamil Nadu on August 1 and 2 last, Suresh bagged two gold medals in individual events and another gold in team event.

He was also adjudged best fencer of the championship.

Suresh would be leaving Imphal on September 15 to participate in athletics events at the National Sports Meet for Disabled scheduled to be held at Chennai from September 19 to 21. Moreover, he has already been selected to represent India at the Wheel-Chair Fencing World Cup scheduled to be held at Poland in November.

Considering his achievements in the field of sports today, nobody would believe that Suresh was once highly addicted to SP capsules.

He could not sleep the whole night when he could not get SP capsules and he would remain restless throughout the night.

"When I could not get SP capsules, I felt lethargic and mentally agitated.

It was very painful.

At such times, I used to take liquor", Suresh recalled.

On his initiation to drugs, Suresh said, "as a young boy, I used to go roaming and join Thabal Chongba.

I did go for Thabal Chongba but I could not join my friends in Thabal Chongba because of my leg.

I felt very disappointed and depressed.

"By that time, some of my friends had already started taking SP capsules.

Soon I too fell prey to the same drug.

That was in 2006", he said.

When his mother Ashangbi came to know about his drug habit, Suresh was taken to the All Manipur Anti-Drug Association.

With the support of AMADA, family members took the help of counsellors and experts for de-addiction treatment of Suresh.

Slowly and steadily Suresh succeeded in giving up his drug habit.

He even joined AMADA in their anti-drug drive.

Suresh was introduced to fencing by his cousin Sanatomba who is also a fencing player.

Because of low self-esteem bred by his lameness, coupled with the penury of his family, Suresh gave up schooling after studying up to standard VIII.

"Today, I don't feel any shame for being a handicapped.

I would concentrate on sports practice so that I can bring more laurels for the state", Suresh said with confidence.

Appreciating his ideal will power as well as his achievements, AMADA felicitated Suresh at its office today.

He was also given a cash incentive of Rs 5000 by AMADA.

Speaking at the occasion, AMADA general secretary Ph Phony appealed to all parents not to keep their drug abusing children concealed.

He further called upon all to save youth from the jaws of drugs with the help of de-addiction/treatment experts.