Bhogeswar Baruah

Last updated

Bhogeswar Baruah
Personal information
Nationality Assamese; Indian
Born (1940-09-03) 3 September 1940 (age 84)
Sibsagar, Assam
MonumentAbhiruchi Sports Day is celebrated annually in Assam in his honor
Parents
  • Bhodraswar Baruah (father)
  • Aikon Baruah (mother)
Sport
SportAthlete
Rank1st
EventAsian Games
Achievements and titles
Olympic finals Chef-de-mission of the Assam Olympic Association
Highest world ranking1966 Arjuna Award winner
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing Flag of India.svg  India
Asian Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1966 Bangkok 800 m
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1970 Bangkok 4 × 400 m [1]

Bhogeswar Baruah (born 3 September 1940) [2] is an Indian former-athlete and coach. He was one of the first Assamese to win gold at an international event, winning a gold medal in an 800-metre running event at the 1966 Asian Games. He also won a silver medal in the 4 x 400 metres relay in the 1970 Asian games. He is a recipient of the Arjuna Award and is the first Assamese to obtain the Arjuna award. [3] [4]

Contents

Baruah was born on 3 September 1940. He came from a farmer's family, and was very poor while growing up in Sivasagar. Baruah enjoyed sports from a young age, particularly football. He joined the Indian Defence Force in 1960, which led to him focusing on running rather than football. [4]

Baruah began his early running career shortly after his entry into the army. He participated in several running events, winning gold in numerous events. In 1965, in the National Athletics Competition held in Bangalore, he set a national record finishing the 800 metre race in 1 min 49.9 seconds. [4] In the 1966 Asian Games he won gold by running the 800 metres in 1 minute 49.4 seconds, which set a new record in Asia. In the 1970 Asian Games, he won a silver medal in a 4 x 400 metre relay. [3]

Baruah's birthday is celebrated on 3 September every year in Assam, which was named the "Abhiruchi Sports Day" in his honor. He also started a sports academy at Dimow in Sivasagar in the early 1990s. But after operating for three years, he had closed it down due to lack of funds. [5] Baruah is considered a sporting icon and household name in Assam. [6] [7]

Early life and military career

Bhogeswar Baruah was born on 3 September 1940 in Sundarpur in Joyasagar in the Sibsagar district. His father was Bhodraswar Baruah and his mother was Aikon Baruah. Baruah had 7 siblings and was the 6th child out of the 8 siblings. Baruah came from a poor family and his father, the late Bhodraswar Baruah, was uneducated and the economic condition of his family was not good enough to maintain his outfit.

Baruah spent the early years of his colourful life in Sivasagar. Baruah was initially attracted to football, however he also enjoyed boxing and swimming as well as several other sports. [4]

Baruah joined the EME department of the Indian Defence Force in 1960. The course of his life gradually changed after joining the department because he gradually began to focus on running instead of football. [4]

Sporting career

Early career

Baruah participated in the All India Open Athletics Meet Relay in New Delhi. Baruah managed to win gold in the relay. [4]

Baruah participated in the 400 metre and 800 metre race at the Open Athletics held in Sri Lanka in 1964. He again won gold in this event. [4]

In 1964, Baruah participated in the National Athletic Competition held in Chandigarh and in 1965, he participated in the National Athletic Competition held in Bangalore. Notably, he also won a gold medal in these 1964-1965 events. He however not only managed to win gold, but in the 1965 event, Baruah set a national record by finishing the 800 metre race in 1 min 49.9 seconds. [4]

Asian games

In 1966, Baruah managed to bring glory to Assam and the North East, by winning gold in the 1966 Asian Games held in Bangkok in the 800 metres athletics event. Baruah finished in 1 minute 49.4 seconds, which set a new record in Asia by in that time.Not only did Baruah win a gold medal, but he also became the first Assamese to win gold at an international level. [4]

In 1970, Baruah was part of the Indian team that won silver at the 1970 Asian Games in the 400 metre relay. [4]

Baruah also was one of the athletes who carried a torch in a relay in the opening of the 2016 South Asian Games. [8]

Later career

After his retirement from the Indian Army, Baruah found it difficult to maintain his family of five and had to take up the job of a driver in Sibsagar. [6]

Later on, the Assamese sports magazine, Abhiruchi, brought his state to the notice of people and also wrote a letter to the President of India. [6]

As a reaction, ONGC elevated him to the post of Regional Sports Officer in 1983. The Government also sanctioned a petrol pump in his name at Numaligarh later. [6]

Contributions to the sporting world

Baruah established a sports academy in Dimow in Sibasagar in the early 90s. Through the academy, Baruah shared his experiences and started training the younger generations interested in sports. However, after three years, the academy was shut down due the lack of funding. [4]

In 2019, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal laid the foundation stone of Bhogeswar's state sports school at the Sports Complex in Guwahati's Sarusajai. The school which is the first of its kind in the state will be built at a sprawling 20 bigha of land where theoretical and practical coaching will be provided at six prescribed sports (athletics, boxing, association football, weightlifting, archery and taekwondo). Sonowal said that sport is a tool through which peace can be brought in society. Sonowal announced that the government would formulate a policy to integrate it with culture and education so that sportspersons pursuing training are not deprived of academic and moral values. After stating that sport is the way to become energetic and fit, Sonowal urged upon the sporting talents to be disciplined, dedicated and hard working. He also said that to develop quality in the sporting ambience in the state, the Assam Government decided to set up Sports University at Chabua in Dibrugarh district, a Sports College in Kokrajhar and Sports School in Guwahati so that the sporting talents of the state could be properly nurtured. Bhogeswar Baruah was present during the occasion and said that he was happy to see a sports institute after his name. "Definitely, it's a happy feeling for me. I hope the school will help in nurturing a host of young talents who will be able to represent the country in the long run." [9]

Baruah also served as the brand ambassador of Khel Sivasagar Khel of a sports initiative planned under the Soulful Sivasagar campaign adopted by Sivasagar DC M.S Lakshmipriya in 2020. [4] [10] [9]

Legacy

Baruah has been praised for being the first player to receive gold at a national level. Balendra Mohan Chakravarty said "Baruah is the greatest sportsperson Assam has ever produced. He is a pioneer too, being the first athlete from Assam to bring a gold medal for the country from an international meet." [6] A biography of Baruah concluded that he has been able to achieve success by acknowledging a lot of hardship and sacrifice by showing his skills through concentration and perseverance which has made him an icon for the new generation. The biography also stated that Baruah's hard life struggle proved that having duty, courage concentration intelligence and determination to reach the goal cannot hinder any factor from moving forward. The biography said that Assam will always be proud of Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah's achievement as an Assamese. [4]

Baruah himself considers the best compliment to be from Milkha Singh in 1986 in which Singh said "you are very lucky. I am called the Flying Sikh, but I doubt even my neighbours know when my birthday is. And here in Assam, your birthday is celebrated with so much grandeur. I really envy you." [6]

On the 36th Abhiruchi Sports day, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Twitter:

"Shri Bhogeswar Baruah is an inspiration for us all and his contribution towards Assam's sports scenario, both as an athlete and coach, is immense."

Sarbanada Sonowal, 3 September 2019

In 2021, the Assam government under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that Baruah's birthday would be celebrated as sports day in Assam. [11] On 3 September 2021, at the Sports Pension Awards Ceremony, Baruah was one of the 13 recipients which Sarma formally handed over pension sanction letters to. Governor Jagadish Mukhi and ministers Bimal Bora and Parimal Suklabadiya were also present at the ceremony. Sarma said that Baruah's life and achievement would continue to inspire upcoming generations. [11]

Honors and awards

Over Baruah's career, he has received numerous awards: [4]

Books featuring Bhogeswar Baruah

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Music of Assam</span> Overview of music traditions in Assam, India

The music of Assam consists various genres of folk and modern music, drawing its artistic basis from the history of Assam, from Assamese culture and its ancient traditions. In recent times, starting from the late eighties, popular artistes have modernized the music catering to local popular demand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sivasagar</span> Municipality in Assam, India

Sivasagar is a town and headquarter of the Sivasagar district, Assam. Sivasagar is situated about 360 kilometers (224 mi) northeast of Guwahati. It is well known for its Ahom palaces and monuments. Sivasagar is an important centre for tea and oil industries today.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">P. T. Usha</span> Indian track and field athlete

Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha is an Indian sports administrator and retired track and field athlete. Usha was born in Koothali near Perambra in Kozhikode district, Kerala. She grew up in Payyoli. Usha has been associated with Indian athletics since 1979. She has won 4 gold medals and 7 silver medals in the Asian Games. She is often associated as the "Queen of Indian track and field".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shiny Abraham</span> Indian athlete (born 1965)

Shiny Kurisingal Wilson is a retired Indian athlete. She has been a National Champion in 800 metres for 14 years. Shiny Abraham Wilson represented India more than 75 times in international competition. She holds the added distinction of representing Asia in four World Cups. She is also perhaps the only athlete to have taken part in six Asian Track & Field Meets in a row beginning 1985 in Jakarta. During this period she won seven gold, five silver and two bronze medals in the Asian competitions. She collected a total of 18 gold and two silver medals from the seven South Asian Federation (SAF) Meets she has competed.

Honorary Captain Sriram Singh Shekhawat is a former Indian middle-distance runner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barua</span> Assamese surname

Barua is a common Assamese surname shared by the Assamese communities much like Aroras of Punjab.

Jayanta Talukdar is an Indian archer from Assam. He has won individual gold Medal in the 2006 Archery World Cup.

Manathoor Devasia Valsamma is a retired Indian athlete. She was the second Indian woman to win an individual gold medal at the Asian Games and the first to win it on Indian soil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercy Kuttan</span> Indian athlete (born 1960)

Mercy Kuttan is a former Indian track and field athlete. She was the first Indian woman long jumper to cross six meters. In 1989, Mercy received Arjuna Award for her contribution to the Indian athletics.

The Sonowal Kachari are one of the indigenous peoples of the state of Assam in Northeast India. They are of Tibeto-Burman origin, and are closely associated with the other ethnic groups of Assam, which are commonly referred to as Kachari.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">K. M. Binu</span> Indian athlete

Kalayathumkuzhi Mathews Binu is an Indian track and field athlete from Kerala who specializes in 400 metres and 800 metres. He held the current 400 metres national record of 45.48 s set at the 2004 Athens Olympics on 20 August 2004 which was later broken by Mohammad Anas 45.32 sec in Commonwealth games, Gold coast 2018 sec. He broke the 44-year-old Olympics mark held by Milkha Singh who set an Indian National Record with a timing of 45.73 s at the 1960 Rome Olympics. He and his elder sister K. M. Beenamol made history when they became the first Indian siblings to win medals in a major international competition. They won medals at the Busan Asian Games (2002). While Binu won the men's 800 metres silver, his sister won the gold medal in the women's event. Binu received the Arjuna Award for the year 2006 for his achievements in the Indian athletics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tintu Luka</span> Indian middle-distance runner

Tintu Luka is an Indian track and field athlete, who predominantly competes in the middle-distance running events. Born in Valathode, Kerala, she is the national record holder in the women's 800 metres. Luka represented India at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics. In addition to being the 2015 Asian Champion in the 800 meters, she has won a total of six medals at the Asian Athletics Championships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Srabani Nanda</span> Indian sprinter

Srabani Nanda is an Indian woman sprint runner athlete from Odisha specialized in 4x100m relay, 100 metre and 200 metre sprint events. She belongs to Kandhamal District of Odisha. She trains in Kingston, Jamaica with MVP Track & Field Club under coach Stephen Francis.

In India, the sport of athletics was introduced during the period of the British Raj. The sport is governed at national level by the Athletics Federation of India, which was formed in 1946. Despite its large population, few Indian athletes have won a medal in a global or major championship. This began to change in the 21st century, when Indians started taking greater interest in athletics more generally and improved facilities for the sport began to be built at a local level. At a continental level, it has been among the more successful Asian nations, though some distance behind China and Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Himanta Biswa Sarma</span> 15th and current Chief Minister Of Assam

Himanta Biswa Sarma is an Indian politician and lawyer serving as the 15th and current Chief Minister of Assam since 2021. A former member of the Indian National Congress, Sarma joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on 23 August 2015 and soon was made convenor of NEDA. He is a five time Member of the Assam Legislative Assembly from Jalukbari, having been elected since 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Imran Shah (writer)</span> Indian Assamese language writer, poet, novelist, and scholar

Imran Shah, also known as Nawab Imran Shah is an Indian Assamese language writer, poet, novelist, and scholar. He also writes under the pen names Ishan Dutta, Anamika Baruah, Kumbhakarna, and Animesh Baruah. The Government of India awarded him the fourth highest civilian honour of the Padma Shri, in 2021, for his contributions to literature and education.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swapna Barman</span> Indian heptathlete

Swapna Barman is an Indian heptathlete. She won the gold medal at 2018 Asian Games and placed first in the Heptathlon at the 2017 Asian Athletics Championships. In August 2019, she was honoured with the Arjuna Award. In 2022, she took gold medals in the high jump and the heptathlon at the National Games of India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hima Das</span> Indian 400m sprinter

Hima Das, nicknamed Dhing Express, is an Indian sprinter from the state of Assam. She holds the current Indian national record in 400 meters with a timing of 50.79 s that she clocked at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia. She is the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal in a track event at the IAAF World U20 Championships. She was appointed as a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in Assam Police under the state's Integrated Sport Policy.

References

  1. "MEDAL WINNERS OF ASIAN GAMES". Athletics Federation of India. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  2. Case Studies on Individual Elite Players & Athletes; .pdf auto-download: shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in'; retrieved May 2014
  3. 1 2 Bhogeswar Barua Bonus for Assam; STAFF ; Monday, 18 July 2005 article; The Telegraph ; accessed May 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "Biography of Bhogeswar Baruah » Dev Library". Dev Library. 25 April 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  5. Star Athlete's Dream Runs Off Track; 23 May 2011, 12.23 PM IST article; Times of India online; accessed May 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Making sports a celebration and a tribute - Indian Express". archive.indianexpress.com. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  7. "Buried tale of a once-forgotten hero - Indian Express". archive.indianexpress.com. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  8. Archiman Bhaduri (6 February 2016). "12th SA Games: Digital touch to opening | More sports News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  9. 1 2 Gani, Abdul (26 February 2019). "Assam to have sports school after its first Arjuna awardee Bhogeswar Baruah". thebridge.in. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  10. News, Ne Now (25 February 2019). "Assam CM lays foundation stone of Bhogeswar Baruah Sports School". NORTHEAST NOW. Retrieved 10 May 2022.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  11. 1 2 "CM Himanta Biswa Sarma hands over Sports Pension for 2021-22". Way2Barak. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  12. News, Ne Now (9 February 2020). "Government committed to empower the people of Assam: Sonowal". NORTHEAST NOW. Retrieved 10 May 2022.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  13. Bureau, Pratidin. "Bhogeswar Baruah To be Conferred with Bir Chilarai Award". Pratidin Time. Retrieved 10 May 2022.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)