A 15-year-old boy, along with his family, like lakhs of other Kashmiri Pandits, was left homeless in 1990 after being driven out of the Kashmir Valley by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists.The boy, who had big dreams before the unfortunate displacement of his family, was staring at an uncertain and a dark future in 1990.
However, little did he know that getting enrolled at a local Taekwondo and Wushu training centre near Raghunath temple in Jammu city was going to change his life forever and make him a national sporting icon.This is the story of the eleven-time national Wushu champion, who also won medals for India at the international sporting events, and the current national chief coach of Indias Wushu team - Kuldeep Handoo.
Under his tutelage, Indian Wushu players have shone on the international horizon and won three gold medals at the World Wushu Championship and one gold at the World Cup.PM Narendra Modi with coaches after the 2018 Asian Games.The sports fraternity and even common people in J-K are on cloud nine these days as Handoo, the proud son of the soil, has been recently honoured with the prestigious Dronacharya Award for the year 2020.
The 45-year-old Srinagar-born became the first Dronacharya awardee from J-K.President Ramnath Kovind presenting the Dronacharya Award 2020 to national Wushu coach Kuldeep Handoo in a virtual award ceremony on August 29.The award was presented to him by President Ramnath Kovind in a virtual ceremony organised on August 29.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the ceremony could not be held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, and was therefore organised virtually.Speaking to India Today, Handoo said that his life has been turbulent, but he has always remained focussed and steadfast in achieving his goal.
Narrating the horror of late 80s and early 90s, Handoo said that he and his family had to flee their home in Kashmir due to terrorism.We had a three-storey house in Rainawari locality of Srinagar, but after our displacement from the Kashmir Valley, my entire family had to live in a single-room rented accommodation in Jammu's Jullaka Mohalla locality.
My father was working as a clerk in State Road Transport Corporation at that time and my family was facing financial problems.
Terrorism snatched everything from us.
I wanted to pursue studies in engineering or medicine, but due to the financial crisis, I had to give up my aim.
I instead graduated in commerce," Handoo said.Kuldeep Handoo (left) with Bronze medallist Roshibina Devi at the 2018 Asian Games, which were held in Jakarta, Indonesia."Incidentally, one day my friend Ashok Zutshi told me that Taekwondo, Wushu training was being given for free by Vishal Sharma sir at Raghunath temple complex in Jammu city.
So, I decided to get enrolled at the training centre and the rest is history, Handoo said while speaking to India Today at his Jammu residence.He said that his parents supported him a lot and never opposed his participation in sports.
He added that within days of enrolling at the centre, he developed great interest in both martial arts Taekwondo and Wushu.
Later, upon the advice of his guru, Vishal Sharma, he decided to focus on Wushu.2019 World Championship at Shanghai in China.
Kuldeep Handoo is posing with Gold medallists Praveen Kumar and Poonam Khatri, silver medallist Y Sanathoi Devi and Bronze medallist Vikrant Baliyan.Recalling the contributions of his guru Vishal Sharma, the 45-year-old Dronacharya awardee said that without his guidance, training and mentoring, he would not have achieved success in his sporting career, both as an athlete and a coach.I have immense respect for my Guru Vishal Sharma Sir.
Whatever Im today, it is because of his guidance and efforts.
He passed away in 2005.
I miss him a lot.
He would have been so proud today, Handoo said.Our landlord Chandershekhar Ji in Jullaka Mohalla, where we lived as tenants, also encouraged me a lot and loved me like his own son.
We are still in touch and meet quite often.
I continue to get blessings from him.
However, after the outbreak of Covid-19, we haven't been able to meet, but we stay in touch over the phone, Kuldeep Handoo said.Kuldeep Handoo at 14th World Wushu Championship which was held at Kazan in Russia in 2017.
In the above photo, Handoo is posing with gold medallist Pooja Kadian and his assistant coach Rajesh Kumar.A national champion for 11 years on the bounce!Kuldeep Handoo, as a Wushu player, has represented J-K at national sports events and was the national champion for 11 years on the spin.
He won gold medals at the National Wushu Championship from 1995 to 2005.
He also clinched a gold medal in 2007 National Games.The Srinagar-born sporting icon has also represented India at many international Wushu events and championships where he won several medals.He also won gold medals at the South Asian Wushu Championship in 2000 and 2003.
Handoo also brought laurels to the country by winning a Bronze medal at the Asian Wushu Championship which was held in Myanmar in 2004.The turning point of my career was when I won the gold medal at the National Wushu Championship which was held in Mizoram in 1995.
After that, I had a dream run and I became an 11-time national Wushu champion, Handoo saidAfter 2006, he turned to coaching and first became the coach of the junior national Wushu team and later in 2010, national chief coach of Wushu team.
Under his guidance, the country has had a dream run in Wushu and so far India has won three gold medals in world championships and one gold in the World Cup.
During his stint as the national coach, India has also bagged 27 silver and 57 bronze medals in different competitions including Asian Games, World Championship and World Cup.Now my aim is to have a player trained by me win a gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games.
Im working very hard for this and Im quite confident.
I will achieve this.
Wushu is not a part of the Olympics, but Im hopeful that in the next Olympics it will be.
If it happens, my goal will be to prepare our players for winning gold at the Olympics, he said.Kuldeep Handoo was appointed a sub-inspector in J-K Police in 1998.Meanwhile, the J-K Police department has also expressed happiness at Handoos latest feat.
Handoo is also an inspector in the J-K Police.
He was appointed as a sub-inspector in J-K Police in 1998, under the sports quota and later promoted to inspector in 2005.I would like to thank all my seniors and colleagues in the J-K Police.
They have always supported and encouraged me.
I also won a Bronze medal in boxing for J-K Police in All India Police Games in 2000, Handoo said.J-K DGP Dilbag Singh has congratulated Handoo on being honoured with the prestigious Dronacharya Award.
In a statement released by the J-K Police last month, Singh had said that Handoo had achieved yet another remarkable milestone and it will inspire upcoming sportspersons in J-K.
Extending good wishes to the Dronacharya awardee, the DGP said that Handoo has brought laurels to the J-K Police and J-K.
He also wished him luck for his future assignments.Handoo's family is immensely proud of him and his achievements.
Speaking to India Today, his parents said that their son has been always focussed and hardworking, and they have always supported him in chasing his dreams.Im so happy.
We are very proud of him.
He has been very hardworking since childhood.
God has blessed me with a talented son, Phoola Handoo, Kuldeep's mother said with tears of joy in her eyes.We are extremely delighted.
Our joy knew no bounds when we first heard that he was going to receive the Dronacharya Award.
He worked very hard.
During his training days, he used to return from practice and training sessions at midnight.
We lost everything in Kashmir due to terrorism.
I had no money to give to my son.
Whatever he has achieved today, it is because of his own hard work.
He has made Rainawari locality of Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, and the whole country proud, Jawaharlal Handoo, Kuldeeps father told India Today while beaming with pride.Kuldeeps wife, Bhavneet Handoo, who was a national-level Wushu player, said the governments decision to honour her husband with the Dronacharya Award has made her very proud and hoped that he continues to bring laurels to the country.We are very happy.
Most of the time, he has to stay away from the family due to sporting events.
My husbands hard work has finally yielded results.
We are very thankful to the Sports Ministry, the government and the Honble President of India.
I would continue to support my husband in his future plans, Bhavneet told India Today.Bhavneet, a member of the Sikh community, married Kuldeep in 2011.
They have an eight-year-old son, Bhavkul.Kuldeep Handoo with his wife Bhavneet and son Bhavkul.So how did the love blossom between Kuldeep and Bhavneet?Speaking to India Today, Kuldeep said that they first became friends and later fell in love with each other.
I first met her at Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu in 2006.
Since both of us were Wushu players, we used to meet often.
Soon, we became good friends.
After one year, we realised we were in love.
That day came when I decided to propose to her.
In a filmy style, I bought some fresh red roses and decided to propose to her.
We met near her house, I gave her the roses, confessed my love for her and asked her if she would marry me.
She smiled and said yes.
This is how our love story began, Handoo said."She is a Sikh and Im a Kashmiri Hindu.
Our families were very understanding, they didnt oppose our relationship.
In fact, they happily agreed to our marriage.
My wife has learnt all Kashmiri Pandit customs and rituals.
She cooks mouth-watering Kashmiri dishes.
We respect each others faiths and customs.
We celebrate Herath (Mahashivratri) and Gurpurab with equal enthusiasm and religious fervour, Handoo said.
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