In a heartwarming gesture, industrialist Anand Mahindra has extended a generous offer to Ram Baboo, a 24-year-old daily wage laborer turned Asian Games medallist. Ram Baboo, hailing from Uttar Pradesh’s Sonbhadra district, recently secured a bronze medal in the 35 km race-walking event at the Asian Games 2023. His remarkable journey from a struggling background to the international sports stage has inspired many, including Anand Mahindra, who is offering him a vehicle of his choice.
Ram Baboo’s story is a testament to his relentless dedication and unwavering spirit. Born into a family with limited financial means, he is the only son of a manual laborer and a homemaker, with three sisters. The family’s monthly income of Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,500 barely sufficed to make ends meet.
To pursue his passion for sports, Ram Baboo undertook a challenging path. He took up various odd jobs, including working as a waiter to finance his sports training. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, he didn’t back down and worked as a laborer under the MGNREGA scheme.
Speaking about his journey, Baboo said, “I have done everything possible in my life so far, from working as a waiter in Varanasi to digging up pits along with my father for road construction under the MGNREGA scheme at our village.” He further revealed that working as a waiter was often disheartening, as people didn’t always treat him with respect.
Ram Baboo’s inspiring journey from humble beginnings to the Asian Games podium has earned him immense respect and admiration. Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group, commended his “unstoppable courage and determination” and offered to gift him a vehicle.
Mahindra stated, “I’d like to support his family by giving them any tractor or pickup truck of ours they want.” This generous gesture not only recognizes Baboo’s incredible achievements but also seeks to ease the financial burdens on his family.
Ram Baboo’s path to success was marked by numerous challenges and sacrifices. In an interview with PTI, he revealed that he initially worked as a waiter in Varanasi, where he crossed paths with coach Chandrabahan Yadav. However, the low pay and lack of respect led him to return home.
In 2019, Baboo managed to convince a coach at the Bhopal SAI Centre to mentor him. He competed in the 50 km event at the National Race Walk Championships in February 2020, just before the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown. Despite the adversity, he finished fourth.
During the lockdown, the Bhopal SAI Centre was closed, and Baboo returned home. His parents struggled to find work to support themselves. Fortunately, they secured employment under the MGNREGA scheme, and Baboo assisted his father in road construction work, earning Rs 300 to 400 per day.
Anand Mahindra’s generosity extends beyond this heartwarming offer. In the past, he also gifted an electric car to the parents of chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa, demonstrating his commitment to recognizing and supporting exceptional talent from diverse backgrounds.
This touching story of Ram Baboo’s determination, coupled with Anand Mahindra’s gracious offer, serves as a reminder that true success knows no boundaries and that compassionate gestures can change lives.
