Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)
Kundapur, Sep 3: A boy from here has emerged as a shining star in the Pro Kabaddi League, which was able to arouse interests among the sports enthusiasts of the country towards Kabaddi like cricket''s IPL.
Rishank Devadiga Gangolli (22), who represented U Mumba team could keep his opponents on tenterhooks through his raids that were quick and affective. With his superb display of fitness, finesse, and agility, Rishank has emerged as one of the most promising stars of Kabaddi at the national level within a period one month.
The very concept of Pro Kabaddi League happens to be unique and appreciable. This idea could wipe out the long-standing notion in India that cricket happens to be the only sport that is adored in the country. Pro Kabaddi Lealgue kicked up a scintillating experience since the beginning, and within a few days, all the family members started getting glued to their television sets to experience the excitement and thrill the game generated with each passing day.
As the matches progressed, Rishank, who played for U Mumba team, succeeded in leaving an indelible impression in the minds of the viewers through his deft moves and fearless raids. This player rose to be treated like a hero by the viewers and sports lovers because of his style of play. In the recent past, his raids ensured that his team destroyed the prospects of Bangalore Bulls. Rishank, who has become a sensation in the arena of sports through his moves and maneuvers, has made his home town, Gangolli in the taluk, proud.
Rishank, 22, was born in 1992 as the son of Parvati and the late Krishna Devadiga from Subrahmanya Krupa, Gaddekere, Gangolli. A third year Bcom degree course student, Rishank, whose height is 182 cm and weighs 80 kg, has an imposing presence that can give rise to fear in the hearts of his opponents.
True, Rishank faced utter poverty and lot of problems since birth. His personality bloomed under the umbrella of strong willpower of his mother. His father, who had been an auto rickshaw driver in Mumbai, suffered cardiac arrest and died while immersing an idol of Lord Ganesha when Rishank was three. Parvati, who inherited the onus of bringing the boy up, remained stoic and strong in the face of harassment and accusations she faced from the family members of her in-laws. She shifted base to Mumbai, having been determined to bring the children up in their lives by giving them education, and thereby allowing the soul of her husband to rest in peace. She stayed in a rented house in Wakul Extension in Santacruz, and gave the auto rickshaw of her husband on hire. She operated a beauty parlour, faced lot of problems by living in a house that they were forced to vacate whenever there was heavy rain. She remained strong, provided education to children, as a result of which, her daughter, Reshma Devadiga, completed her education and got a good job in Punjab National Bank. Rishank, who is continuing to work for Bharat Petroleum while studying for his degree, has now made a mark in Kabaddi.
Parvati has now been seeing the light after traversing the long tunnel of problems. Her son, who has shown his talent in Kabaddi, is a prospect for being chosen as a national Kabaddi player. Rishank, who is simplicity personified, has never forgotten his mother tongue, although he is in Mumbai since childhood. He will be visiting his hometown after the 15th of this month. Rishank, who was deprived of fatherly care and love, has blossomed under shelter of his mother''s affection and care of his maternal uncles.
Like his late father, Rishank too is an ardent devotee of Lord Ganesha. During the 45-day long celebrations of Vinayaka Chaturthi in Mumbai, Rishank takes an active part. During this period, he turns into a strict vegetarian. Rishank, who has become a hero for the Mumbaikars, has won over the hearts of his fans, although his team got defeated at the end. It may be noted that Rishank, who lost his father during Ganesha festival, emerged as an excellent Kabaddi player during the period the country was celebrating this festival.
His maternal uncle, Sridhar Devadiga, says that Rishank, who is very simple, is very strong physically. He says that Rishank can life him and other members of his family with his single hand. ''When he was young, he even accompanied us during visits as part of our profession of playing musical instruments during auspicious occasions. He was very naughty when young. I am very pleased to see him grow strong and famous,'' he said.
Rishank says that his next goal is to secure a spot in the Indian Kabaddi team. His mother, Parvati, confesses that she forgets the problems and difficulties of the past when seeing the present accomplishment of her son.