Adversity brings the best out of you provided you are prepared to fight and Joginder Singh Saluja, fondly known as Bitoo paaji, fits the bill perfectly. His story is a triumph of dogged determination, a victory over cynicism; a tale of grime, guts and glory.

Like all other children of his age, Joginder too had dreams and wanted to make it big in his life. But that was not to be, as despite his aspirations and determination, there was something that was always coming in his way.  His wings of dreams were crippled by destiny as the youngster suffered from locomotors disability from his childhood.

But then Bittoo wasn’t the one who would let his fate decide his life. Here was a man who not only overcame the taunts and skeptism of others, but also defeated his weakness to reach where he is today.

Bittoo today is an enterprising 25-year-old who stands with not only accolades but also a franchise of his own fitness centre. Though he walks with a stick in his hand and he may not be able to do a run-down on the tread mill, he has done great in his life so far.

Bittoo still remembers how once a gym instructor had mawkishly laughed at him when he wanted to enroll into the gym. That day itself he made a pact to himself that he would make it large for himself and soon Bittoo was on a roll.

At the age of 16, Bittoo won the title of Mr Delhi in the body building category and surprised everybody. After the win, Bittoo continued pursuing body building for another two years and in this tenure he won most north centric and national centric championships, including Mr North India and Mr India.

Prior to that, the young man delved into Para Power Lifting, which he continued for six years. He won the ‘Strongest Man of India (Junior)’ thrice and later he even went on to win in the senior category.

He was also awarded the ‘Indian Champion’ in arm wrestling competition. And if this wasn’t enough, Bittoo has also been felicitated as the ‘National Role Model Award’ by the President of India Pratibha Patil and was the youngest man to have received this award.

Bittoo, who had enrolled in Khalsa University in the year 2006, when facilities for differently challenged students were on the limited side, is one of the people who helped the Delhi University start the ‘Disability buses from the equal opportunity cell to move around the campus, which stood still otherwise.

While asked about his take on what people think about differently challenged people, he said, “The feeling towards disabled people is the same now as well. We are already an outcast. The society doesn’t understand that we are also capable of giving back to it. However the times are changing and I want people to go ahead and make something out of themselves.”

At present, Bittoo owns a franchise of his own gyms, called the ‘Work out Wonders’ which is at present functional in Vivek Vihar, East Delhi. He wishes to own a chain of his own gymnasium in the near future.

While asked what he thinks about people who are facing similar issues today, he said, “Life is all about going out and living it. Hence everyone should go out and live it. And if someone has the determination and the will power, they could easily achieve anything.”

By Ronisha Bhattacharya
Indian Sports News