H.N. Girisha, who hit the headlines after winning a silver medal in the Paralympic Games held in London in 2012, is angry with both the Union and State governments for failing to keep their promise of offering him a job. It has been 20 months since he won the medal. He feels insulted that he has to remind the governments to look into his case.
Mr. Girisha, a native of Hosanagara village in Arakalgud taluk of Hassan district, was the only athlete from India to win a medal in the Paralympics that year. His achievement not only drew the attention of those in power but also of other sportspersons.
Cricket maestro Sachin Tendulkar himself called him up to congratulate him. The Centre had promised him a Class 1 executive job in the Sports Authority of India (SAI). The then Sports Minister, Ajay Maken, had tweeted his assurance. Even The State government had assured him a job in Karnataka.
Speaking to The Hindu on Friday, Mr. Girisha said, “I approached the Centre and the SAI several times. But nothing has worked out. How many times should I go and beg for a job?” he said.
He had even met State government authorities many times, but to no avail. “I am happy that the Centre honoured me with the Padma Shree. I met Karnataka Sports Minister Abhay Chandra Jain only to hear that something will be done,” he said.
The previous BJP government had assured him a job. “The present Minister and officers say there was no Government Order. If the previous government did not issue an order, does that mean the present government ignores the promises made earlier? If this is the government’s attitude, how will children be motivated to take up sports?” he asked.
Hassan Urban Development Authority offered him a 1,200 sq.ft site in Vijaya Nagar Layout in Hassan. Other Olympic medallists have been offered good posts in other States. There, Olympic medallists are working in the cadre of Superintendent of Police or Deputy Superintendent of Police. Besides, they get financial support to take part in international sports meets, he said.
Mr. Girisha, hailing from a poor family, had resigned from his job in a private company to practice for the Paralympic Games in 2012.
Before leaving for London, he had approached the Deputy Commissioner of Hassan to help him get a job. The DC had suggested he apply for the post of village accountant, for which the recruitment process was on. However, within a couple of weeks, he won the medal in London and he was promised a government post by both the Centre and the State.
