38 Comments
User's avatar
Ila Reddy's avatar

Beautiful piece. Was gut wrenching to see her disqualified not because I wanted us to win the medal but for what it would mean for her and all that she stood and fought for. She is a living hero in so many ways ❤️

Expand full comment
Sarthak Dev's avatar

Thank you, Ila! Was indeed so crushing to read that news. I don't think anyone could quite believe their eyes.

Expand full comment
Sri Srikrishna's avatar

Sarthak, you are a poet—a keen observer who uses words as a surgeon wields a scalpel. Thank you.

Expand full comment
Sarthak Dev's avatar

Thank you so much for the kind words :)

Expand full comment
Jeff Kurian's avatar

When this whole episode was unfolding, I was angry sad and distraught. You have a gift and you have nurtured it well as I could articulate and resonate with many of my emotions through this piece. Thank you

Expand full comment
Sarthak Dev's avatar

Thank you so much, Jeff!

Expand full comment
Harry's avatar

A brilliant piece indeed! The way you write is mesmerizing and this piece especially gave me goosebumps. It was absolutely crushing to hear what Vinesh had to go through, I just hope she finds peace and is able to work through her grief!

Expand full comment
Sarthak Dev's avatar

Thank you, Harry.

And totally. Hope she finds some rest.

Expand full comment
Rituparna Ghosh's avatar

What a beautiful celebration of Vinesh. I don’t write on sports because I don’t watch or understand it as much. However, I do understand human spirit that makes ordinary humans into heroes. Vinesh is one. You are right Sarthak.

Expand full comment
Sarthak Dev's avatar

Thank you, Rituparna! :)

Expand full comment
Charulatha Banerjee's avatar

This is a fitting tribute to Vinesh Phogat. My words fail me Sarthak- I just read it out to the good man at home and I found myself choking with emotion. Yes, we want our heroes to be 'whole' people; Vinesh Phogat will be one such. Thank you so much for writing this and just so brilliantly. 🎖️

Expand full comment
Sarthak Dev's avatar

Thank you so much, Charulatha! Very kind of you :)

Expand full comment
Amrita's avatar

Loved this, Sarthak! An important topic and beautiful writing. Your metaphor game is so strong - "fought with bare hands against the iron fist of the Indian state" - really leaves an impression in the mind.

Expand full comment
Sarthak Dev's avatar

Thank you, Amrita! :)

Expand full comment
Maanav's avatar

Fantastic. You’ve done her a great service by placing the Paris Olympics next to all her other battles, and putting things in perspective. Thank you for this piece.

Expand full comment
Sarthak Dev's avatar

Thank you so much, Maanav. :)

Expand full comment
Bharadwaj's avatar

Years later when someone looks up for writing on Vinesh, this will be read.

Expand full comment
Sarthak Dev's avatar

That is very kind, Bharadwaj. Thank you:)

Expand full comment
Sanket's avatar

Sarthak this is go good. You emote so well through words.

About Vinesh, my only wish for her is she get some peace and happiness in the days to come. She is a hero of this country. I hope she knows that.

Expand full comment
Sarthak Dev's avatar

Thank you, Sanket! And I swear to god man.

Expand full comment
Binu Sivan's avatar

It is heartbreaking and yet, like you said, she has inspired us - the sport and its medal being secondary. Not often that such Titans walk amongst us. Her gift to all of us extends beyond wrestling. I really hope she knows that.

Expand full comment
Sanskriti Bhatia's avatar

What a beautiful essay! Especially the last segment on heroes. Thank you for writing this :)

Expand full comment
Sarthak Dev's avatar

Thank you so much, Sanskriti! :)

Expand full comment
Avinash Shenoy's avatar

I will keep coming back to this. Brilliant post. Thanks Sarthak!

Expand full comment
Sarthak Dev's avatar

Thank you, Avinash!

Expand full comment
Ayush's avatar

Brilliant writing, Sarthak! I loved every para

Expand full comment
Sarthak Dev's avatar

Thank you, Ayush!

Expand full comment
Sameer's avatar

Vinesh Phogat's life should become a part of our children's syllabus, so that our future generation can be inspired from an individual who made the entire system that was against her, bow before her.

She went to the Olympics as a hero, and returned with an even greater aura.

You have a way with words Sarthak, superb

Expand full comment
Sarthak Dev's avatar

Thank you, Sameer!

Expand full comment
Pooja's avatar

Wow. You made me shed some tears again. This piece is so beautifully written. After Vinesh's news and Neeraj's silver, I was thinking about this—about heroes. It’s like reading my own thoughts, but your writing has given so much depth to them. With Vinesh's retirement announcement, and as Neeraj said, I hope we collectively don’t forget what she has been able to accomplish, with or without the medal.

Expand full comment
Sarthak Dev's avatar

Thank you, Pooja. :) And indeed, Neeraj is so right.

Expand full comment