DIFFERENTLY-ABLED 26/11 TERROR ATTACK HERO SELLS HIS MARATHON MEDALS TO DONATE FOR CORONA RELIEF

A commando who was injured severely in the 26/11 attack, sells his medals to contribute funds in order to aid the fight against the novel coronavirus pandemic. He has already donated Rs. 2 lakhs.

The Shaurya Chakra awardee Praveen Teotia was part of the Indian Navy MARCOS Marine Commandos’s ‘Operation Black Tornado’ at Mumbai’s Taj Hotel in 2008. He took four bullets to his chest resulting in severe chest injury and suffered from ear damage. “After Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked for a contribution to the relief fund, I decided to auction 40 of my medals on online platforms. I have already managed to sell two of them and received a sum of Rs 2 lakh. It has been deposited in PM-CARES relief fund,” Teotia told the Indian Express. He took to twitter and said, “if you can’t be a candle just be a mirror which can reflect the light.”

After suffering from the injuries in 2008, he lost partial hearing, making it impossible for him to return to his previous job. In an attempt to prove himself, he began participating in marathons.

Today, Teotia is a marathon runner who has competed in various countries. He was named as the Iron-man twice, once in South Africa and once in Malaysia. In February 2020, he was mentioned in the Limca book of records as the first differently-abled Ironman of India.

His hard-earned medals, after having taken bullets for the country are now being sold to support the country in this fight. “I believe in this fight we are all together. Let us not criticise each other at this moment and stand side by side,” he continues. “As a former soldier, I have always been taught to give back to my country. I come from a village which has given this nation 39 martyrs, eight freedom fighters and one former PM- Chaudhury Charan Singh. Since I am neither a doctor nor a medic this is the only way I can offer my services to the country in this moment of crisis.” This Ironman from UP is inspiring thousands.