Ronaldo is his role model. A football player from school time, Niklesh Manohar Pednekar, a young BCA graduate who started working in the IT department at the Nuclear Plant in Kaiga Karnataka as software engineer and later joined Goa Hyundai as an IT executive, and finally settled as Goa Police personnel only because he wanted to continue playing football with ease, and also have a secure job at the same time. But when an accident turns the goal of his life upside down, leading to an amputation of his right leg, and leaving him with a tag ‘disabled for life’ what happens to his long cherished dream of kicking a football and being in the game forever?
The 35-year-old cop, now working in the police administration department due to his inability to continue as a constable, displays exemplary courage. Leg or no leg, he didn’t give up on his love for sports. He learnt swimming in six hours, practicing for two hours a day on weekends and participating in para swimming bagged second prize, a silver medal in 50-metre swimming. “I participate in all para games, cricket, table tennis, marathons, and now I am all set for the next Purple Fest where I will test my abilities,” says Niklesh who won Emerging Player trophy for table tennis and a bronze as well. He also walked a 2 km marathon this year with his prosthetic leg.
Resident of Bogda, Vasco, Niklesh graduated in BCA in 2010 and after his stints in two other jobs, joined Goa Police in December 2013 in IRB recruitment as police constable. “Among thousands of applications for the post of police personnel I cleared all physical efficiency tests and also stood 12th in the written examination and then overall ranked 4th among all the numerous applicants. With my height exactly at 168 cms which is required to be in the police, I cleared all the hurdles in army-like training. Rifle, weight lifts, crossing 12 ft wall, rope climbing, etc within a minute. Everything had to be done in a minute and I did it all and was selected in Goa Police,” he shares.
Niklesh does painting, likes listening to music and playing football on mobile. Watching football matches is still his favourite past-time. Travelling with his family outside Goa is also something that he enjoys. Once a Bullet rider, Niklesh has applied for a licence in the disability category now, done his medical and waiting for the licence to drive his car. He purchased a prosthetic leg from his savings and contributions from his four sisters and brother-in-laws. “I wanted to have a low activity prosthetic but they all refused and convinced me to buy a better activity level prosthetic,” shares Niklesh whose late father did a private job, and his mother is a homemaker.
Youngest among five siblings, it’s been eight years that Niklesh is wearing the prosthetic leg which has hydraulic resistance and which does not allow him to fall with the return reflex being smooth. Wearing a prosthetic limb hurts badly, but not giving up sports, he is learning para games and wants to excel in them. “Sometimes I get wounds, and cannot walk. But I am lucky to have a supportive family, empathetic co-workers and understanding seniors. I am given relaxation to work from home during such painful days.”
Recalling the accident, Niklesh shares, “I was on my Bullet with my girlfriend (now my wife, we married after my amputation) as pillion rider when I met with this accident that left multiple fractures in both of us. My thigh bone was broken and the sharp bone end cut my vein, causing an ample amount of blood loss during the first few hours after the accident. Leg became numb and cold. Negligence and delay in operation resulted in complications. At least 15 surgical procedures were conducted on my leg but day by day it got worse. It began to rot. I got gangrene. It was time for the amputation. My right leg was cut above the knee,” explains Niklesh who feels blessed to have an understanding better-half.
Life after amputation was different. Earlier, running, jumping was a part of his life. Missing it Niklesh concludes, “I lost my leg, but not my will. I am alive, though not kicking and I accept this challenge. Being self-reliant and self-confident, I am fighting my disability gracefully. Ultimately, it all depends on our mindset. With strong willpower, the comeback is easy. I will create my own space in para sports, and a place in every heart, living true to my friends’ wishes who call me an Ironman.”
