You made your country proud and this is the way you are treated.

This is shocking to the core!

Regarded as one of the pioneers of winter sports in India, Shiva Keshavan is on the brink of quitting luge.

The five-time Olympian, said that the Sports Ministry has ignored his financial plight.

Who is Shiva Keshavan? I am sure how other sports are ignored in india, some of us might not be aware who Shiva is.

Well Back in 1998, a 16-year old Shiva Keshavan became India’s first ever winter Olympian at a time when the country didn’t even know about luge’s existence.

Since then he travelled across the world and went on to compete against the best with little or no infrastructure available back home.

This tweet by Shiva makes me wonder how badly other sportsmen are treated in our country.

No funds to train as our apathic govt refuses to do its job. I need support to continue representing our country. http://t.co/I5F2z7rcZE RT

— Shiva Keshavan, OLY (@100thofasec) August 8, 2015

Imagine this was the sport he has grown up pursuing and now his career is at stake.

He is contemplating quitting the sport just because of lack of funds.

Even after so much of outrage and social media campaign looks like sports ministry doesn’t really bother. As they have decided to pay 1/10 of the expense of Shiva and what about remaining funds?

@DilipBopanna @Miqbalkhan @narendramodi Sports Ministry said they will pay 1/10th expenses, i'm not rich to pay for the rest myself.

— Shiva Keshavan, OLY (@100thofasec) August 24, 2015

But then thanks to social media sites, Shiva has been getting support of people.

Ministry 2 pay 1/10th of my expenses representing India. Thank You https://t.co/RPBEKTRSzO @Media_SAI @YASMinistry Looking 4 remaining funds

— Shiva Keshavan, OLY (@100thofasec) August 22, 2015

And honestly this is an example how strong social media is, if used in a right manner.

Looking at some of the support pouring in for Shiva, it actually made me proud and honestly it makes us believe we still have hearts that we can feel for people.

Read on to know how Twitterati and others are trying their best to be heard and give Shiva what he deserves.

Only if sports ministry had noticed his plight!

Please help @100thofasec connect with potential sponsors who can help Shiva not quit !! Pls RT pic.twitter.com/UeiqC5iGtg

— Sangry (@Sangrywords) August 9, 2015

If you know of any potential sponsor, please help Shiva not to quit.

Also actor Iqbal Khan, who was last seen on Colors show Khatron Ke Khiladi came out in support of Shiva and tweeted this.

Shiva keshavan who represents india in winter Olympics needs govt support.@narendramodi pls don't let him quit the sport.

— Iqbal Khan (@Miqbalkhan) August 24, 2015

Since Iqbal Khan tweeted, even his fans are leaving no stones unturned in making Shiva’s voice heard.

And support is since pouring in for the talented lad.

@DilipBopanna @Miqbalkhan @narendramodi indian people need talent,So dnt worry @100thofasec v r here to support deserved one & mst talntd u

— Kulsum Mehreen (@KulsumMehreen) August 24, 2015

These Twitterati are requesting all the news channel and everyone to help Shiva, and this morning I got a message from someone online asking me If I can help the cause?

I was deeply touched because honestly when this person messaged me that she needs my help, I just thought, she might be requesting me to interview some celeb. But I was wrong. This girl requested me to help Shiva in any way.

So here I am using my power of writing. And also you all can help. I just want all of you to share about Shiva and help him in any way you can.

Look how these people who never knew who Shiva was, are trying their best to help him. If they can help, then why not us?

https://twitter.com/Raman29D/status/636038678557626368

And this makes me wonder how many Shiva’s have already quit sports because they can’t fund themselves?

This isn’t just Shiva’s story, but all those sportspersons who have been ignored by sports ministry.

Is there no place for talent?

Why only we are proud Indian when they win medals? Why do we turn blind to their plight?

Here’s my grand salute to Shiva for fighting, to Iqbal Khan and all others who have come out to support and all the fans and Twitterati who are spreading and asking people to help Shiva.

More power to you all!

Together, we all can make a difference.

I did my bit, so what are you waiting for?

Are you ready to help someone who made all of us proud?

Leave your comments and tell us how we can help Shiva and all other sportspersons ignored by our sports ministry.

It’s time to give these people what they deserve!

The post Shocking How Winter Olympian Shiva Keshavan Is Forced To Quit Luge! appeared first on Youngisthan.in.

On the eve of India’s 68th Independence Day, the nation has seen heroes being formed right from the world of sports to politics and business.

Even though, the ‘big names’ have dominated the headlines for over a large periods of time, it’s time the understudy got recognition as well. We are trying to highlight the sportsmen and sportswomen who have struggled throughout their careers and still continue to fight but under the cosh.

These sports personalities might NOT have the financial backing but still proudly wear the tricolour on their sleeves:

Shiva Keshavan (Luger)
The Manali-born Shiva Keshavan is India’s only representative in the much anticipated Winter Olympics. Keshavan has been plying his trade in the Luge category, making his debut in the Olympic Games at Negano, Japan as a 16-year-old. Not only this, he is also the first Indian and the youngest-ever to take part in luge in Winter Olympics. Even though having Italian descent (mother is Italian), Shiva was offered to represent Italy but chose the country of his birth.

Oinam Bembem Devi (Football)
Football in India is given very little importance especially with the dominance of cricket around but that didn’t stop Oinam Bembem Devi from adapting it. At a tender age of 15, Oinam did what others couldn’t, as she made her international debut for India’s women’s football team in 1995. She has gone to represent the national side thrice in 2003, 2010 and 2012 as the captain and hopes to be a coach after retirement. Midfielder by trade, Oinam is the first woman from Manipur to have bagged the title of ‘Best Footballer’ (2). Not only this, she also won the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for the year 2001 and 2013.

Ankita Raina (Tennis)
Currently ranked 262 in the world, Indian tennis sensation Ankita Raina is the next superstar in the making. With the likes of Sania Mirza and Leander Paes as idols, Raina has been in the forefront of Indian tennis for a while. Not only this, Ankita has been receiving help from the current PM Narendra Modi as far as financial help is concerned.

Anirban Lahiri (Golf)
Golf in India might be recognised through the likes of Jeev Milkha Singh and Arjun Atwal, but here come the future. Anirban Lahiri is today’s India’s brightest hopes on the world stage and is already rubbing shoulders alongside Tiger Woods. Even though he is ranked 86th in the world, the third-highest ranked Asian on the list, Lahiri still hopes to take this sport ahead especially in India and dreams of winning a gold at the Olympics especially after golf was included.

The above sport persons might not appear in the advertisements and in your magazine front-covers but their pride lies in taking this country ahead in the respective field of sports and most importantly, unfurl the tricolour and say ‘Jai Hind’!

The post #HappyIndependenceDay: These Unsung Heroes Of Sports Have Also Made India Proud appeared first on Youngisthan.in.