'Thank you, my left foot! Next stop is Everest'

MUMBAI: Thirtysix-year-old Navi Mumbai resident, Vinod Rawat, lost his left leg at a tender age of six, in 1980, when a reckless truck ran over him. Today, however, Rawat ran like any other normal runner at the Mumbai Marathon event due to the prosthetic leg he has since 1996.
"Prior to 1996, I used to walk on crutches. But after receiving an artificial limb from All India Institute, Haji Ali, I have done whatever any normal person can do.And today I am running here only to thank the creators of Jaipur Foot,'' said Rawat, with a confident smile.
In the last nine years, Rawat has in fact regularly participated in half-marathons (21 km) held in Mumbai and Bangalore. But this year he was late to register in the half-marathon category, and so ran the Dream Run.
"The way technology has developed in the field of prosthetics, I can only express my gratitude in a small way by showing that not only can I walk, but also run,'' he said.
Rawat, who has earlier participated in various difficult treks, fort rappellings, and a cross-country motorcycle rally (Kolkata to Punjab) among other adventures, has now decided to train in mountaineering. "My next aim is to climb Mount Everest. I know that is tough, but so am I,'' he added matter of factly.
Currently working as a finance/insurance agent in a bank, Rawat said that he take part in sporting events not only for his satisfaction but also to inspire other disabled persons to lead a normal life. "For 16 years (1980 to 1996), I was totally dependent of crutches, which was not a good feeling. But, my outlook became positive after getting the special left foot. So I now wish to motivate others who may be going through a bad phase of any kind,'' said the gritty future mountaineer.