Labhanshu Sharma is an Indian wrestler, world peace activist[1] and winner of gold medals in Asian International Games[2] and Indo Nepal International Wrestling Tournament[3] held in Sri Lanka and Nepal.[4] He also received the National Bravery Award from the prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, in 2015 after saving two individuals from drowning in river Ganga in Rishikesh.[5]
 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Labhanshu |
| Full name | Labhanshu Sharma |
| Nickname | Pahalwan Jee |
| Born | Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India |
| Education | Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports |
| Height | 185.5 cm (6 ft 1.0 in) (2021) |
| Weight | 97 kg (214 lb) (2021) |
| Sport | |
| Country | India |
Early life and career
editLabhanshu was born and raised in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand to a traditional family. He is the youngest child of Suresh Chand Sharma, a former wrestler of the Indian Army. Labhanshu started his wrestling career at the age of 14 by winning the "Nau Shera Dangal", a 150-year-old wrestling tradition that is organized every year in Delhi. He was the youngest wrestler to win the "Nau Shera Dangal".[6] In 2012 Labhanshu won the state-level wrestling championship in Uttarakhand. He won his first gold medal after competing in the National School Games of India.[7] He also won 7 gold medals at national-level matches. In 2016-17 he fought in the Asian International Games[8] and Indo Nepal International Wrestling Tournament,[9] where he won multiple gold medals under the category of 120 kg.[10]
For its 12th season, Indian television reality show "Bigg Boss" invited Labhanshu Sharma.[11]
In 2017, Labhanshu won a silver medal in the first KD Jadhav International Wrestling Tournament held in Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi.[12]
Anti Drug Campaign
editSharma is also running an anti-drug campaign for saving youth. In 2016, he was invited to participate in the World Youth Conference in Kuala Lumpur; his speech motivated many students to go against drug, alcohol, and tobacco abuse.[13]
OROP protest
editLabhanshu Sharma played a major role in implementing of One Rank, One Pension scheme for veteran Indian Army soldiers. He returned his bravery award and medal to the government in agitation to support ex-army personnel. He did 3 days fast strike at Jantar Mantar Delhi.[14]
World Record
editLabhanshu Sharma made it to the Unique World Records by pulling a 20-ton truck in the capital city of Georgia, Tbilisi, on 20 December 2017.[15][16]
World Peace Journey
editIn 2019, Trivendra Singh Rawat, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand flagged off to Labhanshu Sharma's "World Peace Journey". With the message of Love, Peace, and Happiness and the fight against terrorism, Labhanshu Sharma has traveled from Dehradun to London via 32 countries including India, Nepal, China, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, and 24 European countries and the United Kingdom.[17] This journey helped him in presenting the motto of Indian culture of "Vasudev Kutumbakam" to a considerably large number of people across the countries. The message of One World One Religion, Humanity, Peace, Love and Happiness and Fight against Terrorism was spread in the form of visual representations on his travel vehicle and also through Mementos.[18] The mission of his journey was to raise the voice against Terrorism and eliminating all kinds of Drug abuse by trying to fill the gaps between people-to-people communication across the countries. He shared the message of World Peace, Love, and Happiness by the visual representations on his traveling vehicle and also by sharing the pamphlets of our Mission to the people we met across the countries.[19]
He tried to make people aware of his stance on- Say No to Terrorism, World Peace Love and Happiness, Anti Drug Abuse, Vasudev Kutumbakam[20][21]
Delhi Riots 2020
editIn 2020, Labhanshu Sharma has been working extensively to promote religious harmony in Delhi. Delhi Riots in 2020, fueled by the fanatic sections of both Hindu and Muslim communities of Delhi in February 2020, disheartened him the most and it compelled him to get on the streets to promote love and compassion amidst the riot. He distributed sweets and daily essentials to riot-affected vicinities and brought the people of rival communities together and made them hug each other. Also, he emphasized the importance of having a liberal mindset towards others and their faith. He has been a social activist and being a national bravery awardee he feels that it is his duty to work towards the larger interest of society. He raises a voice against terrorism, drug abuse, and the rising religious extremism in the country. His social activities during Delhi Riots was recognized by Nepal Gandhi Peace Foundation and the organization bestowed him with an honorary doctorate in Gandhian Philosophy, Peace and Humanity.[22][23]
Bharat Kesari
editLabhanshu Sharma won the Bharat Kesari Wrestling Dangal 2021 organised in Tamil Nadu.[24] 20 years since the formation of Uttarakhand, Labhanshu has broken the drought and won the title of Bharat Kesari for the state.[25]
Awards and recognition
edit- National Bravery Award by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015[26]
- Uttarakhand Ratna.[27]
- Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Award by former president of India Pranab Mukherjee[28]
- Young Achiever Award
- National Youth Icon Award[29]
- Rashtriya Nirman Award
- Swami Vivekananda Award
- Maa Bharati Award[30]
References
edit- ^ "विश्वशांति के लिए 100 देशों की यात्रा करेंगे अंतरराष्ट्रीय पहलवान लाभांशु, देंगे भाईचारे का संदेश". Amar Ujala (in Hindi).
- ^ "पाकिस्तानी पहलवान को हरकार लाभांशु ने जीता स्वर्ण पदक". Dainik Jagran (in Hindi).
- ^ "ऋषिकेश के पहलवान लाभांशु ने भारत को दिलाया स्वर्ण पदक". Dainik Jagran (in Hindi).
- ^ "नेशनल यूथ गेम्स में लाभांशु ने जीता स्वर्ण". Dainik Jagran (in Hindi).
- ^ "17-year-old bravery award winner awaits recognition from state government - Times of India". The Times of India.
- ^ "जानिए कौन हैं भारत के आधुनिक शांति दूत 'पहलवानजी', जिन्होंने 32 देशों में फहराया तिरंगा और दुनिया को दिया शांति का संदेश?". Yuvapress (in Hindi).
- ^ "कुश्ती के सुल्तान बने लाभांशु". Amar Ujala (in Hindi).
- ^ "पाकिस्तानी पहलवान को हरकार लाभांशु ने जीता स्वर्ण पदक". Dainik Jagran (in Hindi).
- ^ "ऋषिकेश के पहलवान लाभांशु ने भारत को दिलाया स्वर्ण पदक". Dainik Jagran (in Hindi).
- ^ "पहलवान लाभांशु का नाम यूनिक वर्ल्ड रिकार्ड में दर्ज- Amarujala". Amar Ujala.
- ^ "'बिगबॉस सीजन 12' ने चर्चित पहलवान लाभांशु को बुलाया– News18 हिंदी". News18 India.
- ^ "Sangram Singh takes on Kevin Radford in KD Jadhav Kushti Championship - Times of India". The Times of India.
- ^ "देखिए कैसे, देश को नशा मुक्त बनाने में लगा है ये 'सुल्तान'- Amarujala". Amar Ujala.
- ^ Talwar, Gaurav (28 August 2015). "U'khand sportsman offers to return bravery medal for OROP - Times of India". The Times of India.
- ^ "पहलवान लाभांशु का नाम यूनिक वर्ल्ड रिकार्ड में दर्ज". Amar Ujala. 15 January 2018.
- ^ "पहलवान लाभांशु ने जॉर्जिया में खींचा 20 टन वजनी ट्रक". Dainik Jagran. 20 December 2017.
- ^ "रेसलर दे रहा विश्व शांति का संदेश, 32 देशों की यात्रा कर कहा- मिल रहा लोगों का प्यार". Jagran. 10 November 2019.
- ^ "100 Nations. 3 Months. 1 Message. See Labhanshu Sharma's Incredible Journey For World Peace!". Travel Triangle. 2 August 2019.
- ^ "Wrestler Labhanshu Sharma, 20 others travel to London by bus for world peace". The New Indian Express. 28 September 2020.
- ^ "विश्व शांति यात्रा को मुख्यमंत्री ने किया रवाना". Dainik Jagran (in Hindi).
- ^ "ऋषिकेश निवासी लाभांशु शर्मा की विश्व शान्ति यात्रा को मुख्यमंत्री ने दिखाई हरी झंडी". Uttarakhand Post. 2 August 2019.
- ^ "Wrestler Labhanshu Sharma gets honorary doctorate from Nepal Gandhi Peace Foundation". Jansatta (in Hindi).
- ^ "लाभांशु ने दिल्ली दंगों में साम्प्रदायिक सद्भाव बढ़ाने के लिए किया था अहम काम, नेपाल ने किया सलाम". Zee News. 17 April 2021.
- ^ "Labhanshu Sharma wins Bharat Kesari Wrestling Dangal for Uttrakhand". theprint.in.
- ^ "लाभांशु ने कुश्ती में जीता भारत केसरी का खिताब". jagran.in.
- ^ "PM presents the National Awards for Bravery 2014". Narendramodi.in.
- ^ "ऋषिकेश के लाभांशु को मिला उत्तराखंड रत्न". Dainik Jagran (in Hindi).
- ^ "बहादुर लाभांशु को मिला डॉ. कलाम अवार्ड". Dainik Jagran (in Hindi).
- ^ "उत्कृष्ट कार्यो के लिए यूथ आइकॉन अवार्ड". Dainik Jagran (in Hindi).
- ^ "बहादुर लाभांशु को मिलेगा डॉ. कलाम अवार्ड". Dainik Jagran (in Hindi).