Major Dr. Surendra Poonia, VSM is an international award-winning sportsman, Limca book record holder, physician, former Special Forces officer of the Indian Army, founder of Soldierathon marathon,[1] Fit Bharat and a politician of Bharatiya Janata Party. He is the first Indian athlete with the rare distinction of having won medals in power-lifting and strength events in four consecutive world championships. He was born on 1 January 1977 in a farmer family in Sikar, Rajasthan. He is a graduate of the AFMC, Pune.[2]
 Major Surendra Poonia after winning Gold Medal in Power-lifting at Croatia | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Born | 1 January 1977 Rajpura (70 km from Sikar), Rajasthan, India |
| Alma mater | Armed Forces Medical College, Pune University of Pune Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya |
| Height | 172 cm (5 ft 8 in) |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  Republic of India |
| Service |  Indian Army |
| Years of service | 2001–2012 |
| Rank |  Major |
| Unit |  Para (Special Forces) |
| Battles / wars |
|
| Awards |  Param Vishisht Seva |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Bharatiya Janata Party |
| Occupation |
|
Career
editPoonia is an alumnus of the Armed Forces Medical College,[3] Pune (AFMC Pune) and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya(JNV), Patan, Sikar, Rajasthan. Currently, he is an active alumni in JNV Sikar.[4] He was commissioned into the Army Medical Corps in August 2001. He served with The President's Bodyguard[5] at Rashtrapati Bhawan, Special Forces and United Nation's peacekeeping mission in Democratic Republic of Congo.[6] Major Surendra Poonia joined the Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) on 23 March before 2019 Lok Sabha General election.[7] After joining the party, Poonia tweeted stating, "I have joined the Bharatiya Janata Party to serve the nation and our people. It is a great honour for me to support and stand with the idea of 'Nation First' against the idea of 'Family First' from party's platform which is led by the honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi."
Achievements
editMajor Surendra Poonia represented India in Croatia,[8] Spain, Ireland and Turkey[9] in 5 World Championships and won 27 medals including 10 Golds. He is the first Indian power-lifter to have won gold in four consecutive championships from 2010 to 2013. On 26 January 2012, he was felicitated by 'Vishisht Seva Medal'[10] by The Hon'ble President of Republic of India for his 'Distinguished Service of an Exceptional Order'[11] in the field of sports. He was also awarded 'Most Entertaining Sportsman of the year'-Male by Reliance Big FM in 2013. He is Limca book record holder of most international sports medals won by any Indian doctor.[citation needed]
References
edit- ^ "Soldierathon :A run in honour of our bravehearts". www.soldierathon.com. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
Soldierathon was an idea conceived by Major Dr Surendra Poonia,VSM in guidance of former President of India, the Late Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, who felt the need to create awareness towards the sacrifices made by our men in uniform and at the same time help the Martyr families/children and war wounded soldiers, who along with time are forgotten by the country at large. But unfortunately, Dr Kalam Sir didn't live through to see it happen and Major Poonia has taken it upon himself to make this dream a reality.
- ^ Team, Editorial (28 September 2017). "Motivational Story of Major Surendra Poonia - Special Forces Veteran". SSBToSuccess. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
- ^ "PBG man wins medals at the World Medical & Health Games". The Hindu. 21 July 2012.
- ^ "JNV Sikar Alumni - Members". jnvsikaralumni.org. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
- ^ "Bodyguard shows his mettle". The Indian Express. 17 July 2010. Retrieved 17 July 2010.
- ^ "For Dr Poonia, it's country above all". The Sunday Guardian. 6 October 2013. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
- ^ "Major Surendra Poonia joins BJP". Business Standard India. 23 March 2019.
- ^ "Love for nation spurs Poonia". Hindustan Times. 23 July 2010.
- ^ "Poonia to the fore". The Sunday Guardian. 2 September 2012.
- ^ "President Felicitates Maj Poonia for Winning Seven Medals". Outlook. 15 October 2012.
- ^ "President Felicitates Rashtrapati Bhavan Medical Officer Major Surendra Poonia for Winning Seven Medals at 33rd World Medical Games". PIB. 15 October 2012.
External links
edit- Surendra Poonia in JNV Sikar Alumni(1994 batch)
- Major Surendra Poonia's interview podcast