Three deaf and dumb brothers prove that the human spirit has no limitations

Three deaf and dumb brothers, having taken part in around 450 meets, were part of the 'Beyond Belief' river expedition rowing all the way from Murshidabad to Kolkata, in the first such initiative in the world.

'The trio - Pinku, Subhankar and Dipankar Goldar - together fetched hundreds of medals in the over 450 international-national events. And please don't demean them as being physically challenged. They have been regulars since 2008,' Abhijit Dasgupta of Sukriti Foundation, the trigger behind the 'Beyond Belief' move, told PTI after 12 rowers were welcomed at the Man-o-War jetty here. (Read: Disability issues must be addressed on priority: Experts)

Asked what is his most cherished moment during swims, Pinku said through interpreter, 'When we reach the camp at the end of the day. They are the pride of their team mates and they are differently-abled in the sense no negative thoughts can bog them down,' Dasgupta said about the three playing in various possessions in Kolkata clubs as well. (Read: Differently-abled not disabled!)

'One of them was given marching orders by the referee for not responding to his words in a Kolkata league lower division match. Later on, when it emerged it was him who could neither speak nor listen, the referee said, 'Had there been rules I would have taken back my order,' Dasgupta recalled. 'Beyond Belief' - aimed at dispelling misgivings about the differently abled - strived to highlight they are more determined and resolute than the others as the hundreds kilometre-long river voyage along the Bhagirathi went on, Dasgupta said on behalf of Sukriti. (Read: How inclusive and accessible is our society?)

'This is the seventh edition of the 'Beyond Belief', he said.

Source: PTI

For more articles, visit our Diseases and Conditions Section. Health.India.com is now TheHealthSite.com. Follow the all-new site on Facebook and Twitter.