Raja, physically-challenged body builder, has not allowed financial hurdles to keep him from following his dreams, says Vaishali R. Venkat.

“Winning Rs. 25,000 in a contest does not help me financially as I would have borrowed at least Rs.40,000 to meet the expenses of taking part in the event. That is how my debts have accumulated over the years,” says body builder Raja, his muscles bulging beneath a half-sleeved shirt.

The ‘Steel Man of Tamil Nadu’ title in the physically-challenged category (90 kg) is the latest title in his kitty.

Raja is happy but not excited. The various titles and awards have not helped him lead a comfortable life.

The 28-year-old school dropout from Kasimedu is a carpenter who was affected by polio in his childhood.

Disability and poverty have not kept him from following his dreams as a body builder.

“I will not give up on my dreams. I want to participate in the Olympics and Asian Games,” says Raja, who has plans to participate in three contests next month.

In Raja’s humble home are displayed trophies and medals he has won over the last 10 years.

He has won 10 titles at the national level, four at the south India level and the Mr. Tamil Nadu title several times.

But he has not been lucky enough to find a job.

“I can work as a coach at a gym or for body building aspirants or as a trainer for athletes,” says Raja who earns his livelihood repairing fishing boats.

It is only during the 45-day fishing ban that boat owners undertake repair works.

“My earnings are meagre as I find work only 10 days in a month,” he says.

He could be in competitive body building due to support from his friends — which include John, Sankar Ganesh, Velu and Royapuram R. Mano — gym-coach Annamalai and M. Karthikeyan, mariner and chairman of SAMS College of Engineering & Technology.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Down Town / by Vaishali R. Venkat / February 21st, 2015