Mithlesh Kumar Singh ....The Man in the true sense.
“ When we are in problem, Mithlesh is an one man call center for us, ” expressed a friend of his. Call him on a freezing winter morning or on a hot summer afternoon he will be the first person
to reach you during emergency. Many people who have known him for long, says
with pride “If you have a friend like Mithlesh, you are among the fortunate
people of this world”.
Mithlesh
Born
in Padari, a remote village in the district of Mau, Mithlesh was a “Buffalo
Soldier” during his childhood. Till the age of 10 his only work and passion
was to take the family buffalos to the field. Things changed when his eldest
brother Brijesh Kr Singh, arrives home on leave. Over lunch Brijesh bhai asked
his brother, “Selection trails deba” (Will you be interested in attending volleyball selection trials for
Government Sports College). More than his interest in sports, it was the chance
of visiting Lucknow, which inspired him to say ‘yes’. The same evening they
boarded a train to Lucknow. There was no bus connectivity from his village to
Mau. They used to first catch a Tanga to go up to Ranipur and from there they wait for hours to get a bus for Mau.
Brijesh bhai with son Shivendra Vikram
At
the selection trials, the selectors were least interested in a boy who had
never touched a volleyball in his life. But, it was Ms Santosh Yadav, who
believed that this skinny boy could one day become an asset to the state.
During the 90’s Ms Yadav had the reputation of preparing the best volleyball
players of the state and Mithlesh was lucky enough to catch her attention.
Within a month Mithlesh joined the Gorukhpur Sports College.
For the next four years Mithlesh was either
sweating it out in the ground or was at the receiving end of Santos Ma’am danda. Mithlesh can’t recall the number
of times he had been whipped by Madam. But now he happily confess “Agar madam
nahi hoti tu hum kavi v player nahi bantay”.
It is at Gorukhpur he first met Anuvir Singh, who later went on to become
one of his best friend and critic. As the years went by their friendship became
eternal and the pair became popular across Uttar Pradesh. They both displayed ferocious
fighting spirit on the volleyball ground.
Anuvir was a setter and Mithlesh an attacker, which made a lethal combination
for the team.
With Anuvir
His
friend Anuvir was far more aggressive than him. Staying with Anuvir made him
become more inclined towards the game. When they were not playing, either they used
to discuss about Sunny Deol next release or talk about Uncle Ji. At the sports
hostel every alternate boy talk about Uncle Ji. Mithlesh had never met this
universal Uncle and he was surprised that irrespective of the boys being Jat or
Brahmin they have the same Uncle.
Finally,
there was a day when Uncle Ji was supposed to visit hostel. It was a special
day, when Mithlesh finally met Uncle ji. He was a former international
volleyball player and had a super pleasing personality. His name was Rameshwar
Dutt Sharma. Mithlesh become fascinated seeing the respect Uncle ji command
among the players and coaches. From the next day he too become a devotee of Mr
Sharma and started calling him Uncle ji. He developed a special liking for Shri
R D Sharma and started thinking, that one day he too would like to become like
Uncle ji.
With childhood idol Late R D Sharma
Next
came the years of triumph and jubilation. In 1997 for the first time Mithlesh
got an opportunity to represent the state team in the Sub-Junior Nationals at Haldia,
where UP team return backed with a Bronze medal. Unsatisfied with the 3rd
position Mithlesh started working harder along with his other team mates.
Getting selection in the UP was a tough task, leave aside winning a medal at
the nationals. But Mithlish was ever determined to become the National
Champion. His never say die attitude helped the team to emerge Champion at the
next edition of Sub- Junior Nationals at Chikbalapur in 1997. Mithlesh was
declared as the best player of the tournament.
For
a boy, who was happy taking Buffalo’s to the field becoming the best volleyball
player of the country in the Sub-Junior category was like a dream come true. It
was a big achievement for a boy from Mau. His brother who always wanted to be a
volleyball player was more than happy. Had it not for his decision to bring his
brother for selection trials 5 years ago, Mithlesh would still have remained in
the village. Two years later when Mithlesh was again declared the best player
at the Youth National in Nagaon (Assam), Volleyball fraternity of India took
notice of this upcoming talent.
Mithlesh
was slowly making a mark across the country with his sharp attacking technique
and aggressive playing style. This was the time he become close with Uncle ji,
who was then the coach of ONGC Volleyball team. In a senior level All India Invitation
Tournament at Shimla, when few of the ONGC players were on leave Mithlesh and
Anuvir got a break to play for the seasoned ONGC team. There for the first time
they got an opportunity to play alongside the great Y Subba Rao. The Shimla
tournament was a big exposer for him and both the youngsters played to their
heart content. This was the time when he succeeded in impressing the ONGC team
management with his superior back court spiking.
With love of his life Pooja and Prishu
As
the boy was growing up, he fell in love with Pooja. It was never a love at
first sight but a rare kind of love story. His girlfriend from Maharaj Ganj was
chosen by his brother. It so happened that Brijesh bhai while posted at Maharaj
Ganj developed a special friendship with Pooja’s father and like all Hindi
movies of those days, decided a matrimonial alliance. While Mithlesh was away
playing tournaments across the country their love story continued through
postal letters and long distance phone calls.
Indian
team came calling for Mithlesh in the year 2000, when he first attended a
Junior National camp at Kolkotta. Within a year he made it to the Indian Junior
team to participate in the Youth Asian Championship at Iran. His association
with the Indian team continued. In 2002 he represented the India Junior team at
tournaments in Egypt and Tunasia. From Bullock cart, Mithlesh finally reached
the aircraft. Back home in his village people would gather in huge number to
listen to the stories of International airport and Egyptians Pyramids.
Around
the same time in 2001 Mithlesh joined NE Railways at Gorukhpur at a basic pay
of Rs 3050/- . But he did not stayed for long as he finally got a job offer
from his dream company ONGC in 2002. At ONGC his dream run continued, when he
became the Senior National Champion at Chautala in the same year. It was a
dream comes true for him. At ONGC he made some of his best of friends. He
developed a special friendship with one of his senior from Assam which grew
stronger with passage of time.
With the Champion ONGC team
During
his initially days at ONGC he got to meet his childhood idol more frequently.
Within 3 years of joining ONGC Mithlesh brought his first car, it was a black
Maruti Alto. At ONGC he owned the heart of all the players for his ready nature
to help people. His house always had a steady flow of guest. He attended to all
with ease and never missed any practice session. His extraordinary fighting
spirit helped ONGC win numerous tournaments from the hills of Himachal Pradesh
to down south.
During
the years preceding his marriage to Pooja, their long distance phone calls
sometimes goes up to hours and once he had the record of paying close to Rs
25K mobile bill. It was the time when mobile operators used to charge huge fee for long
distance roaming calls and he was not fully aware of the rates. Finally their love story came to a happy ending in 2005
when they tied the knot.
Mithlesh
always had a liking towards politics. But his main motive is always towards
social welfare rather than power. He took active part in Gaon Panchayat
election and helped his father win the panchayats election in the year 2005.
This was the time he got an opportunity to build a rapport with the villagers.
The way Mithlesh mingles with the people irrespective of their cast and
religion, speaks volume about his amicable nature. The relationship which he
developed with the local people in 2005 are still strong which helped his Bhabi
win the Panchayat election in the year 2015.
Back
at Dehradun, he equally excelled in sports as well as studies. He did his MA and
then finally completed his MBA. His academic performance helped him in getting
merit promotion at ONGC. He became a class I officer in the No.1 Oil and Gas
Exploration Company of the country. Around the same time he also purchased a
house in Dehardun. In the new house Pooja gave Mithlesh the most precious gift of
his life. It was in October 2009, their sweetest prettiest little daughter Prishu
was born. It was the happiest day his life more than any number of best player
award put together.
Then
came the biggest shock of his life when his role model and idol R D Sharma
suddenly expired in 2011. That was the lowest phase of his life. Late R D
Sharma left behind his wife, three daughters and a son. Mithlesh like a trusted
lieutenant stayed behind the family during those though time and took best
possible care. He continued in the foot step of his Uncle Ji. Few years prior
to his death, Uncle ji started a Club at his home village in Pur Mafi and used
to organized Volleyball tournament. The young boys of Pur Mafi lost hope after
Sharma ji’s sudden demise but Mithlesh took the lead from the front and never
allowed Sharma ji’s dream to die down.
He
went all the way out to make sure that the Club founded by Sharma ji’s stay
united. He mobilized the young players and organized a tournament in name of
Late R D Sharma. Before the final match of the tournament was played, people
shed tears listing to Mithlesh speech. A boy from eastern Uttar Pradesh village
winning heart of a Western Uttar Pradesh village is un -doubtfully a remarkable
feat in a state like UP.
Mithlesh
received the second biggest shock of his life, when his elder brother Brijesh
bhai lost both his leg in a train accident. It was a time when he was
completely shattered feeling dejected and directionless. But, the spirit and
boldness with which Brijesh bhai
approached the setback infused confidence in Mithlesh. The family came together
during this rough phase and took all care of their elder brother, who always
stood as a strong pillar for the entire family.
With Bhabi and Bhaiya after wining the Panchayat election
Around
the same time Mithlesh took charge of the ONGC Volleyball team of the country.
The team was at its transition phase with few senior players retiring and new
players joining the team. Under the leadership of Mithlish, ONGC volleyball
team for the first time qualified to participate in the Asian Club
championship. For two consecutive years the team won the National League
Championship and also the PSPB Championship. Mithlesh finally relinquished his
duty as Games Coordinator of ONGC Volleyball team in the year 2015.
Now,
Mithlesh spend most of his time working for the people he respect the most. Like,
Late R D Sharma, he too has slowly became a messiah for the young sportsmen of
his state. No matter how busy he remains, one will always find him during their
difficult time. Some of the people who have left his side during his tough time
may regret later for losing a friend like Mithlesh. But for the fortunate few
who are still his friend, Mithlesh is an oasis in the desert.
We
at O’ Memories, wish you a very full filling life ahead.
