#Great Spirits #People

Dhyan Chand

  • Born: August 29th, 1905.
  • Death: December 3rd, 1979.

Biography

About Dhyan Chand

Dhyan Chand is the one of the greatest legends of India. He was born in Allahabad. Dhyan Chand’s father worked in the British-Indian army. As his father was transferred often, the family also got to see many places, along with him. Finally Dhyan Chand’s family settled in Jhansi, Uttarakhand. During his childhood days, Dhyan Chand was not keen to play hockey. At the age of 16, he was selected to serve the Indian army and this was when his interest to play hockey as a serious game, began. In 1926, he was selected for the Indian team to tour New Zealand. He was one of the key players in the Indian hockey team, in the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics. He had a major role to play in here, where India won the gold model.

In 1928, India played 5 matches and won all of them. The team together scored 29 goals to win the gold medal. In the 1932, Los Angels Olympics, India played two matches, which they won. This match remains evergreen in the history of the game and in this match Dhyan Chand scored 14 goals and his brother Roop Singh scored 10. Together they scored 24 goals and USA scored just one goal. This is considered one of the greatest victories in hockey till date. In 1936, Dhyan Chand was the captain for the Indian hockey time. The Olympics was hosted Germany.

In this Berlin Olympics, India played 5 matches and won all the matches. In the final match between India and Germany, India won 8-1. Before the final match, the Germany President Hitler gave Dhyan Chand the offer to play for Germany, and promised him that he will be given the post of a colonel in the Germany army. However, Dhyan Chand refused the offer. At the age of 43, Dhyan Chand was the captain of the India team, for the tour of east Africa in 1947. In this series, he scored 61 goals in 21 matches.

Dhyan Chand scored 1000 goals in his career and he scored 400 goals in his international career.

Achievements and awards

Dhyan Chand’s great achievements are three gold medals in the three consecutive Olympic Games. Dhyan Chand’s birthday is celebrated as national sports day in India.

Moment of truth

At the age of 16, he was joined in the army, which is considered as the turning point in his life.

Last days

In 1956, he retired from the Indian army as a major. After that, the Indian government gave him the Padma Bhushan award. In his last days of his life he suffered from health problems. He suffered from cancer and because of financial problems he was treated as a normal patient in a government hospital. Finally, at the age of 74, on December 3rd 1979, he died in his home town Jhansi, Uttarakhand.

Let’s connect:

The government of India is in the process of taking a decision to award the prestigious Bharat Ratna, for the first time to a sports person, and that person may be Dhyan Chand. Let us come together and support this.

Dhyan Chand

Mother Teresa

Dhyan Chand

New RBI governor 2013

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *