Udupi, 12 Aug 2016: Manipal University has a bit of presence at the Rio Olympics. Two physiotherapists, products of School of Health Sciences, Manipal are at the Games officially. While Kiran C is with the badminton team, appointed by the Badminton Federation of India, Digpal Ranawat Takhatsingh was the personal physio of Abhinav Bindra.
‘It’s a matter of pride and honor to be working with Abhinav,’ who was the flag bearer for the Indian contingent at the opening ceremony of Rio Olympic Games. It was an experience of my life time,’ said Digpal in his FB post. Vice Chancellor, Dr H Vinod Bhat congratulated them for the recognition they have received so early in their careers. ‘Manipal University is proud of them,’ he said. ‘It speaks volumes about the kind of education we impart here,’ he added.
A visibly happy Dean of School of Allied Health Science, Dr Rajashekhar said that he was extremely happy to see his students do well and that too in international arena like the Olympic Games. ‘We take great care to ensure our students get the best training so they can handle any situation,’ he said. ‘The students were talented and we gave them a proper grounding,’ the Dean added.
Their teacher, Dr G Arun Maiya, is equally happy. ‘I am extremely happy that our alumni, Kiran C, and Digpal Ranawat physiotherapist for the Indian badminton team and Abhinav Bindra respectively are at the Rio Olympics 2016. It’s mater of great pride for department, institution and University. As a teacher for both of them, I am very happy that they have made a mark for themselves so soon in their careers,’ he said.
Another alumnus Prachi Shah was a trifle unlucky not to make it to Rio. She was the Sports Authority of India physio for the Indian senior taekwondo, men and women, teams and senior and junior sepak tekraw teams, also men and women, which participated in the South Asian game in Guwahati and Shillong earlier this year.