From Rehabilitation to the Commonwealth Podium
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 4 Aug: Great sporting achievements are seldom the result of individual effort alone. Behind every champion is a dedicated team of professionals who help transform adversity into success. Sardar Bhagwan Singh University (SBSU), Dehradun, celebrates one such inspiring story, where two of its distinguished alumni, Dr Harshvardhan Singh and Dr Aditi Thakur, made a significant contribution to the rehabilitation of Indian javelin thrower Yashvir Singh, who recently brought glory to the nation by winning the Bronze Medal at the Commonwealth Games.
Yashvir’s road to the podium was marked by determination and resilience. Following a serious injury, he underwent surgery and was ruled out of competition for nearly seven months. His recovery demanded not only expert medical care but also a carefully planned rehabilitation programme to restore his strength, mobility, confidence, and competitive form. As members of the rehabilitation team, Dr Harshvardhan Singh and Dr Aditi Thakur supported him throughout this challenging phase, helping him regain the confidence to return to international competition.
In his post-medal interview, Yashvir Singh publicly acknowledged their contribution with heartfelt gratitude:
“The surgery went well and my treatment was completed successfully. Dr Harshvardhan Singh and Dr Aditi Thakur are like God to me. They gave me the confidence that I would be able to throw the javelin again the way I always had. Today, I am here because of them. I owe them a lot.”
For Dr Harshvardhan Singh, the recognition was deeply moving.
“Our athlete, Yashvir Singh, won the Commonwealth Games Bronze Medal in the Javelin Throw. During his interview, he acknowledged Aditi and me for our contribution to his journey. It was a truly humbling and emotional moment for both of us. Moments like these remind us of the values and lessons we learned during our time at college. We remain grateful for the guidance and encouragement we received at SBSU.”
Dr Gaurav Deep Singh, President, Sardar Bhagwan Singh University, congratulated Yashvir Singh and the two physiotherapists, saying, “Winning a medal for the nation at the Commonwealth Games is a remarkable accomplishment and a source of immense national pride. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Shri Yashvir Singh on this outstanding achievement. Equally gratifying is his generous acknowledgement of the contribution made by our alumni, Dr Harshvardhan Singh and Dr Aditi Thakur, during his rehabilitation.
Their professional competence, dedication, and compassionate care reflect the high standards of education and training imparted at Sardar Bhagwan Singh University. This inspiring success story demonstrates how healthcare professionals can play a transformative role in helping athletes overcome adversity and realise their dreams. We are immensely proud of our alumni and wish them continued success in serving society and bringing further laurels to the nation and to their alma mater.”
Prof (Dr) J Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, Sardar Bhagwan Singh University, also congratulated the athlete and the two alumni, saying, “The inspiring comeback of Yashvir Singh and his success on the international stage exemplify the power of perseverance, scientific rehabilitation, and teamwork. We are delighted that our alumni, Dr Harshvardhan Singh and Dr Aditi Thakur, were among the rehabilitation professionals who contributed to this remarkable journey.
Their achievement reflects the quality of education, clinical training, and professional values that SBSU strives to instil in its students. We congratulate Yashvir Singh for bringing glory to the nation and commend our alumni for demonstrating excellence in physiotherapy and sports rehabilitation. They have made the entire SBSU fraternity proud.”
