Book Review : Akhada Biography of Mahavir Singh Phogat

Akhada is the authorized biography of Mahavir Singh Phogat, a former wrestler and a coach who has made India proud. The book, Akhada by Saurabh Duggal, traces Mahavir Phogat’s journey with his daughters and nieces hailing from a small village in Haryana to winning the medals for the country. Mahavir’s daughters, Babita and Geeta, has won medals at Olympics, World Wrestling Championship and Commonwealth Games.

The biography of Mahavir Singh Phogat captures and highlights how ambition can turn into success with hard work. The book, Akhada, throws light on the lesser known side of Mahavir Phogat i.e. a father. Everyone knows that Mahavir coached her daughters who eventually won medals for the country. But, not many know about the hardships and never-back-down attitude of Mahavir Singh Phogat. The book rewinds to days when he built a pit in his courtyard and started a difficult training journey with his daughters.

Being from a state infamous for female foeticide, taking daughters to a level of international fame and recognization is what his life is all about. Akhada, the authorized biography of Mahavir Phogat, is an inspiring read that proclaims impossible is nothing.

About the Author : Saurabh Duggal

Saurabh Duggal is a special correspondent for Hindustan Times, Chandigarh. His main area of interest is Olympic disciplines. He covered the 2010 Commonwealth Games and 2012 London Olympics for the newspaper. Saurabh’s debut book, Akhada: The Authorized Biography of Mahavir Singh Phogat, is released in 2016.

Saurabh has been selected for the prestigious Inclusive Media – UNDP Fellowship 2015 to study sports as a vehicle for social upliftment, economic change and women’s empowerment in rural Haryana.