Reading the story of Bhagwani Devi Dagar, a 95-year-old athlete from Delhi, who won three gold medals at the recently concluded 9th World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships held in Torun, Poland, left me inspired. Hers is a story of resilience, determination and optimism.

Married off at the age of 12, she lost her husband at age 30 when she was pregnant with her second child. Losing her daughter four years later, she worked for long hours in the agricultural fields to ensure she was self-sufficient to fund her son’s education and meet all other needs.

Vikas her grandson, a para-athlete and a Khel Ratna awardee recalls how she could not contain her excitement while discussing the games she played, and adds that she used to be mesmerised by the medals he brought back home. “I could see in her eyes that she desired to play and win medals”. She found the zeal to train when she was over 90 and went on to win 3 medals at the World Championship.

Zest for life does not come from comfort, increasing our possessions, and increased popularity. Of course, we must do well and give ourselves a good quality of life. But comfort, possessions, and popularity, enjoyable as they are, lose their shine and charm after a while because they are all external and transient. Our zeal is to be found within, the small but strong flame that lights us even in the darkest hour.

We often see many around us living with this zest, we know it exists and often wonder how it can constantly enthuse and energise us as well. Sometimes we get the feeling that we experience it in spurts but don’t know how to constantly live in that spirit.

When we truly start believing that we have the ability to overcome our limitations, we live with enthusiasm. When we find a purpose beyond our limited ego, and live with abundance, giving our best in everything we do every day, we live with zeal. When we allow our love for life to shine through our challenges in life, we find that eternal zest in us.

If we ever find ourselves feeling low, complaining that age is catching up fast, and finding the burden of life heavy, we just need to remind ourselves of the young 95-year-old who won three gold medals for her country and lived her life with zest.

(Picture – Bhagwani Devi, fondly known as ‘Sprinter Dadi’ )