Father's Day: Girls are no less than boys was this father's message

On the special occasion of Father's Day, ETV Bharat presents you with a story of a father who fulfilled his dream through his daughters. Dronacharya awardee, Mahavir Singh Phogat dedicated his life to his daughters who have brought laurels for the country.

Chandigarh: As the world celebrates the role of fathers, we bring you this story of a man who demolished traditional attitudes towards girls and fulfilled his dream through his daughters. Dronacharya awardee Mahavir Singh Phogat dedicated his life to his daughters who brought laurels for the country.

Who is Mahavir Singh Phogat?

Phogat, a wrestler and senior Olympics coach, was born in the Bhiwani district of Haryana and hails from Balali in Charkhi Dadri district. He is married to Daya Shobha Kaur and has four daughters, Geeta, Babita, Ritu, and Sangita respectively. He also looks after his nieces Vinesh and Priyanka, children of his brother who was killed in a land dispute.

Mahavir Phogat with his star daughters

Society's conservative mindset didn't deter Mahavir

Phogat was not bogged down by the conservative views towards women in Haryana and decided to train his daughters to be wrestlers. It is said that his wife never wanted her daughters to wrestle, but he did not agree with this orthodox thinking. He provided training in wrestling to all the six Phogat sisters in Bhiwani district. Later, Geeta and Babita Phogat signed up with the Sports Authority of India Centre in Sonipat.

Phogat sisters lived up to Mahavir's expectations

Phogat sisters

Phogat's never give up thinking changed everything and his daughters did what no one could have ever imagined in their village. Babita and Vinesh Phogat won gold medals in various weight categories at the Commonwealth Games while Priyanka Phogat won the silver medal in the Asian Championship. Apart from this, Ritu is a national-level gold medalist and Sangeeta won medals at age-level international championships.

Mahavir: Man behind Phogat sisters' success

The Phogat sisters not only brought laurels for Haryana but also for the country. They sent the message to society that girls are no less than boys. It can be said that Mahavir Phogat was the key player behind the success of the Phogat sisters. He always took the extra step without thinking about society's mindset. He had dreamt of bringing a medal for the country, but his daughters fulfilled that dream. Today they are the pride of Haryana.