While India’s renowned boxer Vijender Singh is gearing up for to take up professional boxing, there is a former pugilist named Krishna Raut who is working in the Howrah Municipal Corporation in Kolkata as a sweeper. While he sprays disinfectants in the open drains of the city, he is passionate about boxing.

The 43-year-old Krishna was an ace pugilist a few years back and even won several awards at the state and national level competitions. However, he now sweeps the streets and clean the drains. According to report published in the Mail Today, Krishna trains underprivileged students in the evening from 5 pm to 7 pm so that they can become boxing champions.

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Krishna Raut, who won the Gold Medal in All-India Invitational Boxing Championship (the Surya Sen Trophy) in 1987 and the runnerup trophy in 1992, earns Rs 232 per day as a temporary worker in the Howrah Municipal Corporation.

National Level Boxer Krishna Raut’s Passion:

Around 150 students train with Krishna, who shows them the intricate moves that are necessary to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee in the boxing ring. And all this training costs the kids only dedication and focus. Krishna doesnt mind training his protégés for free.

Krishna told ” I always wanted to be a boxer but I lost my father when I was just 10. I had to give up studies and take care of my family. Now when I see a young boxer who shows promise and wants to learn the nuances of the sport, I feel the urge to train him.”Life is a daily battle for Krishna and his family.

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Pugilists passion ” It is difficult for me to arrange a square meal for my family. But whatever I can manage, I do for them,”Krishna asserted, adding that he is determined to continue his mission. ” I want to train talented students who dont have the money. I want to contribute to boxing in whatever way I can,”he added.

A two-time district champion in boxing, Krishna is a local icon:

“Krishna chacha is a hero. He trains the local boys free of cost. We just give Rs 200 per year to the Howrah District Boxing Association with which they buy gloves, punching bags and sandbags for our practice sessions,” said Srikant Raut, who participated in various national and international boxing championships but had to hang up his gloves owing to poverty and unemployment.

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Mail Today took up the issue of these talented boxers with West Bengal minister Arup Roy, who is also a legislator from Howrah. “I did not know that Krishna is a temporary employee. I will definitely recommend his case to the Howrah Municipal Corporation authorities,” Roy told Mail Today.