Talent has the power to get you to places, talent isn’t biased towards your living conditions, it doesn’t discriminate. All you have to do is respect your talent by practicing it to perfection and you’ll soar to heights.  

In a recent post by Humans Of Bombay, Devindar Walmiki– the Indian hockey player who has represented India in various international tournaments opened up about how he found his calling and nurtured his talent when his life looked bleak.

Here’s the story about a boy from the slums of Mumbai who made India proud by making it to the big leagues. 

Humans Of Bombay

In his inspiring story, he owed all the success that he’s achieved to the hardships and struggles he faced as a child. 

Sportskeeda

Devindar was raised by a father who worked as a driver and a  stay-at-home mother who took care of him and his sibling. His parents had migrated from a village to Mumbai in search of a better life. 

Humans Of Bombay

Dedicated to educate both her sons, Devindar’s mother had taken loans to pay their school fees. There were times when his family had to skip meals to repay those loans. 

Sometimes mom would add water to the dal, so that we had enough.

-Devindar Walmiki

The brothers would study under the street light because they didn’t have access to the basic amenities– electricity and clean water.

Humans Of Bombay

In the midst of all the personal struggles, Devindar saw a ray of hope when he witnessed his elder brother Yuvraj play Hockey. Devindar was in 9th grade and he just found his true calling. 

The Bridge

For him, when he was on the field, he didn’t think about where he came from or what his living conditions were. All that mattered was his talent and there was nothing that was holding him back from being good at his game. 

Wikipedia

His hard work paid off when he was selected to represent India in Burma for the Asian Cup with the under-18-team. He discovered his passion for playing when the tricolour was wrapped around his proud shoulders. 

Indian Hockey News

Before he went on to play in the Olympics, Devindar spent his savings to get his parents an electricity connection and a T.V. to ensure that they wouldn’t have to go to the local shops to see their son play. 

My matches would come on on TV, but my parents had to go to a neighbours house or a local shop to watch. So I’d decided that if I play for the Olympics, I’d get my parents an electricity connection & a huge TV — so that they can watch their son play, proudly. 

-Devindar Walmiki

The Bridge

Even though Devindar had a shoulder injury before the Rio Olympics, he put his heart and soul made into the game to make India proud. 

Flipboard.com

Today, Devindar plays for a European club and aims to win the next Olympics. He, along with his brother have managed to buy a bigger house for their parents. 

Mid-Day

The struggles of his childhood make for an inspiring story which proves that talent has the power to get you to places.

Read the full story here: 

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“My parents came from a village to Mumbai for a better life. My dad was a driver & mom stayed at home to take care of me & my brother. We rented a 10×10 house in the slum, but couldn’t afford clean water or electricity. Every night we had to light candles. My mom took loans to keep my brother & me in school & we’d study under streetlights. To pay the loans back, we’d have to skip meals. Sometimes mom would add water to the dal, so that we had enough. When I was in 9th grade, my brother had started playing Hockey in school. I’d no idea about the sport, but once, when I watched him play so well — it excited me! So I decided to step onto the field too. I practised everyday & while playing, I wasn’t worried about where I came from & my conditions — I was doing what I wanted to & nothing was stopping me from being good at it. Soon I even got selected for the under 18 national team! I represented India for the Asian cup in Burma — I remember standing in the stadium, with the Indian flag — it was exhilarating. I started playing for clubs to sustain financially & even played at the national level. My matches would come on on TV, but my parents had to go to a neighbours house or a local shop to watch. So I’d decided that if I play for the Olympics, I’d get my parents an electricity connection & a huge TV — so that they can watch their son play, proudly. When the 2016 Rio Olympics were announced, even though I had a shoulder injury — I was hell bent on making the team. I went for the tryouts, & soon got a call from the coach who said that I’d been selected & was going to Rio! I used my savings & bought my parents a T.V! When I reached Rio, every hardship & struggle seemed worth it. We played with all our vigour & even though we didn’t win — being there, representing my country, was a win in itself. Today I’m playing for a European club & aspire to win the next olympics! My brother & I even bought a bigger house for my parents! I’ve lived through some of the terrible low’s, but that’s the only reason why I’m here today. This little boy from the slums has finally made it to the big leagues — but I still have a long way to go & I’m not stopping anytime soon.”

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