Indore, Aug 28 (PTI) - Lieutenant Colonel Dwarkesh, a skilled marksman, encountered a life-altering challenge when he lost his vision in an accident several years ago. However, his resolve to succeed in sports endured, and he is now determined to clinch a gold medal for India at the upcoming World Cup for visually impaired shooters.
The 38-year-old Army officer, who goes by a single name, is a contender in the 10-meter air rifle shooting category. As the World Cup approaches, Dwarkesh, who is likely the only visually impaired officer currently serving in the Army, has been diligently honing his skills for the past year at the Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) in Mhow, a military cantonment situated roughly 25km from Indore.
In shooting competitions, he relies on an audio aiming device that helps him target his shots using sound. Speaking with PTI on Thursday, Dwarkesh shared that he had long aspired to become a soldier and simultaneously engage in sports.
"I had dreamt of joining the Army since childhood, and it became a reality in 2009. Even after enlisting, I maintained my connection with sports. After an accident led to the loss of my sight, I grappled with uncertainty about my future. However, in 2022, I discovered the existence of international competitions for visually impaired shooters. That's when I resolved to pursue this path," remarked the officer.
He pointed out that, while competitions for visually impaired shooters have been held globally for decades, national-level events in India initiated only a few years ago. Dwarkesh proudly highlighted his success in the last two national competitions, clinching gold in the '10-meter air rifle prone' category.
Emboldened by his achievements at the national level, he now aims for gold at the Parachuting World Cup for the visually impaired, scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in October-November. Besides shooting, Dwarkesh has excelled in various national-level swimming competitions and possesses an adventurous spirit.
In 2021, he was among eight determined individuals with disabilities who set a record by scaling the formidable Siachen Glacier, the world's highest battlefield, located in J&K with harsh conditions of temperatures below -55 degrees Celsius and frequent blizzards.
The officer revealed that he uses ChatGPT, a popular generative AI chatbot, to stay updated on the latest shooting techniques and strategies, all while maintaining a laser-sharp focus on his sporting aspirations.
Reflecting on his journey, Dwarkesh stated, "From my experiences, I have learned that hard work never fails. If you persistently pursue your path with diligence, you will ultimately reach your destination."
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