Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Athlete to the fore

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD Oct. 11. For many the Governor, Surjit Singh Barnala, is known as a veteran politician. But very few know that he was an athlete who won several prizes in brisk walking contests in his younger days.

"I was a fast walker by habit and I won several prizes in brisk walking competitions in the 10 km, 15 km and 20 km categories," the Governor said.

Mr. Barnala, who participated as chief guest at the inaugural of the 2nd annual conference of the Indian Arthroscopy Society here on Saturday, went down the memory lane and recalled as to how he continued walking when he was young. But it was after entering politics that the practice came down and it was completely stopped after the Emergency. "After I left the habit, I started feeling pain in my right knee from the last four years," he said.

He underwent several treatments, but the pain continued to increase. It was only after he was referred to arthroscopy that, Mr. Barnala said, he was feeling totally painless. "The surgery was done in the morning and I was discharged by the evening. I feel almost relieved after undergoing the arthroscopic surgery," he said.

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