Why is KD Jadhav's Olympic bronze medal up for auction?
Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav's Olympic bronze medal, independent India's first ever individual Olympic medal, has been put up for auction by the late wrestler's family. Reportedly the family resorted to this step in order to raise funds for building a wrestling academy in Satara, named after the Olympian. KD Jadhav's son said that it was his father's dream to set up a world-class wrestling academy.
Maharashtra state government's failure to keep its promise
According KD Jadhav's son Ranjit Jadhav, Maharashtra sports minister, in 2009, announced plans to set up national-level wrestling academy. In 2013, an amount of Rs 1.58 crore was sanctioned for this purpose but the project failed to move ahead. Ranjit Jadhav said that the decision to auction was painful but they were left with no choice as the government has reneged on its promise.
Jadhav's family threatens with an ultimatum
Ranjit Jadhav said that an ultimatum has been given to the Maharashtra government and if the government doesn't act on it till 14 Aug, the family and villagers of Goleshwar will go on hunger strike.
KD Jadhav's achievements
Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav made history when he won the first individual Olympic medal for India at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland. Jadhav won a bronze in the freestyle wrestling category. Jadhav died in 1984 and was honoured with Arjuna award 16 years after his passing. Ironically, he is the only Olympic medallist to not been felicitated with Padma award.
The second individual Olympic medal came in 1996
KD Jadhav's Olympic feat cannot be highlighted enough as after his bronze in 1952, India had to wait for 44 long years for the second individual medal. It was won at the 1996 games by Leander Paes (bronze).
