Winner in sports, loser in life- Sports

Sayed M Ilahi
Mumbai, Aug 17: As a sportsman, he never gave up. But off the field, in the autumn of his life, Mr NK Mishra does not find the proposition of fighting till the end a heartening one.
Mr Mishra had made the state proud several times in the past by winning medals and trophies as a volleyball player. But since his retirement, the 64-year-old man has been running from pillar to post for his pension and nobody has bothered to help him. Ever a fighter on the field, he looks defeated and crestfallen as he starts for the secretariat every morning to await justice under a tree on the campus there.
Popularly known as Munna, Mr Mishra was famous for his powerful smashes in his prime. He won inter-varsity championships for Rajasthan and bagged national trophies in the ‘70s and ‘80s representing the state in the All India Secretariat test matches.
He also won the award for the best player and coach on several occasions. He was in charge of publicity campaigns for important events like the ‘82 Asiad and Asian Junior Chess Championship in the ‘90s as a public relation officer. Later, he wrote hundreds of articles on outstanding sports personalities.
But ironically, his contribution to the field of sports is preventing him from getting his rightful pension. He had worked for eleven years with the Rajasthan Sports Council as a coach and public relations assistant. After he retired in 2001 as joint director, public relations, the state government refused to count his years of service at the Sports Council as it is a state autonomous body, thus bringing down his years of service to 23 and drastically reducing the amount of pension due to him.
As per pension rules, a state employee is eligible for getting 50 per cent of his basic salary and dearness allowance on completion of 33 years of service. The deduction of 11 years from Mr Mishra’s services has left him eligible only for one-thirds of the pension he deserves. To Mr Mishra, the decision came as a rude shock. “These days the government provides flats, plots in canal areas and substantial cash awards to sports persons. I am demanding nothing more than my pension,” he said.
“This injustice and uncertainty is killing me. It is really hard supporting my family and making ends meet. I have to marry off two daughters. My wife is ill and I am on the verge of breaking down myself,” he said.
In spite of submitting several petitions to the state government, Mr Mishra is yet to get ant reprieve. “Rules do not permit taking into consideration services rendered to a state autonomous body,” said a senior government official.
But had Mr Mishra worked for a Central autonomous body, his previous service years would have been counted at the time of calculating his pension.
As per rules, the state government can use its discretion and make the services of an outstanding person “pensionable”. It has been done for a number of work charge employees, teachers and others. But in Mishra’s case, officials argue that it has been done for groups and not for an individual.
Mr Mishra has filed a writ petition in the Rajasthan High Court but he fears it will be a long and excruciating wait for him before he can even hope of getting justice. His only hope now is the opportunity given to senior citizens for a regular hearing.