Former national-level boxers Sanjay Prasad and Goutam Tamang have done commendable work in starting a boxing school for underprivileged children of Kolkata.

The children of the slums in Kolkata who were idling away their time have now found an aim in life, thanks to the boxing school founded by former national level boxers Sanjay Prasad and Goutam Tamang. The kids are now training for over four hours a day - perfecting hooks, jabs, and parries.

A Ray Of Hope

Many of the underprivileged children are school dropouts. Their fathers are employed as sweepers, security guards, and roadside shop owners. Monica Mallick is one such child who was never good in studies and didn’t know what to make of her life. After attending the boxing school and training for two years, she is now very focused and has won many medals in tournaments. She also hopes to represent India in Boxing one day.

The Boxing School

Prasad and Tamang opened the Balaji Boxing Academy at Bhowanipore. Prasad decided to start the club when he saw kids in his neighbourhood wasting their life just chatting and getting into fights. He wanted them to move ahead in society and thought that there is no better way than boxing. He charges Rs 100 per month for each kid and funds their boxing gear. Currently, there are more than 120 children training at the centre.

Society should appreciate the efforts of exceptional people like Sanjay Prasad and Goutam Tamang who are drawing away the youth from drugs and petty crimes and giving them a direction in life.