Shankar Lakshman: Difference between revisions

Coached by Sardar Harbail Singh, and managed by [[Om Prakash Mehra|Air Commander O.P. Mehra]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/hockey/revisiting-india-hockeys-record-breaking-run-at-1956-olympics-its-diamond-jubilee|title=Revisiting India hockey's record-breaking run at the 1956 Olympics on its diamond jubilee|date=15 June 2016|website=www.sportskeeda.com}}</ref> India looked poised for another Gold Medal. The team's captain [[Balbir Singh Sr.]] had suffered a fracture in his favoured right hand during the tournament, but the then 2-time Olympic gold medallist set an example by playing through the pain barrier and in the process, notched up his 3rd gold and India's only medal at the 1956 Olympics at the iconic [[Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)]]. The finals was setup between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, where Shankar kept goal, the only goal came from [[Randhir Singh Gentle]], to beat Pakistan 1–0 and India claimed its 6th consecutive Gold in Field Hockey, while Lakshman was praised for his great saves, against Pakistan's forwards.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/hockey/1956-olympics-india-pips-pakistan-to-win-gold/article3627897.ece|title=1956 Olympics: India pips Pakistan to win gold|newspaper=The Hindu|date=11 July 2012|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref>

After his retirement from hockey, Lakshman served in the Army, and retired in 1979 as an honorary Captain in the Maratha Light Infantry.<ref name="auto1"/> Towards the end Laxman lived in neediness, he was diagnosed with [[gangrene]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.biographies.net/people//en/shankar_lakshman|title=Biography of Shankar Lakshman}}</ref> Doctors suggested amputation, but Lakshman preferred [[Naturopathy|naturopathic remedies]] suggested by his friend, the hockey authorities did not pay any heed to his plea for help and were left on his own.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.todayindya.com/article/sports/forgotten-hero-s-series-shankar-laxman-first-goalkeeper-to-become-captain-of-an-international-hockey-team/5851|title=Forgotten Hero's Series: Shankar Laxman,first goalkeeper to become captain of an international hockey team, Sports : Today Indya|website=www.todayindya.com}}</ref> The Madhya Pradesh government, offered assistance to Lakshman £300, towards his treatment which was considered more to be mortification than help, while Lakshman's grandson condemned what he saw as the lack of interest of the [[Indian Hockey Federation]]. Lakshman passed away on 29 April 2006, after his battle with Gangrene. Laxman was cremated at Mhow with full military honours.<ref name="auto2"/>