Brave Hearts

"The Brave Hearts" by Kumarpal Desai, published by Eye Care Foundation, is a collection of inspiring stories about individuals who have overcome significant physical challenges to achieve remarkable success, particularly in the realm of sports. The book aims to awaken society to the potential of physically challenged individuals and highlight their inherent capabilities, encouraging them to live with dignity rather than helplessness.

The preface by Kumarpal Desai emphasizes that life does not mold the victor, but the victor molds life. He points out that physically challenged individuals, despite societal neglect, possess immense capabilities. The book challenges the notion that only the physically strong can succeed in sports, showcasing individuals who have excelled through sheer determination, perseverance, and struggle. It notes that over ten percent of the world's population suffers from some form of physical disability, with millions in India alone. The book highlights that these individuals are not helpless but an active segment of society. The success stories are based on personal interviews and include achievements from various countries.

The book includes a foreword by Vijay Merchant, a renowned Indian cricketer who championed the cause of the differently-abled. Merchant argues that "handicapped" are not those with physical limitations but those who "will not see, understand and appreciate the great fight that these people put up." He praises Desai's book for raising societal awareness. Mota, a spiritual preceptor, also contributes an inspirational piece, highlighting how the book showcases the valor and willpower of the physically challenged, proving that with determination, nothing is impossible.

The "Contents" section reveals a diverse range of inspiring narratives:

• Differently Abled But Not Disabled: Stories of individuals like Walter Davis, who overcame polio to become an Olympic high jump champion, and Bhupesh Modi, who conquered mountains despite deformed legs.
• Loss of Sight, A Lot of Insight: Features the extraordinary feat of seven blind men climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, demonstrating that vision is not essential for achieving great heights.
• Courage Personified: Recounts the journey of Mansur Ali Khan (Pataudi), who became a celebrated one-eyed cricket captain after a severe eye injury.
• Daredevil Terry Fox: Details the story of Terry Fox, who ran across Canada with an artificial leg to raise funds for cancer research, ultimately succumbing to the disease.
• The Heart of A Champion: Highlights Doris Hart's triumph over a paralyzed leg to win three Wimbledon titles in a single day.
• The Champion of Champions: Focuses on Al Oerter, who won three consecutive Olympic gold medals in discus throw despite debilitating injuries.
• The Bravest of The Brave: Features Yogesh Gandhi, who, paralyzed by polio, became an accomplished table-tennis player.
• Triumph Over Mind: Tells the story of Glen Cunningham, who lost fingers on his foot to an accident but became the fastest runner in the USA and an accomplished academic.
• Let Everest Beckons: Chronicles the comeback of Soviet high-jumper Valery Brumel after a severe leg injury and amputation.
• Sweet Are The Uses of Adversity: Details the journey of E. Pitambaran Pavitran, a war-disabled soldier who became a cycling champion and a paratrooper.
• The Brave Olympian: Presents the achievements of Bob Mathias, who won two consecutive Olympic gold medals in the decathlon despite a childhood of illness and weakness.
• The Crippled Who Ran The Fastest: Recounts the inspiring story of Wilma Rudolph, who overcame polio to become a triple Olympic gold medalist in track and field.
• A Man of Grit And Determination: Celebrates Bhagwat Chandrashekhar, an Indian cricketer who became a renowned spin bowler despite a paralyzed right hand.
• The Fighter Par Excellence: Highlights the story of Murlikant Pethkar, a soldier who lost both legs but became a Commonwealth gold medalist swimmer and a symbol of human strength.
• The Swimmer Who Challenged Fate: Features Taranath Shenoy, a deaf, dumb, and partially blind swimmer who conquered the English Channel.
• The Dauntless Nari Contractor: Tells the story of Nari Contractor, an Indian cricket captain who returned to the game after a severe head injury that caused temporary paralysis.
• The Palmless Wrestler: Showcases Padmaraj, who, born without palms, became a skilled wrestler and a rescuer.
• The Polio-stricken Swimmer: Recounts Shelley Mann's journey from being crippled by polio to becoming an Olympic swimming champion.
• Strong Mind, Unflinching Spirit: Features Chandulal Bhati, who lost both palms in a bomb blast but became a successful runner, mountaineer, and government servant.
• A Marksman Extraordinary: Tells the story of Karoly Takacs, a Hungarian marksman who won two Olympic gold medals with his left hand after his right hand was amputated.
• A Runner Who Knew No Hurdles: Highlights Murray Halberg, who lost a hand in rugby but became an Olympic gold medalist in long-distance running.
• The Incredible Hammer-Thrower: Features Harold Connolly, who overcame thirteen childhood fractures in his left arm to win an Olympic gold medal in hammer throw.
• The Legless Wonder: Recounts the story of Charles Zimi, who, despite having no legs, became an expert long-distance swimmer.
• An Incurable Optimist: Presents the journey of cricketer Allen Melville, who overcame multiple serious injuries and debilitating back pain to achieve success.
• The Sightless Wrestler: Details the remarkable achievements of Edward Broadley, a blind wrestler who excelled through sheer determination and unique strategies.
• Never Say Die: Shares the story of Lou Gehrig, a baseball player who played for fourteen years with numerous injuries, setting an unbreakable record for consecutive games.
• A Fighter All The Way: Highlights Bill Nieder, who, after a severe knee injury, defied doctors' predictions to win an Olympic gold medal in shot put.
• Where There Is a Will, There Is A Way: Features Azim Hafeez, a Pakistani cricketer with a physical deformity (missing fingers, shorter hand), who became a successful bowler and batsman.
• Bent But Not Broken: Tells the story of Charlie Boswell, who lost his eyesight due to war injuries but became a world champion golfer for the disabled.

The book's author, Kumarpal Desai, is a prolific writer known for inspirational, spiritual, and value-enriched literature. His work has received national and international recognition, and "The Brave Hearts" (originally "Apang na Ojas") has been highly acclaimed, with multiple editions in Gujarati and Hindi, a Braille version, and a CD. The book's message is clear: adversity can be overcome through determination, courage, and an unwavering spirit.