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Cycling in Odisha lost an unsung hero as former international cyclist and eminent coach Susil Das passed away at the SCB Medical College & Hospita in Cuttack today. He was 60 and survived by wife Anjushree Das, son Sabyasachi Das and daughter Sushree Manisha Das. The mortal remains of Das were taken to his ancestral village Nayahat in Nimapara before it was consigned to the flames at Swargadwar in Puri.
Rourkela-based Das was unwell for a few months and received treatment at two hospitals in Bhubaneswar. Also the incumbent joint-secretary of Odisha Cycling Association, Das was shifted to SCB Medical where he breathed his last today at 10.45 AM.
A friendly and handsome man, Das spent most part of his life in Rourkela, where he rose to fame both as an international cyclist and a dedicated coach. He served at Rourkela Steel Plant for 39 years before retiring earlier this year.
A gifted athlete, Das excelled in long-distance cycling, winning three gold, four silver and five bronze medals in Junior and Senior National Championships between 1979 and 1989. He also represented India at the 1985 World Cycling Championship in Egypt, where he secured the 16th position among 1210 competitors from 82 countries.
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After hanging up his bike, Das took to coaching and shaped the careers of scores of national and international cyclists, including Swasti Singh and Dinesh Kumer, the most decorated cyclists of Odisha. His other National-level disciples include Rohit Hembram, Chinmay Jena, Ssaksad Patra, Mitanjali Nayak, Prava Soreng, Rita Padhy, Namita Patra, S Krita Ranjan and Pritesh Baskey.
Das made invaluable contributions for the promotion of cycling in Odisha. He also functioned as a vice-president of Odisha Cycling Association earlier, but administration was never his cup of tea. An open-hearted man, Das always chose to work with budding talents on the cycling track rather than the power-oriented governance of the sport.
Swasti, the best contribution of Das to Odisha cycling, was heart-broken when she came to know about the demise of her first coach. Paying an emotional tribute Swasti said, “I lost the person who shaped me into who I am now. My grassroots coach, my mentor, my guide, my second father — is no more. He taught me everything: loyalty to my sport, the value of hard work, determination, aggression, staying grounded, and above all, how to never give up.”
“I made so many mistakes, but he always showed me the right path with patience and belief. He never treated me just a student — he always called me his daughter. I have two daughters, he used to say proudly, “Gudiya (Manisha) and my Balungi (Swasti).”
“I will carry that name (Balungi) with pride forever. I can’t believe this day has come. I am heart-broken, but I promise to keep his teachings alive in everything I do,’’ said Swasti.
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TOP: File picture of Odisha cycling legend Susil Das.
RIGHT: Susil Das with his star student Swasti Singh.
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