Kolkata:
Dasharath Singh, 18 years old, has boarded a plane for the first time. To Germany. To train with Bayern Munich.
This makes him something of a legend in his village in Lalgarh - the area in West Bengal's West Midnapore district that's considered the epicenter of the war between the state and Maoists. Children like Dasharath are used to dodging landmines as skillfully as they dribble a ball. After all, the beautiful game is a Bengal obsession.
"I am very happy and proud," says Dasharath, who is the goalkeeper for his school team.
The unlikely sponsors for his foreign coaching camp are the West Bengal Police. Their goal: to build bridges with the local population, which has long looked at security forces with suspicion and fear.
Dasharath is one of two footballers who topped a tournament at Lalgarh last month held by the police.
Eight teams had come for the tournament. We had announced special prizes for the three top players. Two would go to Germany and the 3rd ranked player would get money to cover his education for a whole year.," says Manoj Verma, Superintendent of Police, West Midnapore.
Another Lalgarh boy will go to Munich next month. But Dasharath will always have the satisfaction that he got there first.
This makes him something of a legend in his village in Lalgarh - the area in West Bengal's West Midnapore district that's considered the epicenter of the war between the state and Maoists. Children like Dasharath are used to dodging landmines as skillfully as they dribble a ball. After all, the beautiful game is a Bengal obsession.
"I am very happy and proud," says Dasharath, who is the goalkeeper for his school team.
The unlikely sponsors for his foreign coaching camp are the West Bengal Police. Their goal: to build bridges with the local population, which has long looked at security forces with suspicion and fear.
Dasharath is one of two footballers who topped a tournament at Lalgarh last month held by the police.
Eight teams had come for the tournament. We had announced special prizes for the three top players. Two would go to Germany and the 3rd ranked player would get money to cover his education for a whole year.," says Manoj Verma, Superintendent of Police, West Midnapore.
Another Lalgarh boy will go to Munich next month. But Dasharath will always have the satisfaction that he got there first.
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