"Was In Deep Depression": Paralympics Medallist Sema Who Lost One Leg In Anti-Terrorist Operation

Paralympics bronze medallist Hokato Hotozhe Sema on Tuesday said he learned to walk again like a new-born baby after losing his left leg in a landmine explosion in 2002. That landmine blast during an anti-terrorist operation in Jammu & Kashmir's Chowkibal claimed his left leg below the knee, inflicting immense physical pain and mental trauma. "I was mentally disturbed and in deep depression (after my leg amputation). I never thought I would be like this. I asked myself how I would walk because I don't have one leg," Sema told PTI on the sidelines of a felicitation function in the capital.

"There were swellings (after surgery) and they were taking time to heal," said the 40-year-old Dimapur-born Army man.

Sema, whose leg was amputated, came up with his career-best throw of 14.65 metres to secure a shot put bronze medal for the country in the men's F57 category final at the Paralympic Games on September 6.

The athlete from Nagaland became the first Paralympics medallist from northeast India. He had also won a bronze medal at the Hangzhou Para Asian Games last year.

A visit to Pune's artificial limb centre changed his life post the tragic incident. He was presented an artificial limb by the Indian Army.

"I have not seen an artificial leg till then in my life. Indian Army provided me with an artificial limb with a lot of hope. Because of that I am being able to stand in front of you.

"When I went to the artificial limb centre (in Pune), I saw people in more difficult situation than me. They wanted to do something despite the severe physical problem they had to deal with.

"I thought my condition is nothing as compared to theirs and I felt like I am normal. I got motivated from them," said Sema who trains at Army Paralympic