Suparjya Swain 
BHUBANESWAR: For many, dreams remain locked behind challenges and hardships, but for 19-year-old Gurjot Singh, those same obstacles fuelled his rise. His journey — from the quiet, kutcha roads of Husainabad, Punjab, to representing India’s national hockey team — is a story of resilience, hope, and relentless determination.
A Shattering Accident
It all began with a devastating accident that could have ended it all. At seven years old, cycling through the unpaved roads of his village in Jalandhar, Gurjot’s life changed in an instant. A biker struck him, and his head slammed into the sharp edge of a stone chakki (manual flour grinder) on the roadside. He lay unconscious, bleeding profusely, his life hanging in the balance.
When his parents rushed to the hospital, the doctors warned them that their son was lucky to be alive, but recovery would be long and challenging. Gurjot faced debilitating headaches whenever he focused on reading or looking at a screen. For years, his physical weakness lingered, cycling to school became a grueling task, and his family feared their son might never fully recover.
The Spark of Hockey
Amidst these struggles, a flicker of hope emerged. When Gurjot reached seventh grade, the persistent headaches had mostly subsided, and something unexpected entered his life: hockey. The idea of playing captivated him. But convincing his parents to let him cycle 4 km to the neighbouring village of Sarinh for hockey practice, only to return late at night, was no easy task. For months, Gurjot begged, even refusing food at one point to show his dedication.
Eventually, his parents relented, and Gurjot embarked on a journey that would change his life. His small village had little by way of infrastructure or guidance, and most of his peers abandoned the sport. For a time, even Gurjot set aside his hockey stick. But fate had other plans.
A Factory Worker with a Dream
During the global COVID-19 lockdown, financial pressures forced Gurjot to work in a slipper factory, boxing footwear on a night shift. Even as he toiled away, his passion for hockey remained undimmed. He would sneak in practice sessions during the day, sacrificing sleep to chase his dream.
That persistence paid off when he decided to try out for the hockey team at Khalsa College, Jalandhar. Without much hope but fueled by his passion, Gurjot attended the trials immediately after a long night at the factory. His skill and tenacity shone through, and he was selected. The college offered him free lodging and food, and once again, Gurjot found himself back on the field, chasing his dreams with renewed vigor.
From a Village to the World Stage
Just as Gurjot’s hopes were rekindled, another hurdle emerged — the national departmental tournaments, which could have secured him a government job, were canceled. Undeterred, Gurjot pressed on, playing in local tournaments. At one such event in Moga in 2021, a stroke of luck changed everything.
During the match, a man approached him after seeing his potential and advised him to attend trials at the Round Glass Academy in Jalandhar. Gurjot took the advice, traveled immediately, and was once again selected. Under the academy’s mentorship, he flourished, earning a spot in India’s junior hockey camp and ultimately making his way to the senior team.
The Dream Realized
When Gurjot Singh debuted for the Indian national team at the Asian Champions Trophy in China, it was a moment of triumph — not just for him, but for his family and his village. The young boy who had once struggled with headaches and worked in a factory was now proudly wearing India’s colors on the international stage.
The journey was far from smooth, but it was defined by grit, resilience, and a belief that even the most difficult circumstances could be overcome. From humble beginnings in a one-room home to being garlanded by his village as a hero, Gurjot’s story is an inspiring reminder that with hard work and determination, no dream is too far out of reach.
As he reflected on his debut, Gurjot shared the words his captain, Harmanpreet Singh, said to him before the game: “Chakk de, jo vi haiga dikha de. Appa tere naal haan” (“Come on, show your skills. We are with you”). Those words encapsulate not just Gurjot’s debut, but his life — a story of showing up, overcoming fears, and proving that with heart and perseverance, anything is possible.
The Road Ahead
Now, balancing his graduation in Physical Education and playing for India, Gurjot looks forward to the future with optimism. A government job — a dream he has held since childhood — is likely on the horizon. And while he may have butterflies in his stomach during big matches, the headaches that once plagued his childhood are a thing of the past. The young boy from Husainabad has not just survived; he has thrived, and his journey is just beginning.
Gurjot Singh’s story is a beacon of hope for anyone facing adversity, a living testament to the power of passion, hard work, and unshakable faith in oneself.
