New Delhi, October 24, 2026: Havildar Gurdev Singh of the Indian Army’s 16 SIKH Light Infantry has marked a difficult personal recovery with a sporting achievement, winning a silver medal in para rowing after losing his left leg below the knee in a mine blast in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, in 2024.
According to the report, Gurdev Singh has served in the Indian Army since 2011. The blast caused grievous injuries and brought a sudden change to both his life and military career.
Instead of stepping back from activity, he chose to rebuild through sport. He is quoted as saying, “If I can’t walk with legs, I can always march with hands.”
Rowing, as described in the article, required him to develop upper-body strength, endurance, coordination and mental discipline. In 2025, he joined the Army Rowing Node in Pune and began training for para-rowing.
The article says his efforts produced results at the national level, including a silver medal at the 2026 Para Rowing Championship. It also notes that he secured medals at several national-level competitions.
The Army shared his journey under its #StoriesOfGrit initiative. The report presents his shift from injured soldier to para-rowing athlete as an example of resilience, while also noting that his achievement has been described as an inspiration for fellow soldiers, persons with disabilities and young Indians.
From the mine blast in Uri to a place on the podium, Gurdev Singh’s story reflects a recovery shaped by determination, discipline and persistence.
