Santosh Gurav, a Remarkable figure in the world of the traditional Indian game ‘Lagori,’ served this sport in various roles. He was not just a player and an organizer but also a trailblazer who strived to elevate Lagori from a local ground game to a global sport. Despite his passing, the memory of this young sportsman from Maharashtra, known as the “Tiger in the Lagori arena,” still evokes sorrow.
Santosh Pralhad Gurav devoted his life to reviving this traditional game. He invested his own resources and unwavering effort to introduce Lagori to India and 30 other countries worldwide. He was determined to restore the glory of this ancient game that was nearly forgotten. He tirelessly promoted and advocated for Lagori, even though he never sought celebrity status or fame. Through his dedication & accomplishments, he brought recognition to Lagori and our country. He has trained countless students in Lagori.
Santosh Gurav hailed from a family deeply rooted in sports. His grandfather served in the Police Department during the British era, earning numerous medals for his achievements. His father, Pralhad Gurav, was a wrestler and a Forest Officer, while his mother, Rekha Gurav, was a cycling expert. Santosh’s upbringing instilled a passion for sports from an early age. His sharp mind, lofty ambitions, and unyielding determination, despite hailing from a small village like Nagothane, drove him to dedicate himself to sports from childhood. He started his journey with Karate and ventured into various other sports like kickboxing, wushu, boxing, and woodball. His talent shone through as he collected medals and trophies at state, national, and international levels. He excelled at outplaying opponents. Santosh completed the Indian Government’s N.I.S. diploma course in Wushu in Patiala and underwent six months of training in woodball and golf in Taiwan. He also encouraged his brothers, Sandeep and Bharat, to embrace sports, and they, too, achieved success at the global level. He instilled in them the values of elevating the name of our nation, India, Maharashtra, and their district, leaving a lasting legacy. Despite his relentless efforts and dedication to sports, Santosh faced disappointments and unfulfilled aspirations. His primary dream was to win an Olympic medal, both for himself and through his students. He tirelessly mastered various sports like sword-fighting, basketball, and rope-skipping, while also training other players. He passionately worked to promote these sports in schools and colleges in Maharashtra. He faced numerous challenges and even astonished experts with his determination.
Later in life, Santosh made a heartfelt decision to promote the national sport of Lagori instead of foreign ones. Over seven years, he succeeded in making Lagori famous throughout Maharashtra. This achievement drew the attention of sports organizations, with some even contemplating how to halt his progress. Despite facing numerous challenges, Santosh maintained a positive attitude, inspiring others to do the same. His exceptional thinking ability, forward-looking mindset, and sharp memory enabled him to excel. He had a wealth of knowledge about sports authorities, athletes, and sports-related information, and he was well- informed about political developments.
Despite his busy schedule promoting Lagori, Santosh always made time for phone calls, engaging in lengthy conversations and leaving a lasting impact on those he spoke with. He was a master organizer, overseeing more than 18 sports associations in the Raigad district. He personally trained students and managed tournaments singlehandedly, achieving the seemingly impossible. If he had chosen a different path in business or politics, he could have become a prominent figure. However, he dedicated himself to sports and never left his hometown of Nagothane. Many advised him to relocate to larger cities like Panvel, Mumbai, or Pune, but he remained steadfast. Despite facing numerous challenges and detractors, he never wavered, staying true to his hometown.
Throughout his journey, Santosh had the privilege of meeting renowned personalities, including ministers, MLAs, MPs, governors, politicians, Marathi and Hindi film stars, and accomplished Olympic athletes like P.T. Usha, Dhanraj Pillay, and Sushilkumar. His work earned him compliments and recognition from these influential figures.
Santosh Gurav had ambitious dreams, including organizing the Grand Lagori World Cup in Navi Mumbai, a global event with the participation of over 30 countries. Unfortunately, this dream remained unfulfilled. Another noble goal was to establish a Maha Lagori League for Marathi actors, with the proceeds earmarked for the conservation of Maharashtra’s historic hill forts and castles. Despite a promising start, the league had to be postponed due to unforeseen weather-related issues.
In his final endeavor, Santosh was in the process of arranging the Indian Premier League-Khel Lagori for Hindi actors, with meetings held with actors and event organizers. However, time ran out, and his vision went unrealized.
Santosh was known for his altruism, often assisting accident victims by personally transporting them to the hospital, covering fuel costs from his own pocket. He helped many, especially the less fortunate, believing that his kindness would be repaid during his own difficult times. Sadly, when he met with an accident, no one came to his aid, and due to a lack of timely medical treatment, he passed away. His life exemplified the notion that those who help others are valued by both people and the divine.
