Buddhi Ram Tudu has come a long way, from the dusty fields of his native place Advasi Para to the maidans of Kolkata. Though he has just begun his footballing journey, his life and his passion for the beautiful game is already an inspiration for the people of his community and to the budding footballers across the country.
Buddhi has fought against all odds to reach where he is today. He comes from a family where it’s even difficult to dream about being a footballer. His parents are landless laborers who find it hard to meet their daily expenses.
He started playing football from a young age with a side called Jagat Dal Sporting. Where he got plenty of support from the officials and Buddhi was inspired, he said “ I was treated very well by the Jagat Dal Sporting members they always encouraged me specially Sibu Da who gave me kits and football boots from his own savings”.
In 2007 Buddhi was inducted into the East Bengal under-15 side where he was paid a monthly stipend of Rupees 500 which was too less for Buddhi to sustain himself let alone support his family. So Buddhi decided to move on from East Bengal and tried his luck in Chirag Under- 19 side. During this time Buddhi’s story was covered by a local channel which came as a blessing for Buddhi as he was once again called back by East Bengal and they inducted him in their U-19 team for the National league. This was in 2008 and the tournament was held at Jamshepur. Buddhi gave a decent performance scoring 1 goal in the 4 matches that he played.
At the moment Buddhi has graduated to the East Bengal senior team as their Under-19 player and is performing well in the Calcutta Premier League. He had a dream debut with the senior team when he scored a goal against Eastern Railways. Boy of very few words Buddhi had to say this “I was delighted to score a goal on my debut for East Bengal , to play for them itself is an honor for me and to score was an icing on the cake”
When asked about his adjustment at a big club like East Bengal Buddhi says “I am having a really good time here as all the players as well as the coach treat me very well, Renedy Bhai gave me money recently from which I bought a boot for myself”
Fans love him but Buddhi has also found admirers amongst the players Bhaichung Bhutia the captain of India football team and his senior in East Bengal had to say this about Buddhi “I think Buddhi is a hard worker and very serious about the game, He has very bright future ahead of him”
Buddhi also had a good run at the recently concluded Federation Cup where his team lifted the trophy. The first taste of success for this promising youngster from Bengal . But we can only hope that the best is yet to come. Buddhi Ram Tudu! People mark this name.
(Currently Buddhi Ram Tudu is playing for the United Sikkim Football Club and is doing well having scored seven goals in the first round of the I-League division II Qualifiers)
Photograph Courtesy- Ronny Roy
my sir buddi ram tudu
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