Death strikes three steps before dream

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

A 24-year-old police aspirant, Sangram Dhondiram Shinde from Sangli, collapsed and died just three steps before the finish line during the fourth round of a 1,600-metre run at Gokul Ground, SP office Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, on Saturday at 8.38 am.

The incident occurred during railway police constable recruitment for the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar range. Sangram (Morale, Palus tehsil) , a first-year MSc student staying in Beed with his brother, had arrived Friday with a friend and was dropped at the ground at 5 am. He successfully cleared document verification, chest measurement, biometrics, and the 100-metre run. He completed three rounds of the 1,600-metre run in about one-and-a-half minutes before suddenly collapsing. Despite immediate medical attention and ambulance transfer, his heart had stopped before reaching the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).

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Dream dies at finish line

Of 687 candidates present that day, 591 had qualified for the physical test, including Sangram. Passionate about serving the nation since childhood, he had twice attempted army recruitment but was rejected for low body weight. He trained rigorously for six years, even running in afternoon heat to prepare. Tragically, the ground he trained for became the place where his dream and life ended.