Surendra Poonia

Major Surendra Poonia
	Major Surendra Poonia after winning Gold Medal in Power-lifting at Croatia
Personal information
Nationality	Indian
Born	1 January 1977 (age 47); Rajpura (70 km from Sikar), Rajasthan, India
Alma mater	Armed Forces Medical College, Pune; University of Pune; Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya
Height	172 cm (5 ft 8 in)
Military career
Allegiance	Republic of India
Service / branch	Indian Army
Years of service	2001–2012
Rank	Major
Unit	Para (Special Forces)
Battles / wars	President's Body Guard; ; Siachen Counter terrorism operation-2005; Indo-Mangolia Joint war exercise; United Nation’s Peace Keeping Mission;
Awards	Param Vishisht Seva
Personal details
Political party	Bharatiya Janata Party
Occupation	Special forces operative; Sportsman; Powerlifter; Doctor; Politician;

Major Dr. Surendra Poonia, VSM is an international award-winning sportsman, Limca book record holder, physician, former Special Forces officer of the Indian Army, founder of Soldierathon marathon,^[1] Fit Bharat and a politician of Bharatiya Janata Party. He is the first Indian athlete with the rare distinction of having won medals in power-lifting and strength events in four consecutive world championships. He was born on 1 January 1977 in a farmer family in Sikar, Rajasthan. He is a graduate of the AFMC, Pune.^[2]

^ "Soldierathon :A run in honour of our bravehearts". www.soldierathon.com. Retrieved 16 December 2021. Soldierathon was an idea conceived by Major Dr Surendra Poonia,VSM in guidance of former President of India, the Late Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, who felt the need to create awareness towards the sacrifices made by our men in uniform and at the same time help the Martyr families/children and war wounded soldiers, who along with time are forgotten by the country at large. But unfortunately, Dr Kalam Sir didn't live through to see it happen and Major Poonia has taken it upon himself to make this dream a reality.
^ Team, Editorial (28 September 2017). "Motivational Story of Major Surendra Poonia - Special Forces Veteran". SSBToSuccess. Retrieved 29 September 2017.

[1] "Soldierathon :A run in honour of our bravehearts". www.soldierathon.com. Retrieved 16 December 2021. Soldierathon was an idea conceived by Major Dr Surendra Poonia,VSM in guidance of former President of India, the Late Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, who felt the need to create awareness towards the sacrifices made by our men in uniform and at the same time help the Martyr families/children and war wounded soldiers, who along with time are forgotten by the country at large. But unfortunately, Dr Kalam Sir didn't live through to see it happen and Major Poonia has taken it upon himself to make this dream a reality.

[2] Team, Editorial (28 September 2017). "Motivational Story of Major Surendra Poonia - Special Forces Veteran". SSBToSuccess. Retrieved 29 September 2017.

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