In a devastating blow, Padma Shri awardee and former swimmer Bula Chowdhury reported the theft of her cherished medals and mementos from her ancestral home in West Bengal’s Hooghly district. The burglary, discovered on Independence Day, stripped Chowdhury of irreplaceable treasures, including six gold medals from the South Asian Games and her Padma Shri brooch, earned through decades of dedication.

“Thieves have taken everything I earned in my entire life through hard work,” a heartbroken Chowdhury told PTI. She noted that the culprits left behind her Arjuna Award and Tenzing Norgay medals, possibly due to their smaller size, but looted nearly all other accolades from her Hindmotor residence in Uttarpara.

This marks the third theft at the property, which remains locked and unoccupied, as Chowdhury now lives in Kolkata’s Kasba area with her family. Her brother, Milon Chowdhury, who occasionally checks on the house, discovered the break-in on August 15 after finding the rear gate broken and rooms ransacked. “I was shocked to see the house in such a state,” he said.

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Chowdhury, who rushed from Kolkata upon hearing the news, expressed frustration over repeated thefts, alleging inadequate police investigations into prior incidents. “Why are they taking medals? They won’t get any money for them. These are the treasures of my life, the fruits of my career,” she said, highlighting the emotional toll of losing symbols of her swimming legacy.

A celebrated athlete, Chowdhury made history as one of India’s first female swimmers to gain international acclaim, earning numerous accolades for her achievements. The theft of her medals, which hold immense sentimental and national value, has sparked outrage among her supporters. Police have launched an investigation, with a senior officer confirming efforts to track down the perpetrators and recover the stolen items.

The incident underscores the vulnerability of unoccupied properties and raises concerns about the security of national treasures, as Chowdhury’s medals represent not just personal triumphs but also India’s sporting heritage.

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