Firdous Khan

Parvez Khan from Haryana’s Mewat region has shown that sheer talent can open doors to success. Rising from a small village in one of the state’s most backward areas, he has carved a place for himself in the United States of America.

His achievements have brought pride not only to his family and his home district but to the entire country.

Born on December 26, 2004, in Chahlka village of Nuh district, Parvez comes from a modest household. His father, Nafees Ahmed, is a farmer, and his mother, Hamsira, is a homemaker.

Limited agricultural land made it difficult for the family to sustain themselves, and both his parents were uneducated. Yet, despite the hardships and a lack of educational resources, Parvez found his identity and purpose through sports.

Pervez Khan displaying his gold National Games Gold medal

 At a young age, he made his mark in the world of athletics, becoming a source of encouragement for the youth of Mewat. Many parents now hope their children follow the path he has charted.

Having completed his schooling up to Class 12 from Yasin Mew School in Nuh, he is currently pursuing an Arts degree while training rigorously in athletics. Parvez says the scholarship has given him the hope of sharpening his sporting abilities.

Pervez on the track in the USA

For the people of his village, his achievement feels like a dream come true. A boy from a financially struggling family, who had neither wealth nor influence, securing a place at a prestigious American university seemed unimaginable. But with hard work and natural ability, Parvez turned the impossible into reality. His success is celebrated not just in his village but across the region, inspiring countless others.

In May 2024, he delivered an impressive performance at the SEC Outdoor Track and Field Championship held in Louisiana, USA, by winning a gold medal in the 1500-meter race with a time of 3 minutes 42.73 seconds.

Despite a slow start, he surged ahead and crossed the finish line first.

Pervez Khan during training

This, however, was not his personal best—he had clocked 3 minutes 38.76 seconds in California a month earlier. At the same competition, he also secured third place in the 800-meter race. A video of his finishing sprint in the 1500 meters went viral, astonishing viewers as he swept past his competitors. Industrialist Anand Mahindra shared the clip on X, praising his passion and potential and expressing hope that he would shine as a future star of Indian athletics.

Earlier, in June 2024, Parvez won another gold medal in the 1500 meters in an event jointly organised by the Athletics Federation of India and the Haryana Athletics Federation in Panchkula, clocking 3 minutes 42.95 seconds.

In January 2022, he clinched gold in the 800 meters with a timing of 1 minute 52.42 seconds and bronze in the 1500 meters at the 81st All India Inter-University Athletics Championship in Mangalore, Karnataka. In 2021, he had also won gold in the 1500 meters at the Open National Championship in Warangal.

Parvez’s journey into athletics began while preparing for recruitment into the Indian Navy. The physical training sparked his passion for running, and he soon dedicated himself wholeheartedly to the sport. His discipline and determination transformed him into an elite athlete, and today, he proudly serves in the Indian Navy while continuing to excel in competitions.

Pervez Khan with his mother

His uncle, Khalid, says, “Parvez never compromises on his training. Hard work and positive thinking are his strengths. He doesn’t look back—he always moves forward. Our greatest dream is to see him win an Olympic medal for India.”

Parvez’s younger brother, Rohit Khan, is also following his path in sports. On September 24, he won a bronze medal in the 65 kg weightlifting category at Haryana’s Sports Mahakumbha in Gurugram, lifting a total of 230 kg.

From a poverty-stricken village in Mewat to international athletics tracks, Parvez Khan’s life is a remarkable journey of perseverance and ambition.

ALSO READ: Mumtaz Khan's inspirational story as first TV professional from Mewat

He stands as a symbol of hope for countless young people from marginalised communities who dare to dream beyond their circumstances. Parvez is not only an athlete of immense potential but also a shining example of where determination can lead.

(The writer is a poet, storyteller, and journalist.)