Source: The Times of India
CHANDIGARH: Dalip Singh Rana was always big. And almost always very hungry.
For food he would do anything. Back home in his Himachal village of Sirmour, he did odd jobs to fill his great appetite – as night watchman, construction labourer, waiter at road-side dhabas.
That was before the 7 feet 3 inch-tall Rana metamorphosed into a 200-kg muscled monster the world now knows as “The Great Khali”, one of WWE’s most compelling fighters and global icon for battle-and-blood lusting teenagers and youth across continents.
The Punjab Police, which recruited him sometime in 1994, is still doing Khali a good turn. He’s a cop in their records, ever since former Punjab Police DGP Mahal Singh Bhullar got him a job, and is on “leave without pay”.
What’s more, to help save his police job, he’s also “sick and indisposed” in official records.
Still “posted” as a sub-inspector with the Punjab police, the wrestler has now been on leave for the last three years. Not that anybody cares, really. A senior police officer, smiling with pride spoke of how his colleague is on medical leave “but is thrashing foreign opponents with his Indian fist.”
ADGP Rajan Gupta of Punjab Armed Police, where Khali is “posted” in Jalandhar, said, “I don’t think there is anything wrong in extending his leave. He is an asset to the department and an exception can always be made.”
The love for Khali runs across departments. ADGP (law and order) Chander Shekhar said, “He should be treated as an exceptional case. He has become a brand and in my opinion his name should instead be suggested for a Padma Shree or any other national award.”
His family, some of whom are now in the police, too are backing him to the hilt. “I don’t think my brother has done anything wrong in asking for leave,” said Mangat Singh Rana, Khali’s younger, much shorter, sibling.
“Don’t ask us about his leave. We just want to enjoy the next match in Atlanta on March 30. He’ll beat up everybody again.”
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