When Fauja Singh runs a marathon, the whole world feels inspired. When a lady of more than 100 years
does the same thing, the inspiration increases all the more and the attention of the world is focused upon
her. Such a role-model lady who figured recently in news, when she ran a marathon at Patiala in 2016. This
lady, named Bebe Man Kaur had also won a gold medal at the American Master games in August 2016.
In this competition at Vancouver (Canada) she was the only competitor in her age category and when she
crossed the finish line in only one and a half minute in the 100 M, she won tremendous applause by all
including her competitors. Her energy and drive to complete have become an inspiration for others. This
was not the only gold medal won by her. She has won more than 20 medals in 100 m, 200 m and 400 m races
in tournaments across the world. She has also won gold medals in the javelin and short put. Among those
who felt inspired was also Charmaine Crooks a five time Olympian who won a silver medal for Canada
in the women’s 4×400-meter relay in 1984, serves as an athlete ambassador for the Masters Games. She
praised Kaur’s “dynamic spirit.” “I know that it’s inspired me, Hey, I’ve got almost 50 more years to go,
right?” Crooks said. “She’s inspiring everyone, young and old.” The world Masters Games take place every
four years, with regional games in between. The American Masters Games in Vancouver is the first summer
regional games in North America, Crooks said. The man behind her achievement is her son Gurdev Singh (a
veteran athlete, 78 years old) who encouraged her to start running at the age of 93 because he knew that as
she had no problem she would become a star. Now she feels very happy whenever she wins. She practices at
Chandigarh where she is residing and encourages other old ladies that they should run and keep themselves
fit. The role-model Bebe has also very good memory. She still remember that she was married to a cook (her
father was also a cook in the Royal kitchen of Patiala) who worked at Moti Bagh Palace of Patiala. She was
also employed to attend the Queens in the palace, particularly Maharani Bakhtawar Kaur. When she visited
Patiala and was a accommodated in a room at Heritage Hotel in the Baradari Garden she reflected all her old
memories of Patiala and talked of the Queens, their life style and also about Chail where every summer, all
the members of the Royal family and their employees migrated. Her lively talks, enthusiasm and optimistic
approach at this stage of life really make her a wonderful role-model.
