Mr. Virender Kumar Pahuja was an honorable and compassionate man. His selfless service to the field of aquatics has impacted many lives. His noble thinking and dedication supported countless to fulfill their dreams, also helped many to have a dream.
Mr. Virender Kumar Pahuja was born on 16th November 1945 in Sindh (those years India). He had to struggle and strive hard to achieve his dreams since his childhood as his family had to shift from their hometown after the partition.
Mr. Pahuja attended Modern School, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi from 1950 to 1962 for his elementary and secondary education. He was an outstanding sportsman in his school days, he won several medals and dominated Delhi state.
He played football and swimming at National level and Water polo at International Level. He was also a member of Indian water polo team for Indo-Sri Lanka dual meet held at Trivandrum in 1973.
Mr. Pahuja lost his father in August’1962, at that time he was a student of B.A. (Pass Course) at St. Stephens College, Delhi University, Delhi.
At that hard time, the Modern School Authorities were kind and helpful by providing him a job as Library Assistant on humanitarian grounds. Being a determined man, Mr. Pahuja qualified as a Swimming Coach from N.I.S. Patiala in 1963 ( First Batch conducted by Hungarian Coach, Dr. Otto Demjen ). After returning from Patiala on his successful completion of N.I.S. Swimming Course he was transferred in Games Department from 1st November ‘1963. Being a first qualified Swimming Coach in Delhi, he realized the responsibility and necessity of Higher Education.
He did his Graduation from Delhi College now known as (Zakhir Hussain College) in B.A. Pass in 1964 to 1967, and he completed his Post Graduation from M.M. College, Ghaziabad in Political Science in 1969.
He switched over from Sports to Academics in 1967 as Hindi teacher in Modern School; he did his B.Ed in 1974. Since then he was regularly teaching Hindi and Social Studies classes in the Raghubir Singh Junior Modern School, Humayun Road, New Delhi.
After school hours he continued actively his Swimming coaching at various swimming pools and clubs. He trained many swimmers who won Laurels at the National and International Level. He was also very actively involved at the National Aquatics as a Technical official and Water polo referee since 1976.
When the Government of India decided to hold Asian Games in 1982 at Delhi, at the time India did not have any International Water polo Referee. Mr. Pahuja then decided to qualify as International Water polo Referee. In 1980, he got a chance to qualify at Chendu- (China) in the friendship Water polo Tournament held at Chendu. He became the first and only one International Water polo Referee in the country in 1980. As the Asian Games came closer, India needed more Technical Officials, so the Swimming Federation of India organized a clinic for Technical officials in Swimming, Diving and Water polo in New Delhi in 1982 with the help of F.I.N.A. –International Body which controls the Swimming, Water Polo, and Diving in the world.
International Water Polo Referee he got the Chance to refer in the 4th World Championship at Equator-1980, Asian Games, Delhi 1982, World Junior Water polo Tournament-Barcelona, Spain 1983 and Asian Swimming Championship-South Korea in1984.
One of his biggest contributions to the field of swimming was the Swimming Statistical Bulletin, which is acknowledged as the bible for swimming in India (by Hindu newspaper). Swimming Statistical Bulletin is a solitary book of Swimming Statistics that is considered very useful for swimmers, coaches, Administrators, Ministry of Sports, S.A.I. It helps to clear Swimmers for the participation in the International championships. Indian Olympic Association also uses this as a reference book.
Mr. Pahuja lost his wife, Mrs. Komal Pahuja on 8th Feburary’2014. Mrs. Komal Pahuja was the Founder Chairperson of Swimming Coaching Institute. She was an active sportsperson of her time, she made up her mind to support swimming and budding swimmers. She sacrificed her career and left her lecturer job of IP College, so that she could always be available for her family.
Mrs. Komal Pahuja nurtured not only her three children, but she also cherished and promoted many swimmers from different sections of society to establish them at National and International levels. She became an active social worker to help the needy.
Mr. and Mrs. Pahuja shared a great companionship and they cherished many lives together.
Mr. Pahuja, even after retiring from Modern School in 2006, didn’t stop working in the field of aquatics.
He continued to work as a swimming statistician, expert commentator for swimming and water polo on radio and television- Doordarshan.
He wrote in several newspapers and magazines. His brainchild was Junior Modern School Games and Hobby center for 10 years, to tap the young talent at tiny tot’s stage. Mr. Pahuja always promoted and encouraged young talent.
Mr.V.K. Pahuja left the world on 19th October’2015 due to brief illness & hospitalization at Saket City. He has left behind great legacy of Indian swimming and three children who are trained swimmers. Son, Priyank Pahuja is a national medalist swimmer and a water polo player. Daughter, Dr. Supriya Pahuja, National medalist at long distance swimming and triathalon and Daughter, Meenakshi Pahuja, who won the medal for country in 1996 at 10th Asia Pacific at South Korea, Pusan, she is also a Limca Book Record holder 2013 and 2016. Currently Priyank Pahuja is working as a swimming coach, Dr. Supriya Pahuja is also a working as a swimming coach and she is also a theater artist, their father always supported his children in achieving their dreams. Meenakshi Pahuja is an International open water swimmer and representing India world over, she is also an Assistant Professor at Lady Shri Ram college for women. Mr. Pahuja flourished all three children to be able to make their careers in the field of swimming. At present all three are imparting the knowledge given by their parents.
Mr. V.K. Pahuja was a selfless and a self-made man. He went through a lot of struggle in his career and thus he decided to work on making it easier for others to reach their goals. He organized many non-profit aquatics (swimming, diving and water polo) tournaments so that people who cannot afford to pay for their game can also participate and achieve in competitions. He supported underprivileged young swimmers by providing them with scholarships and refreshments. He also helped them to participate in competitions by his own clubs free of cost. Mr. Pahuja always taught his students to live a life to make an impact, not to earn.
Condolences came from all over the world, generation of swimmers/ students that he nurtured at Modern School, Delhi state and at National level, Swimming fraternity, Swimming Federation of India, other state associations, coaches, sports administrators, technical officials, nationals and international swimmers, swimming pools he was associated as a consultant/ technical adviser and DDCA, his colleagues and associates from Modern School and different schools and colleges. His long time associates in print and electronic media from Sports Authority of India, Association of Indian Universities, Indian Olympic Association, Services Sports Control Board, Swimming Association of India, International Swimming Statistician Association, his friends, well wishers. Thousands of lives that he touched by encouraging them for a healthy lifestyle, to follow simplicity and motivating them to be ethical at all stages of life.
Mr. Pahuja was nominated for the highest honor; Padma Shree Award in year 1989-1990.
Mr. Pahuja’s contribution to aquatics is remarkable and will be remembered by one and all. He has made a huge difference in the field of aquatics with his efforts, hard work and devotion. Even his last words curtained his passion for his sport and his desire for making it easier for others, he said to his children to always “Help, Serve and Contribute”.