The crazy idea came, as crazy ideas tend to do, from somewhere in the brain of Chuck Brown, UNMC Today editor. Chuck’s email read: “Want to go play this guy in badminton and tell the campus how bad he smoked you?”
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| Nursing student Pallav Deka, who graduates this week, was a professional badminton player before he went to nursing school. |
“This guy” turned out to be Pallav Deka, who graduates this week from the College of Nursing, who is president of his class, who has been accepted into the Ph.D. program, who already has a job lined up as a staff nurse at the Cardiac Progressive Care Unit at The Nebraska Medical Center, and who, oh yeah, used to be a professional badminton player.
Professional badminton? How much could you make as a professional badminton player?
“I made a living playing badminton,” he said.
Oh.
Birdies of fire
So I was immediately worried about being beaned by a 200-mph smash, but instead he opted to run me all over the court. (OK — “run” may not have been the operative word.)
“Hit it harder!” he implored. “Make me move!”
Then he dinked the birdie over the net again.
Time for a little research
After a while he decided we should check my heart rate. I thought he was rightfully concerned about my well-being, but no. This was for science.
“I did my master’s thesis on badminton at UNO,” he explained, on the body’s physiological response to it, and he told me all about how badminton has been proven to be incredible exercise. I believed him.
“You are dripping all over,” he said. “And we’re not even playing!”
A world-class talent
Pallav is from India, where badminton is big, and he was good. Several guys he grew up playing with and against competed in the Beijing Olympics, which he said was a proud moment for him. But he gave it up for higher education, and to work in health care, which he said sounded more “noble” than being an athlete. He has a family now, and a budding career.
“Priorities change,” he said.
He’s still game
But he’s won the Cornhusker State Games four times and the State Games of America twice, and other various elite American tournaments despite now playing maybe once or twice a week. He’s an enthusiastic advocate for the sport.
Afterward, we took pictures, and I asked him to leap all over the court. And this is where I took some small measure of victory.
I think I may have finally made him break a sweat.
Awesome story! Would love to have been there to witness the "game." 🙂
This is a great article about this amazing young man. We have enjoyed working with him on our research study in the College of Nursing and wish him continued success in his PhD program.
GO, PALAV !!! You are pretty good at doubles too. Nick's mom
Congratulations Pallav!!!
Great pallav and congrats….
Way to go Pallav! Great stufff!
Hi Palav, Nice picture of you flying. Congratulations on graduating from nursing school. Now on to grad school.
Carol Toris
Congrats Pallav-you make us proud
You makes us proud.
Woohoo!
Pallav is a success in the classroom as well. I have been proud to call him president of our class and work with him over the last 2 years. Congrats for all you have done Pallav.
Pallav is one of the most amazing, caring, thoughtful, and bright students I have ever worked with. It is such a pleasure to know him. And now, again, I am amazed by yet another incredible talent of his. Congratulations for all of your great successes in life and best wishes for continued success and happiness for you and your lovely family. Dr. Lefler
Pallov, I love the photo of you! You do look fierce…I'm glad I am not on the other side of the net. Ha! Congratulations to you on all of your accomplishments!
Bernice Yates
Proud to have a twin brother like u dear!!!!!!!!!!