The 2020-batch IPS officer Majid Iqbal Khan, a devout Kashmiri Muslim, has been fasting during the month of Ramadan since his childhood, without having even a drop of water from dawn to dusk. Like everyone else, he too avoided rigorous physical activity while fasting.
He was however, faced with a piquant situation in 2021 when after being selected for the IPS, he was training at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA), Hyderabad. The training had just started when Ramadan came. He wondered whether he would be able to do the physical exercises without water or would be forced to break the fast.
TOUGH CHOICE
The training at the academy is very hectic. It starts at 5:30 in the morning with 2 PT sessions till 7:30 and then Indoor classes from 9 till 1:30. Followed by drill classes, Battle Obstacle Assault Course (BOAC), swimming (different activity every day) in the second half and it finished with games classes around 6:30. Training required rigorous physical activities like swimming, cycling and running, sometimes with a load on your back. “After training we used to eat like anything,” he told Indian Masterminds.
However, when the fasting started, he had a choice to make. The real challenge was water as it was crucial to drink water after every outdoor session, to keep the body hydrated and fresh for next physical activity.
CARDIO CHALLENGE
When fasting started, the initial 2 days were off, however, the main challenge was during the cardio day in another morning PT. This was because running while fasting was something which Mr. Khan never tried before.
Speaking with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Khan said, “I was involved in powerlifting, I used to go to the gym but that was not very hectic and was in my comfort zone.”
BONE-DRY MOUTH
He shared about his fasting to one of his friend and squad mates who was also going to fast. He says that he found willpower and his friends encouraged them.
On the other day during the tough morning cardio PT, he was gasping for air, and by the end of the session his mouth was dry as a bone and Mr Khan thought of giving up. However, a shower and a power nap worked like a miracle to him.
“After a few days, we went for a 5 km cross-country run in a limited time. This was also a challenge as till now in morning PTs we were running at a normal pace,” Mr Khan said.
BODY IS A MIRACLE
He told his friend to run with him and make sure that he maintains his pace. His friend ran with him and ensured that he finishes the run within the stipulated time limit. As the days passed his body became more and more adapted to the changed circumstances.
He understood that the body itself is a miracle. At the end of Ramadan, he had become a totally changed person. “Such an impact has never been created by any Ramadan in his life like the one of 2021 at NPA”, he told Indian Masterminds.
STILL RUNNING
Though the training is over, he has continued his physical activities at the same pace during the current month of Ramadan as well.
Now in a week, one day he goes for a long run. Another day is for high-intensity interval training (HIIT) which he learned at the academy where first they walk, then run at a moderate speed followed by sprinting and walking again. For three days he continues with strength training and rests for two days.
“Physical fitness is of foremost importance to a police officer. I can’t leave my workout for any reason even during Ramadan. I want to inspire people to follow their dreams and things will automatically fall in place and the body too would adapt likewise”, Mr Majid concluded.
