Devanand Ritoo: Twice Miraculous, the Man Who Defied Death and Destiny

From fall to rebirth, Devanand Ritoo, former PPS and minister of Youth and Sports, shares a moving account intertwined with faith, resilience, and courage. His extraordinary journey, filled with injuries, miracles, and commitment, transcends politics to touch on the essence of rising again, against all odds, without ever giving up on life.

In Belle-Vue, where it all began, Devanand Ritoo grew up in an environment where family values, discipline, and respect were paramount. "My parents taught me that in life you must believe and work hard," he emotionally confides. At a young age, he discovered football, a passion that would never leave him. "Football was my breath, my life revolved around a ball," he says.

On the fields, he quickly established himself, joining the Hindu Cadets where he played as a central defender—solid, determined, and respected by his peers and coaches. "I was a defender who was not afraid; I believed in my abilities," he states.

Guided by local and foreign professionals, he gradually honed his talent. His performances during numerous matches revealed his potential and sparked great hopes among both his family and experts. "Everyone believed I would go far in football," he indicates.

A Love Story Born in the Stands

It was also on these fields that another story unfolded: that of love. "I never thought football would bring me love too," he smiles. Indeed, in the stands, a young girl from Queen Elizabeth College, Kamini, watched him play, admiringly captivated. "She came to watch the matches with her friends; she was a fan," he recounts.

Soon, she began writing him letters—sincere, touching words—and through these exchanges, a strong relationship blossomed. "Each letter was filled with emotion; it touched me deeply. Our love grew slowly but steadily," Devanand Ritoo shares, a story that would become a pillar in the darkest moments of his life.

November 1982: The Brutal Fall

As a promising future lay ahead, everything changed in November 1982 during a match.

During a routine play, a poorly executed overlapping caused a brutal collision. The fracture was severe, and Devanand Ritoo’s foot was gravely injured. Still marked by this event, he recalls, "I thought my life was over that day. I felt a pain I couldn’t explain."

The doctors were firm, and the diagnosis hit him like a guillotine: he would never walk normally again, let alone play football: "They told me it was one of the worst football injuries they had seen. They thought I would need crutches for the rest of my life," our interviewee explains.

At 26, his life crumbled. He underwent more than four surgical procedures. "I thought it was all over. Each operation was a battle," he says. His foot remained partially numb, with scars both visible and invisible. "To this day, there are parts of my foot that I cannot feel," Devanand Ritoo confides, who walked with crutches for five months, feeling dependent and fragile. However, deep down, a flame refused to extinguish. He recounts, "This was one of the greatest tests of my life. I told myself, I won’t stay like this."

Faith as the Only Weapon

Faced with the impossible, he explains he turned to faith: "I didn’t stop praying; day and night I was praying." Each day was a battle, each step a victory, and against all odds and medical predictions, he began to walk without crutches. "I was persevering, over and over again. The doctors didn’t believe, but I believed in God," proudly states the man who married Kamini without crutches in 1993. A true miracle!

But while his body moved forward, the consequences lingered: kidney stones, persistent pain for over 40 years. Despite everything, he continued his career in banking, built a family, became a father of two, yet football remained a deep regret. "The pain hasn’t gone away; it’s still here today, but I live with it, I work with it. My family is my greatest strength. I would have loved to play football again, but fate had other plans," he indicates.

From the Field to Politics: Another Fight

In 2005, he entered politics alongside Navin Ramgoolam in constituency No. 5, where he discovered another demanding field. "This was my fire baptism, and politics is also a fight, but different," he recalls. Close to the people, committed, he climbed the ranks to become PPS and then Minister of Youth and Sports. His journey inspires, and his story touches. "People see that I haven’t given up," he confides.

Last year, another shocking episode occurred. Stricken with dizziness, he collapsed. Given his health condition, his family decided to take him to India, where tests revealed a serious issue— a stone located in a very delicate area affecting his body. Additionally, doctors detected a cardiac complication.

The surgery was heavy and risky, but by the grace of God, it was a success. Once again, faith and family support played a crucial role. "The doctors opened my abdomen, forming an L. I believe once again, it’s a miracle. Without my family, I wouldn’t be here," Devanand Ritoo confides, who now follows a strict diet and takes meticulous care of his health.

"Twice Miraculous": An Intimate Conviction

For him, there is no doubt. He has experienced two miracles: the first, when he walked again against all odds, and the second, when he survived this recent ordeal. Emotionally, he confides: "I firmly believe I have received two miracles in my life. God gave me a second chance… even a third one." His voice slightly quivers, but his gaze remains determined: "I still have things to do."

Today, Devanand Ritoo reflects on his journey with gratitude and speaks of pain without bitterness, of trials without anger: "Everything that has happened has a reason, and suffering has shaped me." He continues to move forward, despite the scars, despite the challenges, for "giving up is not in my dictionary," he asserts. His message is clear, powerful, and universal: "If you believe, you can succeed."

Through his story, he reminds us that even in the darkest moments, a light can emerge: "Never lose hope, ever." Twice miraculous, yes, but above all, a man standing tall, always…