144 WHO'S WHO IN INDIA tion. In 1909, he took a fast trip through some of the countries of the Far East and was received with acclaim wherever he performed. While in Malaysia, an attempt was made to poison him by a rival athlete but it proved futile. This same year, Lord and Lady Minto presented him with a medal and also gave him a certificate, speaking in the highest terms, of his interesting feats at a garden party at Barrackpur. In May, 19 10, he went to England where he showed his strength to the people from all over the world assembled there for the Coronation of the King-Emperor. Rammurti's life is a life of plain living and high thinking. For a time, he took meat as an essential part of his daily menu thinking it necessary for his health, but of late he has reverted to a purely vegetarian diet. He never takes alcoholic drinks unless medicinally. Unlike the common run of Indian athletes, Rammurti is a man of original ideas. When you question him closely as to how he is able to exhibit such superhuman strength he unassumingly answers '* will power does it." He tells you in explanation that when the elephant is to pass over his person or the country carts over his thighs and chest, or when he is to bear a huge stone on his person or let the motar car run over him or break the chain, all that he does is to concentrate his mind on the particular portion of his body which is to bear the brunt of the burden and since the mental controls the physical his body obeys his will and he is able to perform the feat without being hurt in the least. Rammurti is a great believer in. " pranayam " — breathing exercises and concentration of thought, both of which he practises regularly every day. He has great faith in the old institution of * Brahmacharya ' and advocates that Indian men should not marry until they are 25 years old. He himself is still a celibate and wishes to continue to be one until the end of his sporting career. Rammurti not only loves his country but constantly thinks about its welfare. He is exceedingly unhappy because the physique of his countrymen is being undermined by early
