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The
first golden women athlete
The first golden women Krishna Poonia ended India's 52-year wait for an athletics gold medal at the
Commonwealth Games when she led the home nation to a clean sweep in the women's discus on
October 11, 2010..When Krishna Poonia on the podium after the women’s discus event at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in
New Delhi on Monday, the capacity crowd exploded in applause. The 28 years old Krishna Poonia mother of a
nine-year-old, won the gold medal in the discus event and was instantly accorded the title of super mom.
As a girl hailing from a small village of Agroha in Hisar
district and married to Virendra of Gagarwas village in Churu district of Rajasthan,
Krishnas own journey to the top has very challenging. During school days, despite her passion for the games, she never got enough facilities
to practice. It was only in 1997, when while studying in college, she
broke the 25-year-old record in discus throw during inter-college games,
she was recognized. After that, she has never looked back in life.
According to Krishna, what gave her career a big push was her marriage
with Virender, who had been a national champion in hammer throw. After
marriage, generally its tough for an Indian woman to carry on with her
passion. But in my case it was other way around. Virender not only encourage me to continue with sports, he became a personal coach for me,
she said.
Poonia’s husband and coach Virender Poonia says “Let people say
whatever they have to. Make your daughter, wife or sister or any woman
participate in sports as much as you can. Promote women in sports and
support them if you don’t want such medal droughts again,”
Krishna, who has been training in the US for the last two years, thanked
her husband Virendra for providing her strong mental support whenever
she was emotionally down. 'I hardly got to see my nine-year-old son Lakshaya Raj
who stays with my in-laws. In fact, since my son was one-and-half year
old, I have been staying away from him as I was busy with training and competitions,' she said.
Supermom
"I think all my pain has now gone away with this medal. My son
reached just in time for my event and later wore my gold medal on his neck. The pain was worth it."
When Krishna was declared winner, she waved towards her son as he was jumping in his seat with joy. As soon as the formal event was
over, Lakshaya ran into the round to hug her. Lakshaya, a fourth standard student in Jaipur, went to Delhi to join her
mother on Tuesday afternoon after taking his mathematics examination in the morning in his school.
Krishna, who won bronze medal in Doha Asiad 2006 and silver medal in
Asian championship 2007, is the national champion discus thrower for
last ten years. Krishna will now shift her focus to the Asian Games that are going to be
held China this November. Once again, there will be the pain of separation from her child. |
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Felicitation
ceremony
A felicitation ceremony was organized for Krishna Poonia at Chief
Minister Ashok Gehlot's official residence on 15th October 2010. The
chief Minister had congratulated Krishna Poonia on phone after she
won the Gold medal. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced Rs.15 lakh as reward money for
her achievement. He also announced a reward of Rs. 7.5 lakhs to her
husband and coach Virender Poonia. Ashok Gehlot further
awards to Krishan Poonia includes - a house by
Housing Board , a post of Deputy ASP in Rajasthan Police, 5 laks for
the preparation for the comming London Olympics and a free
lifelong pass for Rajasthan Roadways buses
Krishna Poonia is the only player who brought the laurel for
Rajasthan. Apart from her 8 more players took part in the
Commonwealth Games 2010, but no one could win any medal.
Mountaineer Gaurav sharma of Churu district
For the 26-year-old mountaineer Gaurav Sharma of Churu district,
climbing the highest mountain peak of the world -- Mt Everest --was
a dream come true. Despite all odds, including financial crunch, he
achieved the rare feat and hoisted the Indian flag atop the peak in ay 2009.
Gaurav Sharma climbing the highest mountain
peak of the world -- Mt Everest
Gaurav Sharma hoped that the Rajasthan government which
failed to extend any help during his expedition, will recognize his
efforts after this success. Sixteen months have passed, many
mountaineers from states like Haryana and Maharashtra, have been
rewarded by their respective state governments in the form of land,
cash prize or jobs. Sharma is still running from pillar to post for
recognition by his home states and facing a tough time in making ends meet.
Gaurav Sharma said he has met the chief minister Ashok Gehlot
and all concerned officials but he only got assurances. "After
climbing Everest, I had bigger dreams to climb highest mountain
peaks in all the seven continents but government apathy has killed my enthusiasm," he said.
In February 2010, he was invited by chief minister of Haryana,
Bhupendra Singh Hudda and awarded along with other sportspersons.
Sharma has given training to police and Army personnel of different
states. "What could be more painful than the fact that Haryana
government awarded me with Bharat Gaurav' and I am yet to receive
any formal recognition from my state government," he said.
Speaking about fellow mountaineers, he said that Mamta Sodha,
a young Haryana-based mountaineer groomed by him, was given Rs 3
lakh before Mt Everest expedition and Rs 21 lakh after she
successfully climbed the world's highest peak. Also she has been
appointed deputy superintendent in Haryana police for her
achievement. Similarly, Krishna Patil of Maharashtra was given Rs 30
lakh cash prize by the state government for her feat.
He said the concerned government officials informed him that
there was no such provision of appointment in police in Rajasthan.
But recently Krishna Poonia, also from Churu, has been appointed Dy
SP by the chief minister for her gold winning performance in
Commonwealth Games . "I am still hoping for government's
attention," he added. He further said that budding mountaineers
would be discouraged after seeing the fate of mountaineers in the
state. Apart from his mountaineering achievements, he got the 11th
RED & WHITE Bravery Award in 2003, Adamya Sahas Puruskar at
Chandigarh in 2001 and National Bravery Award at Delhi in 2001
for his life saving acts. Source: The Times of India
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