Ace archer Deepika Kumari, 21, has made Jharkhand proud again. This time, however, being in the list of one of the highest civilian awards recipients. The Government of India on Monday announced names of Padma Awardees and Deepika Kumari is on the list of Padma Shri awardees. After receiving the Arjuna award in 2012, Deepika has become Jharkhand's youngest person to receive the prestigious honour.
She has won bronze medal, three times beating world's best archers in the World Archery Championship and carved niche for archery in sports realm. "It's really a happy moment for her and each person of the State. But she has to take motivation from this recognition and set her goals even higher to get more awards. She has to set her eyes on the Olympics too," said Deepika's Coach Poornima Mahto.
"We are thrilled, our sacrifice and her determination has brought her this award. Today, she has proved her worth by grabbing the prestigious honour," said Geeta Devi, mother of ace archer. But the journey of 'golden girl' was not easy, hailing from one of the backward states where even ample facilities are not available for sportsperson, its hard to imagine a person representing country at international arena.
Proud parents, Shivnarayan Mahto who still drives an auto to earn his livelihood and Geeta Devi who serves as a nurse at community health centre (CHC) at Ratu block have witnessed several ups and down and seen Kumari transforming from a simple small town girl to a leading internationally acclaimed sportsperson, who has come a long way fighting all odds.
Kumari started practicing archery at an age of 11 and had joined the elite club of sportsperson in 2006 after joining the professional archers at Tata Archery Academy in Jamshedpur.
"Her passion for games was seen at an age of 11, when she first witnessed the sport event at her cousin school at lohardaga. She was so passionate that she started practising archery using homemade bamboo bows and arrows, as we were not financially well off to provide her with latest archery equipments but looking at her desire and passion, we approached Meera Munda, wife of former Chief Minister Arjun Munda, who runs Arjun Archery Academy at Kharsawan, Saraikela. But unfortunately, Deepika did not qualify the test in the beginning. But my daughter urged Meera Munda that if she is unable to prove herself, her institute can drop her after three months," her mother said.
"Her covetousness for game has earned her this position today. If I talk about the status of sportsperson, I can only say that Jharkhand has never been kind and offered support to budding players. At this stage, I can only say that it demoralizes the morale of a sportsperson," she added.
Being a brand ambassador of two vital government projects, Sulabh International and Election Commission of India, it is worth mentioning here that Kumari's abode is left in all mess, as there is no proper maintenance of drainage, flowing just next to the residence. However, allotment of land has been completed and only land registration procedure is pending, which will be completed soon in the near future.
Kumari is also trying to balance her studies along with the archery. Stating about her studies, Shivnarayan Mahto, Kumari's father, said, "She is juggling between her studies and sports activities. Presently she is pursuing bachelor degree in arts from Premchandra College."
Keeping the rest priorities aside, both Geeta Devi and Shivnarayan Mahto are trying hard to provide their children all basic amenities and fulfill all their aspirations. "We want our kids to lead a dignified life; my younger daughter too has chosen to be an archer like Deepika whereas my son is studying in class 8 at Sapphire International. Things have changed but still there is a long way to go," added Mahto.
Inspite of glory and much applaud which Kumari has received at both national and international dome, the proud parents are continuing with their respective professions as an auto-rickshaw driver and paramedic. "Our job is our source of income and cannot leave it, just because my daughter has made name for herself and people will taunt us. People and government will not give us money to survive. I feel proud when I ply my auto from Ratu to Ranchi and commuters denote me with respect and say 'Aap Deepika ke papa hai na' (You are Archer Deepika Kumari fatherIJ)," Mahto asserted with a smile and pride.
With the hope to promote archery in state, especially among the girls, Kumari wants to open a sports academy to guide the budding talents. "It is essential to tap the talent to further promote archery but the dream can only be achieved, if we receive support from every section of society especially from the government," said Geeta Devi.