From wielding a sickle in the field to winning medals in many championships, Prakashi Tomar aka Revolver dadi, is today an inspiration for many. By Unnati Joshi
For 79-year-old Prakashi Tomar, age is just a number. Popularly known as Revolver Dadi, Prakashi, who has won more than 25 national championships in shooting, is one of the oldest woman sharpshooter in the world.
“I was 60 when a shooting range opened in our village. I took my grandson there and started going there every day with him. For a few days I used to just sit and watch. One day, he couldn’t load the gun and I helped him, the coach saw it and said, ‘you can do wonders in it’ and asked me to keep practicing. People used to make fun of me but I didn’t listen to any of them. As soon as I shot my first pistol, I was hooked. That was when I thought I can do it,” she told us.
Soon, she was so good that her first few competitions saw her defeat a Delhi Police Deputy Inspector General (DIG). The cop was so embarrassed, he left before the prize distribution ceremony.
“I played in Uttar Pradesh for a year. Then I went to Delhi and played with DIG Dhiraj Singh and won the first prize. Everyone asked him to at least stay for a picture but he was so embarrassed that he left before the prize distribution ceremony,” Prakashi laughed.
Many might think taking shooting at 60 is a bit too late to start but our Revolver dadi refused to think that way. And now she is not just an inspiration but is also a living legend. Her initiative and popularity have boosted the morale of other women and led to a revolution in her village. “I’ve shown everyone that there are no disadvantages to my age or my gender. If you’re focussed you can do anything. My daughter Seema Tomar is an international shooter and my granddaughter is in Punjab police now. She was a shooter herself. Girls are no lesser than boys in fact they are equal to 10 boys. I feel proud of my daughters. I think everyone should let their daughters follow their dreams.
“Today there are 25 women in my village who have stepped out of their traditional homes and train at the rifle club with me,” concluded Revolver dadi.
She participated in Shift Series: Closeted Conversations