BHUBANESWAR: Since childhood, Orissa’s woman sprinter Saraswati Chand has been dreaming to represent the country one day and win two square meals a day for her nine-member family. It is her untiring efforts and dedication that she has successfully represented her country twice in the World Police and Fire Games.
Earlier this week, Chand, a Havildar with Jajpur Police, won two gold medals and a bronze at the 14th World Police and Fire Games in New York. Currently participating in the games, she is expected to add a few more medals to her kitty. ‘‘I always longed to win medals for the country. But I had not imagined that I would win,” she says.
This is the second time that a police woman from Orissa has brought laurels to the state and the country. Two years ago at the 13th World Police and Fire Games, held at British Columbia, Canada, she had landed six medals including two gold in 200 and 400 meter sprint, three silvers and one bronze.
All the success have been hard-earned for the 29-year-old. She has been a consistent performer in the national circuit as well. From the junior levels to the senior, and from police games to exhibition competitions, she has been miles ahead of others.
Chand has given her blood and sweat for all this. Eldest among the seven siblings, including six sisters, Chand also happens to be the sole bread-earner of the family.
Her mother Akhuji Chand, who belongs to Chakagopalpur village under Dharmasala block of Jajpur, beams with pride at the mention of her daughter. “She has been carrying the load of the whole family, sacrificing her life but has never complained. Despite being the eldest of the daughters, she remains single so that she could take care of the family,” she said.
From her young days, Chand nursed the dream of being an athlete. She would practice hours on end on the bank of the Brahmani. “Much as she wanted to be an athlete, she also wanted a job given the large family,” says her father Chakradhar Chand.
Her relentless efforts paid off. But she still works as a havildar and assurance of an out-of-turn promotion has not yet materialised. Inspired by her, Duti, one of her younger sisters, has made it to the national podium in athletics, bagging medals regularly in the junior circuit.
Chand’s coach Sailendra Prasanna Burma is optimistic that she will go on to win more in the days to come given her hardwork.