Not so long ago, the country feted three young women for fetching medals in the Olympics. At once, there was glimmer of hope. Yet, for scores of young girls in mofussils, dreams should ride on little more than mere hope.
Some time this October, young R. Devi Priya, will have to don a pristine white uniform made from quality fabric, in order to participate in the national judo championships to be held in Telangana. Devi Priya, from Krishnagiri Government Girls Higher Secondary School will be fighting in the under-14 category.
S.Chellakili and M.Kalaivani will also be representing the school and the State in the under 19 category in the national level judo championships in January 2017 in New Delhi.
These young girls have plodded their way to the judo championships at the divisional-level and the State-level – on borrowed judo uniforms.
Krishnagiri government girls higher secondary school, has over the years, produced an average of two to three qualifiers for the nationals each year.
“There are participants from other schools, mostly private schools and we borrow uniforms from them. Even uniforms of boys are used in need,” says Arokiamary, Physical Education Teacher.
The school has two judo uniforms. One was stitched from ordinary cloth for Rs.1,500 and the other was bought, when faced with disqualification in a national championship in Pune three years ago.
“In 2012-13 national championships in Pune, we had four participants from our school. In Pune, they were very rigid with the uniform and did not allow us to participate with the uniform we had. I borrowed Rs.3,000 from some teacher there and bought a uniform.”
“If we had 10 uniforms, it would help students use it every year, and it will part of our sports facility,” says Arokiyamary.
At a UNICEF’s caravan campaign targeted against child marriage here, when asked Devi Priya what her dream was.
“My father is a driver, but I want to become a doctor,” she told The Hindu .
