In the realm of triumph over adversity, conquering the formidable challenges posed by physical limitations stands as an arduous feat. Within the precincts of Rajasthan, three para-swimmers from Jodhpur have transformed their vulnerabilities into formidable strengths, harboring aspirations to claim victory at the pinnacle of sporting excellence—the Olympics.
Despite grappling with disabilities, the two resilient women hailing from the Jodhpur district not only clinched numerous accolades at both national and state levels but also secured gainful employment. Galvanized by their trailblazing journey, a young girl, marred by a childhood road accident, now emerges to actualize her dream of becoming a proficient swimmer.
In the contemporary landscape, Puran assumes the role of a clerk within the health department, her ingress facilitated by the laurels earned through national-level para-swimming competitions. However, unwavering in her dedication, she continues honing her aquatic prowess, allocating four precious hours daily to her rigorous practice regimen. Puran’s adversity stemmed from contracting polio at the tender age of three, resulting in impairment to one of her hands.
The tapestry of Puran’s life unfolds against the backdrop of her father, a laborer contending with a dire cancer diagnosis. Faced with familial counsel urging her to forsake education for agrarian toil, Puran persisted, navigating her academic journey through to the twelfth grade. Despite securing the top spot in her examinations, the coveted Gargi Award remained elusive, reserved exclusively for regular students.
Undeterred, she embarked on a collegiate odyssey, earning the Indira Gandhi Award in her inaugural year of graduation. The accompanying financial bounty found utility in meeting household expenses. Post-graduation, her foray into para swimming commenced at the Gaushala grounds.
Encountering Coach Shera Ram proved transformative, instilling encouragement that catalyzed Puran’s immersion into the aquatic domain. Within a month, she amassed a commendable collection of three gold and silver medals at state-level games, followed by a triumphant outing at the national championship in Udaipur, clinching two gold and one silver medal. Since 2017, Puran’s accolades have burgeoned to over 25 gold medals in state and national championships spanning athletics and swimming. Even post-marriage in 2021, her sporting journey persists, culminating in a coveted government position attributed to her merit in sports. Currently, preparations are in full swing for the upcoming Para Olympics.
Kamala, also afflicted by polio, navigates life with impaired mobility, enduring societal scrutiny. Post the culmination of her tenth-grade education, she found solace in a school catering to specially-abled individuals. It was here that she encountered her swimming mentor, introducing her to the realm of para swimming. Transplanting herself to Jodhpur for training, Kamala’s marriage ensued, devoid of spousal support, teetering on the precipice of dissolution. Amidst ongoing legal battles, her ardor for swimming remains unbroken.
In 2022, Kamala clinched two gold and one bronze medal at the state level, followed by a bronze at the national competition in Guwahati. Armed with national recognition, she secured a position as a grade-3 teacher, pending official commencement. Undeterred, she persists in her daily aquatic endeavors, harboring aspirations to secure a medal for the nation in the Para Olympics.
Jiya’s journey unfolds against the backdrop of a traumatic school bus accident, resulting in the amputation of her hand during her third-grade tenure. Undeterred by adversity, familial encouragement steered Jiya towards embracing the conviction that this was not the culmination of her journey. She pursued her academic pursuits, eventually gravitating towards para sports, with swimming as her chosen discipline. Under the tutelage of para swimming maestro Shera Ram, Jiya’s potential burgeoned.
The annals of Jiya’s achievements commenced in 2016 with a triumphant display, securing two silver and two bronze medals in the Para Athlete State Competition. Subsequent years witnessed her sustained excellence in para swimming competitions, culminating in a triumphant feat of three gold medals at the national level in 2022.
Coach Shera Ram, bearing witness to Jiya’s ascendancy, asserts that the young prodigy, now navigating her academic path in the ninth grade, harbors immense potential poised for extraordinary accomplishments on the grand stage.