One does not need an opinion poll to decide who has emerged as the most popular athlete from the ongoing Paralympics in Paris. One name, many images and a wonderful smile, Sheetal Devi has charmed the world with her exploits in archery. Well before the competition proper had begun, there was a certain amount of intrigue over who this young Indian is and what is so special about her. Sheetal, just 17, has shown on and off the field she is an inspiration to millions as to what one can achieve against all odds.
When Sheetal had shot 703 to send the audience in raptures during her qualification round, images were beamed all over the world. A thin girl, using her leg strength and back strength, and the arrow being released with a thwack in the most unique way, Sheetal had shown that there is nothing called handicap. All those who have followed Para sports for decades are aware about a certain American Matt Stutzman also being ‘armless’ but charming the world with his skills and winning medals galore in the Paralympics. Stutzman is a legend and has been part of four Paralympic campaigns. He turns 41 in December.
In comparison, Sheetal is young, a teenager who smiles and makes us humans forget about pain in life. Hailing from Jammu and Kashmir, that Sheetal lives in the holy city of Katra is an important fact. This is the gateway to the Holy Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, where people from all over the world come to pray. If you go through Sheetal Devi’s X (Twitter) handle, she has posted a picture of herself with the red scarf (chunni) wrapped around her forehead with the words embossed “Jai Mata Di.” Anyone who has been to Vaishno Devi is aware people wear this red scarf as a lucky charm/talisman. “Faith is indeed powerful. Gratitude to Matarani for always being by my side and whose blessings have brought me to this moment,” reads her post. By the side, Sheetal has posted a photo of her bronze medal, which she won in the mixed event with another brilliant archer, Rakesh Kumar.
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Indeed, it needed faith and belief for Sheetal to reach this exalted status so soon. Yes, she should have won a medal in the individual category, but her loss in the quarter-finals was no shame. If anything, the lessons learnt will spur her for more success in future Paralympic campaigns. Today, the Western world is in awe of Sheetal as watching a smiling girl pull off such magic and hit the “Bullseye” is a feat worth watching again and again. For those of us who got to see her in full cry at the Para Asian Games last year in Hangzhou, Sheetal had embraced stardom. That did not mean Sheetal would stay away from the Para Khelo India Games in New Delhi in the bone chilling December, where the common man needed gloves as protection. Sheetal shot in the Khelo India meet also with relish.
For those who idolise stars and want to emulate them, Sheetal is a perfect example. Today, Indian society is slowly waking up to how important it is to treat people with any disability at par. Be it workplaces, there are jobs for them and in no way are they less competent. The success stories of Indian Para athletes from Paris and Chateauroux and the bulging medal haul is grabbing headlines. Sheetal may not have won a gold medal but her success and efforts are bound to motivate so many people. Surely, one did not need BBC and New York Times to create an interest in Sheetal.
She has been there in the limelight for well over a year. And for all the athletes, able-bodied and the Para-athlete, Sheetal competing so fiercely and absorbing pressure is a sign she can win medals and hearts. For the girl child in India and women at large in India, Sheetal is the face of dealing with challenges and emerging as a champion. No wonder, her videos have stormed the internet and every celebrity on social media has posted Sheetal competing so majestically with pride.
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