• Long accused of having a hyper conservative social structure, Haryana’s women athletes have done Bharat proud, be it in shooting, wrestling or cricket. State governments, across parties, have supported sports in a big way too. Their stories are a testament to the transformative power of sports.

Haryana, a state in northern India, has long been perceived through the lens of traditional stereotypes. Accused OF a hyper conservative social structure, where gender roles are supposed to be rigidly defined, perceptions of the state create an image of patriarchal dominance and limited opportunities for women.

This is a stark contrast to many other states where women are supposed to be in a much better position, but end up producing few global champions. Barring a few prominent exceptions like P V Sindhu and Jwala Gutta of Telangana, Deepika Palikkal of Tamil Nadu, Anju Bobby George, Shiny Wilson and PT Usha of Kerala, and Ashwini Nachappa, Joshna Chinappa and Ashwini Ponappa of Karnataka (interestingly all Kodavas from Kodagu), the field seems to be almost entirely, barring cricket and hockey, dominated by women from Haryana.

Achievements of Haryana's women athletes in international sporting events including the Olympics have challenged and redefined these long-held perceptions. 

How is it that a conservative society consistently produces global champions in a variety of sports?

There are several layers to the answer, and definitely merit a detailed answer. 

The Rise of Haryana's Women Athletes Is Not Exactly Recent

Many would be surprised when I point out that the first woman athlete to win an Olympic medal for India was from Haryana.

Jog your memory, and you might recall that Karnam Malleswari, the weightlifter who saved India the blushes in the 2000 Sydney Olympics with her bronze medal, is a bahu of Haryana. The Srikakulam born weightlifter who is married to Rajesh Tyagi, was recognised for her achievement when an award of ₹25 lakh was announced for her by the then Chief Minister of Haryana Mr. Om Prakash Chautala. 

This was a first of its kind announcement in the country in fact for women athletes in general, as most of them had barely seen any state support across the country, forget Haryana. While controversy has followed both of them, the seeds for inspiration were in fact sowed in this very moment.

Over the past few decades, Haryana has emerged as a powerhouse of sports in India, so it is not entirely surprising that women achievers are also emerging in the sports arena. Their journey from the fields of Haryana to the global stage of the Olympics is a testament to their grit and determination. Life in Haryana used to be tough, and with a largely rural and agrarian background in the past, it is no surprise that women too were working in the fields and engaging in daily rural life tasks.

These activities lay the foundation for physical and mental resilience, where toughness is respected irrespective of gender.

Wrestling - One of the most notable figures in this transformation is Sakshi Malik, who made history by winning a bronze medal in wrestling at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Her victory not only brought pride to India but also highlighted the potential of women athletes from Haryana. Sakshi's triumph was symbolic. It showcased that women, too, could excel in sports traditionally dominated by men. Of course, this was in a series of visible achievements of women wrestlers from the state. The Phogat sisters have won many medals, spurred by the intense training that their father Mahabir Phogat ensured for them.

Cricket - Here, the story of Shafali Verma also stands out. Today, right hand opening batsman of the Indian women’s cricket team, this girl from Rohtak struggled to get admission into a coaching academy because of her gender. Her father decided to cut her hair short, and a nine year old girl went to the academy to train along with boys, her real identity hidden. It was her father, a jewellery shop owner who could not pursue his own cricketing dream that empowered Shefali, who gave her the much needed backing. As captain of the Under 19 women team, she led India to victory in the inaugural T20 World Cup.  

Indian Women who blazed a trail. 3 are from Haryana. Courtesy HindustanTimes. 

Social Resilience of Haryana and the Cultural Impact

Their story, especially finding ways to train the sisters in a difficult environment, highlights something remarkable about Haryana’s society. That is the people are practical, solution oriented who recognise the need to provide a suitable nurturing environment to talent whenever spotted. 

This even meant putting children’s talent over themselves, as one would see in the case of Savita Punia, the celebrated Indian woman hockey player who was compelled to take hockey seriously when her father bought a twenty thousand rupee hockey kit for her, an expense that came at much personal cost.

Not to be left behind are women making a mark at the Asian level in track and field events for e.g. Seema Antil Punia is a discus thrower who won medals at many a international competition, which laid the seeds for someone like Neeraj Chopra to come through, as he would visit these facilities and try working on the 400m race before picking up the javelin to become a legend.

This cultural trait in Haryanvis is also seen even in other geographies.

Saina Nehwal, the Olympic champion of badminton, also hails from a Haryanvi family. Similarly, we also have Manipur’s Mary Kom who mostly trained at Hisar in Haryana as part of the selection camp in 200. Her association with the state has made her a symbol of women's empowerment in the region. Her presence also triggered many a woman boxer’s emergence within the state from the famed mini Cuba of India, Bhiwani.

The children and their coaches today have seen the merit in sports, and will go to any length to seek exposure for improvement. This level of resilience is a rare trait to possess - sleeping on platforms of railway stations or living in ramshackle private ‘academies’ because it is in the hub of a sport that is producing champions away from home are not easy decisions. 

And yet, in a society that otherwise saw gender imbalance, this practicality of the parents showed that there is so much to celebrate about the state of Haryana, and the sharp improvement in gender ratio over the past decade shows the determination of its people to set right what it feels is wrong socially.

Another important factor that certainly plays an influence is the impact of the spiritual moorings on the psyche of the players.

Manu Bhaker’s mother, a retired principal, holds a masters’ degree in Sanskrit. Haryana is one of the few states that still produces a significant number of Sanskrit scholars, thanks to its celebration of its heritage as the land of Hari and the educational and spiritual influences of the Arya Samaj Movement. This led to access to spiritual learning that has greatly enhanced the spiritual leanings of the masses at large. 

At Jyotisar in Haryana. It is here that Sri Krishna recited the Holy Gita to Arjuna. Pic by author. 

It is well known now that Manu Bhaker sought refuge in the Srimad Bhagavad Gita when she was struggling in the mind. Surely her mother had a role in understanding the lessons of nishkaam karma that are imbued in the grand text.

Many people also have strong belief in the Sanatani culture and have used it to augment their physical regimes alongside their spiritual pursuit.

For instance, the famous inaugural T20 cricket World Cup winning team member Joginder Sharma built stamina by undertaking the harsh kanwar yatra from Haridwar to offset the lack of finances for training in a proper gym. International kabaddi star Abhisek Narwal still undertakes the rigorous Dak kanwar regime as an expression of his devotion to Lord Shiva. Today, many women athletic aspirants also undertake kanwar yatras to build endurance and stamina like their male counterparts, as witnessed across the traditional journey routes from Haridwar to various parts of Haryana.

Wrestler Babita Kumari 

The Role of Government and Institutions

The case of Bhiwani in particular highlights a rather important feature of Haryana. The role of the state government, irrespective of the political regime at helm, created the infrastructure to encourage sports culture across the state.

Fitness was an important feature for Haryana for more than two centuries, thanks to the economic necessity of the armed forces being a source of pride and income for the countless families of the state. However, the governments also recognised the complimentary potential of sports as a means of empowerment, as Haryana soldiers started to perform well in domestic and limited international sports circuits as well.

Legends like Captain Hawa Singh, who hailed from Bhiwani set the ball rolling, while in other more conventional domains like cricket, Kapil Dev obtained legendary status.

The Haryana government has worked to implement various initiatives to support athletes. Building facilities across sports levels from scratch and maintaining them through financial support for maintenance and operational expenses has ensured that facilities function. On the other side, the state has also thrown open these facilities at nominal rates to all children, ensuring that no child is left behind. Incentives are also available for medal winners at all levels, including scholarships, training facilities, and financial incentives.

The Haryana Sports and Physical Fitness Policy, introduced in 2015, worked to create a conducive environment for sports in the state. The policy focused on identifying talent at a young age and providing them with the necessary infrastructure and support to excel. This proactive approach has played a significant role in nurturing the talent of women athletes in the state.

Sports academies and training centers in Haryana have also been instrumental in the rise of women athletes.

Institutions like the Chhotu Ram Stadium in Rohtak and the Sir Chhotu Ram Boxing Academy have provided world-class training facilities and coaching. These centers have become breeding grounds for champions, offering young athletes the opportunity to hone their skills and compete at international levels.

A Broader Impact

The impact of Haryana's women athletes extends beyond the realm of sports. Their achievements are influencing other areas of society, including education and employment. As role models, they are encouraging more girls to pursue education and professional careers. Schools and colleges in Haryana are increasingly promoting sports and extracurricular activities, recognizing their importance in holistic development. 

Furthermore, the success of these athletes is fostering a sense of pride and unity in the state. In a region often divided by caste and community lines, sports have become a unifying force for the chhattees baradari (36 communities). The victories of women athletes are celebrated across Haryana, transcending social and economic barriers. This collective pride is crucial for building a more inclusive and progressive society.

Conclusion

The journey of Haryana's women athletes from the fields of their villages to the Olympic podium is a powerful narrative of change and empowerment. Their achievements are challenging long-held stereotypes and inspiring a new generation of girls to dream big. As Haryana continues to support and nurture its sporting talent, the state is not only producing world-class athletes but also paving the way for a more equal and progressive society.

In the broader context, the success of these athletes is a reminder that talent and determination can transcend societal barriers.

Their stories are a testament to the transformative power of sports and the potential for change in even the most traditional societies. As Haryana's women athletes continue to shine on the global stage, they are rewriting the narrative of their state and setting new benchmarks for what is possible.

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