Seema’s service for Kerala flood victims
JAKARTA: Discus thrower Seema Punia donated ~1 lakh as well as her allowances from Asian Games to help the people affected by floods in Kerala. She also made an impassioned plea to the entire Indian contingent to donate liberally for the cause.
“It is my humble plea to every Indian sportsperson and official here to donate at least 50% of his or her earnings from the Jakarta and Palembang Asian Games so that we can make a small contribution to alleviate their sufferings,” said Seema after winning bronze on the concluding day of the athletics competition here.
“As for me, I have decided to donate ~1 lakh to the victims and also my earnings here, which would total around $700-800,” said Seema, who added she would be flying to Kerala to do seva (community service) for those displaced by floods. “Imagine their plight,” said Seema.
“I am suffering from severe pain in my right foot because of a spur in my heel. But my duty first is towards my country and once I am back from Kerala, I will undergo surgery to remove the spur,” said Seema, adding that her next competition will be the Asian Championships (at Qatar). “I will have plenty of time to recover from the surgery to be fit for the Asian Championships.”
On her performance, she said: “I could have broken my personal record today had I got my first throw over 60-61 metres. That didn’t happen.”