GOLDEN GIRL
The 18-year-old from Assam becomes the first Indian athlete to win a major international track event
It was an unheralded victory, but when a young girl from Dhing, Assam, powered to the finish line in the Women’s 400 metres at the World Junior Athletics Championships in Tampere, Finland, India was transfixed. Das’s dominant form was startling, but so was the realisation that this was the first—the first!—outright victory by an Indian athlete in a major international track event. There were celebrations and moist eyes, followed by internet fame—and every form of desi nosiness, most notoriously about Das’s caste and regional ethnicity. But if we are like that only, the young runner displayed an unusual calm and level-headed confidence about her achievement and sudden fame. Excerpts from an interview with Kazu Ahmed
Q. What were your thoughts after you won the race?
A. I don’t think about anything while running. The only things I look for, and hear, are the word “set” and the bang of the gun firing.
We had prepared well. I was sure I would get a medal. I had even got the flag and the gamocha (Assamese towel) and given it to sir after the race. But to break a record, create history, it was beyond my wildest dreams. As an Indian athlete and an Assamese girl, I consider myself extremely
fortunate. And the fact that I could, along with the national flag, introduce the gamocha to the world, fills me with pride.
Q. Your story is so inspiring, a village girl from a farming family creating history. It’s inspired a feeling in India that anyone can achieve anything...
A. It’s all true. But as far as my background is concerned, there are many aspects to it. Yes, we are a family of farmers. But my father is also a graduate and has been to the ITI (Indian Technical Institute). If he still had his documents and certificates, he could have been an engineer with the Indian Railways. Unfortunately, he lost his documents in a fire and then he lost interest in getting a job.
We are a joint family. About 17 of us live and eat together in our house. We have about 60 bighas of land, and cultivate several crops through the year. We have fish ponds where we have fish. In that sense, I have never faced any hardship while growing up. We are quite comfortably off. What people know is only 40 per cent of what I am. I will tell my story, what I am and where I have come from, when the time is right and after I have achieved my goals. Now, it’s time to work.
Q. Do you want to tell us a bit about it?
A. (Laughs) You all know a bit. I have said that I was very
mischievous, headstrong and a bit of a bodmash (hellraiser). If I set my eyes on something, I would do it, as long as I knew it wouldn’t harm anyone.
Q. Who called you first after you won?
A. I made the first call, to my coaches in Assam, Nipon Das sir and Nabajit Malakar sir. After that, I called my parents.
Q. What was your parents’ reaction? A. They were not really aware of what was happening. When I called them, they were going to bed. I had also not told them I had come for a world event. When they said they were going to bed, I said, “OK! Go, sleep! I have taken on the world and you folks keep on sleeping!” They asked what had happened. I told them they would know in the morning.
The next morning, my father went to the market to sell the gourds from our farm. Then he saw the convoy of cars from TV channels speeding through our village. He was like, “Xorbonax aji (Oh, dear!).” When cars from the TV channels take that road, they usually go to our place. Finally, they got to know (laughs). I feel very proud and fortunate.
Q. You have travelled to many countries now. Any interesting observations or thoughts so far?
A. A major problem I face is food. Every country has its food culture which does not necessarily agree with me. So I have to find the right food sometimes. But I manage. It isn’t such a big deal. In Prague, where we are training, there is a cook. So we get what we want. There are no problems there. I did find rice here (in Tampere), though. And fish.
Q. Your thoughts on the athletes from other countries? A. Nothing concerns me other than my time. That is my only concern. I don’t pay any attention to the rest. I run after time. If that improves, the gold, silver etc. will follow. I do not fear anything. My goal always is to give my best time. People ask me why I do not feel nervous. I don’t. I believe in time and in God. Nothing else bothers me. It is as simple as that.
Q. And what plans for the future?
A. The next big thing is the Asian Games a month from now. That is the priority now. Let us see what happens there. We will put in our best effort to score the best timing (waves at track legend P.T. Usha who is walking by).
Q. And beyond the Asian Games?
A. The ultimate dream of an athlete is to compete in the Olympics. For us athletes, that is the zenith. There is nothing beyond that. I hope I will get a chance to compete in the Olympics. I’ll try to get the best time scores to qualify. I have been in the global sporting arena for only two years now. I am not saying I will always get a medal. But my consistent effort is to give my best time, and if I can do that, it will certainly be possible to compete (in the Olympics). That is the dream.
“Nothing concerns me other than my time. That is my only concern. I pay no attention to the rest”