Yesterday, the Indian women’s hockey team created history by securing a spot in the hockey semifinals at the Tokyo Olympics for the very first time. It is a proud moment for us as a nation and truth be told, the feeling is yet to sink in. The elation knows no bounds, and to so many of us, it feels like a personal win at the moment. Here’s why:
The Chak De Moment That We Longed For
Chak De India became a huge rage instantly after releasing back in 2007. There was something about the film that spoke to every Indian. A wave of happiness would run through theatres every time the audience watched the Indian team winning in the film. It wasn’t just a film, it was a feeling.
No wonder that the film has a separate fan base to date. Naturally, the Indian women’s hockey team’s quarterfinal win legit feels like a real-life Chak De moment right now. It is actually happening and it feels so surreal to witness all of it IRL!
Hockey Is Getting The Attention It Deserves
What would make us happier than the fact that our national sport is finally getting the attention it deserves. This is for the very first time in the history of Indian hockey that the women’s team has qualified for the semi-finals in Olympics. Everyone is suddenly looking at hockey as a sport that definitely deserves more attention than it has received in the past couple of decades. Things are changing, and here’s hoping that hockey starts enjoying as much favour and attention as cricket.
Maari Chhoriya Chhoro Se Kam Hai Ke
The team has effectively proven that women can excel in every sport that men can excel in. This is an important message for a nation that is constantly cheering for men athletes and sportspersons. When it comes to sports, our women are no less than their male counterparts and deserve the same respect, support, and infrastructure to fuel their dreams.
Time To Send Our Simrans Out & Let Them Live Their Zindagis
Indian women hockey team player Vandana Katariya was constantly discouraged from playing as a little girl. She was told that playing hockey was ‘unbecoming of a girl’. However, instead of listening to any of that she’d go and practice at hidden spots. And guess what she used as her hockey stick? Tree branches! There came a time when everyone realised that she was way more serious about the sport than they had anticipated. However, just when everyone was pushing her to drop hockey, she found the much-needed support in her dad who himself had been a wrestler in the past. Well, his support has clearly paid off. And while Vandana’s father is no more, he has left behind an important message—let your girls go out and play because while you might now realise it, history might be in the making.
Dreams Do Come True
The majority of the team members hail from humble backgrounds & have proven that everything is possible. For instance, skipper Rani Rampal has come a long way from playing with broken hockey sticks to becoming the youngest player in the national women’s hockey team. Salima Tete hails from Badkichapar in Jharkhand’s Simdega, which happens to be one of the worst Naxalism-affected districts in the state. Savita Punia has an equally inspiring story. As a young girl, she used to travel 30 km every day from her village for training. Despite the challenges and hardships, these girls have persevered.
The past year and a half have been a challenging time for the nation and this win has done a lot to cheer up our spirits. It really gives us hope that anything is possible and that the good times will come soon.
Lastly, it is always a proud moment to see your country win, right?
Featured Image: Twitter
