Once a gold medalist, this Indian sportstar now works as a labour for survival

Damini wants to pursue her career in Yoga and wishes to become a successful Yoga instructor and serve in her region. She is currently a B. Com first year student and has been performing Yoga for last 9 years

By: Aakash Biswas |
June 30, 2017 2:03 pm

A few das ago the entire world celebrated the International Yoga Day when we saw our Prime Minister Narendra Modi performing Yoga in Lucknow and inspiring the nation to introduce it to their daily routine. However, it’s unfortunate that in India, the people who wish to choose Yoga as a career have to lead a miserable life. Damini Sahoo from Chhattisgarh has recently won the Gold medal in the South Asian Yoga Sports Championship held in Kathmandu, Nepal. She made India proud on an International platform but once she returned home, her life was something else.

As learned from a Dainik Bhaskar report, her parents, Mother Phoolwanteen Sahoo and father Pardeshiram Sahu, are labours and works in their village which is situated about 65 km from Raipur. As per several media reports, ahead of going Nepal to take part in the championship, Damini and her family sought some financial from Chattisgarh’s health and Panchayat & Rural Development Minister, Ajay Chandrakar but the response was negative.

Finally, they had to take a loan of Rs 10,000 at 2 per cent rate of interest and then, Damini could leave for Nepal. After she returned, due to poor financial conditions, the 19-year-old Yoga champion has to join her parents in labour work. Recently, her picture went viral on the social media which forced the chairman of Chhattisgarh State Yoga Association, Sanjay Agrawal to approach her.

As stated by the media reports, she said,”After slogging for 8-10 hours daily I barely earn Rs 100-150. My mother too is a labourer. My father is handicapped with his right hand not working and mostly makes a living by selling balloons.”

Recently, her picture went viral on the social media which forced the chairman of Chhattisgarh State Yoga Association, Sanjay Agrawal to approach her.

Recently, her picture went viral on the social media which forced the chairman of Chhattisgarh State Yoga Association, Sanjay Agrawal to approach her. He visited Damini’s village, met her and assured her of every possible assistance along with making state’s Yoga Ambassador.

South Asian Yoga Sport Championship 2017 winner have to go through poor financial conditions

Damini wants to pursue her career in Yoga and wishes to become a successful Yoga instructor and serve in her region. She said,”The number of the Yoga instructors in her village is very less. Thus, I want to study further and be a Yoga instructor.”

Damini is currently a B. Com first year student and has been performing Yoga for last 9 years. She has also participated in 4 big competitions and has won many prizes.