Until recently, Indian shooting was going through a financial conundrum of sorts. Despite earning several laurels on the international stage, the sport didn’t come under the purview of subsidies, making it inaccessible to the common man. Affiliation to the Army or clubs was the only way to guarantee a consistent source of practice.
The core problem was the high price of equipment. India didn’t manufacture any of the bullets or rifles within its geographical proximity, so the goods had to be imported. Shooters would end up spending close to Rs. 5,000-10,000 in one practice session.
It is only in the last two years that the government and National Rifle Authority of India (NRAI) have introduced subsidies on such equipment.
The lack of assistance earlier also meant that several aspiring shooters had to give up the sport due to the rising expenses. One such example is former Gujarat state champion Pushpa Gupta. The 22-year-old still aspires to return to shooting, but financial pressure has forced her to sell noodles on the streets.
From National Championships to unknown entity
Speaking exclusively to Sportskeeda, Pushpa said, “I started this stall in 2014 to raise funds for my shooting career. Previously I was in the National Cadet Corps (NCC), hence they took care of all my cost. However, once I left it after two years, I realised that it wasn’t possible for me to continue. My father told me that he will not be able to take care of the cost involved. Hence, I decided to start this shop.”
In 2013, Pushpa was first introduced to the sport in the most unlikely manner. Having seen a few seniors shooting during a sports camp, she immediately decided she wanted to give it a shot. She said, “I didn’t think twice, because there were other sports, but shooting is a game of patience and accuracy, I felt I possessed those skills the most.”
During her time in NCC, Pushpa won three gold medals at the organisation’s meet. A strong performance at the nationals for the military outfit saw her win two gold medals in the 50m rifle 3 and prone position. This secured her a spot for the Gujarat state team for the 49th National Shooting Championship.
Things looked on the up, with several coaches from around the country willing to coach Pushpa. However, once the two-year course came to an end, she realised the grave reality.
She said, “My father had lost his job and my brother was in school, so I had no option but to stop shooting. When I was at home, I used to become increasingly restless about my willingness to shoot. That’s when I decided that I really need to do something about it.”
After a year away from the sport, she started selling noodles on the street. But Pushpa’s street cart is no ordinary one; medals hang from each of the corners, highlighting her achievements on the national level.
She added, “I don’t keep these medals here to show off; my main aim is to stay motivated. Everytime I think it’s time to quit, I see those medals and remember that the money I earn from this will help me secure my shooting future.”
I have to spend Rs 5 lakh a year; starting this shop was an attempt to raise those funds: Pushpa
Speaking about the cost involved with participating in the sport, Pushpa insisted that it is still extremely difficult to pursue it. She said, “For me the rifle costs at least Rs 50,000, after that the club fees is involved, that is around Rs 6,000 only for access to a range. It costs Rs 25 to Rs 30 per round, so you can imagine how much we spend in just one practice session. Then come the tournaments, so a round estimate of my cost would Rs 5 lakh annually.”
Pushpa also spoke about the conservative opinions about her working on the streets. She added, “People kept saying, ‘How can a girl work on the road? Standing outside for so long?’ But my father knew what I wanted and didn’t listen to the society. Now, after so long I’m on the verge of making it back.”
She went on, “During the national camp, I used to come back home for one day and the entire neighbourhood termed me a bad girl for not staying at home.”
The former National Championship stalwart has now started a crowd-funding campaign in an attempt to return to mainstream shooting. Her father Dinesh Kumar said, “I’m very sure that if she didn’t stop, she would be one of the top 50m rifle shooters in the country. It is unfortunate that I was forced to do so. But now her brother will also start working, so that we can support her dream.”
The Chinese food cart has also finally broken even, and things are once again looking on the up for Pushpa. She said, “I am planning on returning to the shooting range, however, I feel I need a consistent source of income to return to where I was and then move on further. That is why I planned on this crowd-funding campaign.”
Kumar added, “Women’s empowerment has been a priority for Shri Narendra Modi’s campaign. So why is it that my daughter is suffering so much, despite being a state champion? The Sports Ministry has taken my request, but is yet to revert. The Chief Minister is also a woman, so I don’t understand why a case such as this in his home state can't be dealt with quicker.”
With the Rio Olympics just three months away, the re-initiation of Pushpa’s dream will certainly embolden the country’s Olympic spirit.
To help Pushpa achieve her dream you can donate here.
