Every day we have choices, millions of choices. However, we make those choices that will lead us to where we want to head.
Nothing exists in this world which is not achievable.
Indian women hockey team's star striker Rani Rampal had a vision while growing up. A very simple dream.
The 21-year-old forward from Shahabad, Haryana comes from a very poor background. Her father was a cart-puller. So, while growing up she had to take a call on whether to follow her passion which was to play hockey or to make her parents happy by taking responsibility of the family.
She chose both.
The path to becoming a champion is paved by great sacrifices. So, I got the chance to ask her about the sacrifices she had to make in order to get to the top.
Her answers were very enlightening. She looked at me and shared some deep and personal answers.
‘People thought I will bring a bad name to the family’
Rani made her senior debut when she was 15. She was a part of the bronze-medal winning side at the Junior World Cup in 2013. Now still just 21, she is one of the most important members of the squad.
But things were not so smooth for her when she started playing. "In my neighborhood, people asked my parents to not let me wear shorts and play hockey. They felt I might bring a bad name to the family," Rani said.
"But, I told my parents to give me once chance to prove," she added.
Rani's parents agreed and enrolled her in the Shahabad Hockey Academy. Little did her father realize that she would go on to become an internationally reputed hockey player.
Sacrifice of her parents
Her success brings to the fore the strong support system she enjoyed. They have made many sacrifices for her so that she can reach where she is now.
She said, "My parents have been such a pillar of support throughout my career. They have taken a lot of pain to ensure my hockey doesn't get derailed. I owe a lot of my success to them."
It was their sacrifice which has seen the Haryana-based hockey player to represent the national team today.
Also read: For the Indian women's hockey team, every opposition is beatable
"I was very lucky many times in my life. But because of finance issues, he was not able to finance me much," Rani said in a choked voice.
But Rani was adamant on playing hockey and she did exactly that. "Initially, I started with Rs 12,000 salary with Railways. It was not enough to look after my family and I was not happy," said Rani.
But then the Sports Authority of India (SAI) gave her a job in this field only. "I am grateful to Hockey India and SAI for what they have for me," she said.
With success, there are many things that can change
Newton's Third Law tells us, "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction."
Her father's sacrifice was quite unusual considering the background she comes from. She said, "I will never forget their sacrifice. So, when I do something well, I want to share it with them."
"I had a dream of building a house for my parents once I start earning. It will be completed by the end of this year," said an elated Rani.
It was not a sacrifice. It was a choice. And the rewards, whether it be the success or simply personal satisfaction, is always worth it.
So, it's always safe to be careful with what you wish for because you may just get it.
Making history in August
Exactly after 100 days, Rani Rampal will line up for her first match at the Rio Olympics 2016 and will be making history.
In the 36 years that women’s hockey has been included in the Olympics, India has never qualified. Her family is excited about Rio as much as she is.
"Nothing more is bigger for an athlete than bagging a medal at the biggest sporting event in the world and we are determined to not let our country down," concluded Rani.
