Tejeswini deserves a better deal

BANGALORE: V Tejeswini Bai. Rings a bell? Well, if you recall the Indian women team’s performance in the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, you might remember her.The Karnataka girl captained the Indian team to the gold medal.She also led the country to win the gold medal in the SAF Games the same year in Bangladesh.Tejeswini, a grade II officer in the South Central Railway, has represented India from 2005 to 2010 and captained the team for four years.The Cambridge School student, who comes from humble beginnings lost her father.Her mother, brother and a sister supported her and she soon excelled in kabaddi to eventually carve out a name for herself in the game.A native and resident of Bangalore, Tejeswini was given the state’s Ekalavya Award 2006.Her achievements at the International level saw her become the first Karnataka women to be conferred with the Arjuna Award.She received the same from President Parthiba Patil on August 29 this year.The Karnataka government got into overdrive to honour athlete Vikas Gowda for his Asiad bronze medal show, apart from naming him for the Rajyotsava Award.Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda also announced a huge cash award for the four Karnataka players who were part of the Asian Champions Trophy winning Indian hockey team.BDA sites were announced for Indian cricketers.But as it often happens, the lone and the first woman Kabaddi player being conferred with the nation’s sporting honour has remained unnoticed.No one has come forward to even organise a felicitation function for Tejeswini.For her achievement, Tejeswini surely deserves better recognition.The Department of Youth Services and Sports witnesses Directors and Commissioners come and go in a sort of procession.None know what Karnataka’s sportspersons achieve.Sports persons from other states are recognised far more quickly and rewarded.We have examples of sportspersons who have possibly never even represented Karnataka but have got the best of facilities.It is time someone does something for someone like Tejeswini.“When she won the gold medal, the state government gave her a cheque of `10 lakh as was decided,” said Appachu, DySS Joint Director.“I have applied for a BDA site and will approach the CM to help me,” Tejeswini told City Express.“I am very proud that I had the honour of becoming the first woman from Karnataka to be given the Arjuna Award.I am not the kind to complain about not being felicitated,” said Tejeswini.One hopes the CM takes the cue and honours Tejeswini at least in his chambers if not publicly.

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