Who's the real winner here? [Asha didi's story]
Posted: August 10th, 2019, 12:44 pm
"Asha...didi...Asha...didi..."
The kids' chants from the public sports ground pulled me to take a closer look.
It was the annual inter-school athletics meet, and the under 14 girls 600 meter finals were on.
One girl was clearly in the lead. She was tall, athletic and had obviously trained hard for this day.
I asked one of the cheering girls if that was Asha didi.
'No, that's Asha didi,' she said pointing at the shortest girl in the race who was a distant third behind the leader, huffing and puffing to complete the race.
Her amateurish technique and overall body language got me concerned. She looked completely exhausted.
I was worried if she'd fall before reaching the finish line.
But her classmates' cheering seemed to infuse new energy into her.
In the last 50 meters, she moved into second position.
On crossing the line, she collapsed on the grass panting for breath.
All the kids around me rushed to congratulate her, offer water, free leg massage...and (unintentionally) sucked out all the oxygen around her when she most needed it.
Her rival and the clear winner was lying on the grass a few meters away, with only her coach next to her to celebrate her victory.
Albeit on a small scale, I had just witnessed the power of support and encouragement.
She didn't win the race, but a very happy Asha didi went home a hero today!
The kids' chants from the public sports ground pulled me to take a closer look.
It was the annual inter-school athletics meet, and the under 14 girls 600 meter finals were on.
One girl was clearly in the lead. She was tall, athletic and had obviously trained hard for this day.
I asked one of the cheering girls if that was Asha didi.
'No, that's Asha didi,' she said pointing at the shortest girl in the race who was a distant third behind the leader, huffing and puffing to complete the race.
Her amateurish technique and overall body language got me concerned. She looked completely exhausted.
I was worried if she'd fall before reaching the finish line.
But her classmates' cheering seemed to infuse new energy into her.
In the last 50 meters, she moved into second position.
On crossing the line, she collapsed on the grass panting for breath.
All the kids around me rushed to congratulate her, offer water, free leg massage...and (unintentionally) sucked out all the oxygen around her when she most needed it.
Her rival and the clear winner was lying on the grass a few meters away, with only her coach next to her to celebrate her victory.
Albeit on a small scale, I had just witnessed the power of support and encouragement.
She didn't win the race, but a very happy Asha didi went home a hero today!