Rising from a humble background in Sangrur’s Gandhuan village, 23-year-old Rashdeep Kaur has been selected to represent India at a world relay event in South Africa, where she will compete in the 4×400m mixed category.
The only woman athlete from Punjab in the relay squad alongside teammates from Uttar Pradesh and Kerala, Rashdeep’s journey is not just about speed on the track, but sacrifice and unwavering belief.
Born to a small farmer owning just two acres, Rashdeep’s early years were marked by financial hardships.
Her mother Gurpinder Kaur recalls the struggle of ensuring even a basic diet during her daughter’s training days. “We didn’t have much, but we never let her dreams die,” she shared.
Despite the financial strain, they never wanted their daughter to depend on others.
“They always told me not to take help from anyone. They somehow managed to send me money,” said Rashdeep, who joined a national camp in Kerela last year.
She remains deeply aware of these sacrifices. “My father is often unwell, but my family hid their worries so that I could stay focused,” she added.
Her days now begin before sunrise, marked by gruelling training sessions. The routine is demanding, but for Rashdeep, it is a small price to pay for a dream that has been in the making for years.
Rashdeep’s journey into athletics began unexpectedly.
At just eight or nine years of age, she was playing kho-kho when her natural speed caught attention. That moment changed everything. Soon after, she began participating in school sports meets, winning multiple trophies and medals.
She moved to Jalandhar at the age of 11 and enrolled at Nehru Garden School.
Her then principal, now District Education Officer (DEO) Gurinderjit Kaur, recalled, “From the very first day, she became everyone’s favourite. Despite her struggles, she continued to rise, which amazed us all.”
Her time in Jalandhar wasn’t just about training. Five years ago, she was among a group of young athletes who protested against the outdated 25-year-old track at the sports college. Their efforts paid off, eventually leading to the construction of a modern synthetic track.
Mother stood by her
Behind her success stands her mother’s quiet strength. In a village where societal expectations often discourage girls from pursuing sports years ago, Gurpinder Kaur endured criticism and taunts.
“People questioned why I let my daughter play. But I ignored them. Today, those same people talk about Rashdeep with admiration,” she added.
Meanwhile, the young athlete dreams of representing India at the Asian and Commonwealth Games, but her most cherished goal is closer to home.
“My mother once said she wanted a beautiful house in the village, one that people would recognise as my home,” she said with a smile.
