The Village Girl

This story based on fictional occurrences and bears no resemblance to any real-life character or events and any similarity is purely coincidental.

The protagonist of this story is Rani. Rani was born in a typical Indian village amidst poverty. She was the youngest among her siblings of four brothers and sisters. Her father was a tenant farmer with no land of his own. During off-season to manage the family expenses the father took up odd jobs. Rani 's mother was a homemaker, a woman of great wisdom as generally Indian mothers are well versed in the scriptures and the epics. Rani being the youngest was the darling of the family and her mother's pet. Like her elder siblings, she received her initial tutorials from her mother.

Within a short time, she could read and write and tell stories from the epics. She was admitted into the Govt aided school as money was short in the family. All of her elders went to the same school. Rani was good at studies and participated actively in all the activities of the school. Slowly one of her latent talents came to the fore. She could run very well and won all the races held in the school. Her eldest brother Ram was now an athlete of some repute in the village. Ram taking a fancy to Rani's talent, took her one day to his club and introduced her to his coach. The coach Mr. Mondal gave Rani a few tests to check her abilities. Mr. Mondal seemed impressed and decided to train her.

Slowly Rani blossomed into a good short-distance runner. But there were many challenges ahead. To train hard and become outstanding good food and other inputs are needed.But Rani being poor could not afford it. Her coach then after speaking to his wife decided to support Rani from their family resources. So he took permission from Rani's family which was granted after some coaxing and assurances. Slowly Rani started training and participating in school level and district level tournaments. She was a natural athlete and excelling at all levels for Rani was a cakewalk.

Everyone known to Rani was now harboring ambitions for her to participate at the national and later at the international level. But that needed a lot of money and sponsorships. The coach then applied to the Govt dept for her scholarship and directions for the future guiding road map. Surprisingly, help was easily available and fortunately there was some positive development in this regard. Some corporate houses who have obligations under their Corporate Social Responsibility Regulation (CSR) schemes had their compliances unfulfilled, had decided to sponsor upcoming and promising athletes. Rani, through her coach, applied for the CSR scholarship. Things started to look up. But all did not seem so nice. There were things that were unknown to the simpleton village girl Rani. To get good sponsorships with funding from sources with deep knowledge and deep pockets needed lot of lobbying and wheeling-dealing. All this was new to Rani and her coach Mr. Mondal. Rani had to appear for screening tests to qualify. There were other contestants also in the fray. Rani did her bit excellently. But there were very few people to support her because of her weak financial background. Other contestants with lesser performance records than Rani but with better financials and support had an edge over Rani

When the final selections came up Rani was pitted against two other girls with lesser credentials but with better vocal support that was purchased by their guardians. All looked the end for Rani. Because if she failed to get the scholarship the sponsorship would not be available. Rani would have to give up everything even her studies because studies were a part of the curriculum and conditions for the sponsorship. Furthermore as Rani had entered her teens her father was desperate to marry her off as is the age old practice in the villages. Because who would otherwise bear her costs. Even the coach Mr. Mondal who had till now had managed much of Rani's expenses was now not very inclined to continue due to the rising expenses. The final selection day had come up and all looked bleak for Rani. But as they say, every dark cloud has a silver lining, in this case, also the situation brightened enough.

Recently the country athletes had come up with a stellar performance at the world stage. After the event it was suggested that young budding sportspersons should be spotted and encouraged and those with weak financial backgrounds should be especially motivated. Rani's past records pipped her over the other contestants and qualified for the scholarship. The conditions for the sponsorship was that complete educational obligations of the beneficiary would be taken care till the completion of the graduation level provided that on the sports field performance was not comprised with. The Sun shone brightly for Rani.

A reputed private sector Bank with deep financial credentials saw potential in Rani and decided to support her. So Rani secured the much desired sponsorship. Her coach Mr. Mondal was relieved as he felt now his ward had hit the right chord. For now Rani would get international exposure and be able to face more competition successfully. The Bank could also use the services of Ranu as a model to market their many products and showcase them through Rani, already a popular icon amongst the aspirational youth. Rani, now started getting good coaching through experienced and dedicated coaches both local and foreign. Rani started appearing for tournaments both at the domestic level and at foreign shores. At the domestic level she had always been good and in her pet events the 100meteres and 200meteres races there was no one to match her.

But at the international level she fell far short of expectations. However hard she tried she failed to shine at the last mile. Her average Indian built and frame proved to be too daunting for her foreign peers. Psychologically she was trailing because competing at the top most level it is basically mind games and whoever can manage the mind best can out manoeuvre even the very best on the field. Then some one suggested the age old Indian therapy. Rani started to do meditation. As expected results were there to see. Rani won her first world event. The whole country raved for her. She became an overnight sensation. Her sponsors were very pleased and doubled their financial support. This was a great help for her. Her family had also through her support moved out of the poverty cycle

Her other siblings now moved on in life and got settled. Her father stopped working as a landless laborer and now worked in a more relaxed and laid back style in a recently acquired 'mom and pop' shop. Rani's mother had also become a sort of model for other women in the village.

She was now proudly called Rani's mother. Meanwhile, Rani had completed her graduations and it was with quite a good score because her grooming had been rock solid by her gracious mother. Rani's sponsors were not regretting her selection. Because her brand value had immensely risen and the Bank which was now her employer was reaping in handsome dividends. Rani's exploits on the field at the top most level continued superlatively. The Govt. was also very proud had honored her with top sports awards of the nation. Rani was also now the quintessential face for all the Govt aided programs for girls and women.

The story doesn't end here because many more Rani's have come up and taken the space created by Rani. Now our own Rani basking in the many acquired laurels both nationally and internationally has made her sponsors proud. Out of sheer gratification, they have given a huge promotion to Rani with a humongous salary unthinkable to Rani's family lifestyle. Rani has now moved on in life and shifted to the city in a big apartment where she has moved in with her parents. She plans to settle down in life soon. Her life has motivated many a dreamer and we hear a biopic is about to be made on her life by some renowned film personality. Her village has become now a beacon on the world map and they have made a stadium outside the village bearing Rani's name to nurture fresh talent.

Moral of the story - - Save the girl child and educate the girl child.

One never knows when a spark can light a fire.