Tale of strength, victory

The nine days of Navratri celebrate goddesses who embody strength in different forms; valour, compassion, creativity, austerity, devotion, justice, protection, forgiveness and wisdom. In our annual Navratri series, we celebrate the lives of nine women who strive to build happy and safe spaces for themselves and those around them.

PART - 13

Name: Bhagyashree Shinde | Where: Mumbai

Bhagyashree Kaluram Shinde, a young girl from the Wadar Vasti community, represents resilience and determination. Her family, part of the Mati Wadar community, has encountered significant obstacles. The family’s move to Wadar Vasti and the closure of her father’s traditional mattress weaving business during the COVID-19 pandemic rushed them into crisis.

Amidst hardship, Bhagyashree’s father adjusted to the situation by establishing a small general store within their community. The family of six, which includes Bhagyashree’s parents, grandmother, and two younger sisters, worked together to navigate their new situations. Despite the challenges, Bhagyashree remained unwavering in her academic pursuits and extracurricular activities.

Bhagyashree has been an enthusiastic and energetic girl since childhood. Her parents says that she first began learning karate when she was in class 4. With her interest in sports, she chose karate and initially took a few days of coaching.

However, due to her family’s financial challenges, continuing formal training was not possible. Recognising her dedication and passion, her karate teacher Nitin Kamble decided to train her completely free of cost, ensuring that her dreams were not hindered by financial constraints.

For the past nine years, she has honed her skills in karate and become a formidable athlete with his unwavering support, both financial and motivational. Her journey in karate is marked by dedication, discipline, and countless hours of rigorous training.

A member of Child Rights and You’s activity center collective groups, Bhagyashree, actively participates in all the programs and events offered. She achieved a commendable 54 per cent in her 10th-grade examinations last year, demonstrating her dedication to her studies.

Bhagyashree’s journey from a small community in Wadar Vasti to the national stage is a proof to her dedication and perseverance. Her achievements at the City and State level tournaments in Katraj, Pune, where she secured second place and earned a silver medal, have paved the way for her participation in the National level tournament in Haryana in August 2024.

This success not only represents a personal achievement for Bhagyashree but also brings great pride to her family and community.

Her accomplishments emphasise that no goal is unattainable, and through hard work, persistence, and the right encouragement, one can achieve anything. She is not just a talented karate athlete; she symbolizes resilience, hope, and the limitless potential that resides within each of us. The sport not only strengthened her physically but also built her confidence.

Bhagyashree says, “I am no longer afraid to walk around the community, even at night, because I know I can protect myself.” This transformation, she believes, was made possible only because of karate, which empowered her with both skills and self-belief. She is pursuing her further education while also teaching karate to children in her community. Her dream is not only to achieve personal success in the sport but also to empower other girls through karate, helping them become as brave and confident.