Laborer’s Daughter Deepti Wins Bronze

Paris, Agency: Overcoming her struggles and turning her challenges into strengths, Deepti Jeevanji made the country proud by winning a bronze medal at the Para Athletics Championships on Tuesday. Deepti became the first Indian woman athlete to secure a medal in the 400 meters event at the Paralympics.

Deepti clocked a time of 55.82 seconds to secure the bronze medal, a remarkable achievement for someone who grew up facing numerous challenges. She was born on 20th April in a laborer's family in a small village in Khargone, Madhya Pradesh, and has had to fight against the odds from a young age. Her father, a laborer, faced difficulties in supporting her sports journey due to financial constraints.

In her early days, Deepti had to run barefoot and practice in local fields because her family could not afford proper facilities or equipment. Despite these challenges, she persisted, and her resilience paid off when she qualified for the national championships and eventually represented India on the international stage.

During the Para Athletics Championships, Deepti's performance was outstanding. She completed her race in 55.82 seconds, while her competitors were also strong. The gold medal was claimed by Omara Durand of Cuba with a time of 54.96 seconds, and the silver went to Sheryl James with a time of 55.16 seconds. Deepti's time of 55.23 seconds was enough to earn her the bronze medal, a significant improvement from her previous best of 55.07 seconds.

Earlier, Deepti had clocked 56.69 seconds in her heat to qualify for the finals. On Sunday, she further improved her timing to 56.18 seconds, securing her place among the top athletes. Deepti's journey from a small village to the world stage is an inspiration to many, demonstrating that hard work and determination can overcome any obstacle.

India celebrated Deepti's achievement, marking her as a symbol of perseverance and strength, proving that with dedication, one can achieve greatness against all odds.