Gandhinagar — Sarita Gayakwad, a celebrated athlete hailing from the tribal region of Dang in Gujarat, has made India proud with her achievements on the international stage. Yet, her journey from a remote village to the Asian Games podium is a story of grit, resilience, and crucial early support from Narendra Modi, who was then the Chief Minister of Gujarat.
Sarita’s journey began through Kanya Kelavani, a school enrollment campaign launched by Modi to promote girls’ education across Gujarat. According to a post shared by Modi Story on X, this initiative was the foundation that opened the door to education and opportunity for Sarita and countless girls from underprivileged communities.
As she grew older, Sarita found her passion in athletics and got the chance to showcase her talent through Khel Mahakumbh — a state-level sports event initiated by the Gujarat government to identify and nurture rural sports talent.
Recalling her early struggles, Sarita said, “I came from such a background that I couldn’t even afford a pair of sports shoes. The first gift I ever received in my life was a pair of shoes from Chief Minister Narendra Modi!”
Her impressive performance at Khel Mahakumbh earned her a cash prize of ₹25,000 from the Gujarat government — a moment she describes as a turning point. “That ₹25,000 changed my life. It helped me get back on track,” she said.
Sarita’s dedication and talent soon earned her a spot in a state-run sports hostel, where she received professional coaching, medical support, and guidance.
“My life changed because of Modiji’s affection for girl children. It was his vision that took a tribal girl like me from the woods to the world,” she said with pride.
Sarita eventually represented India at the international level, winning a gold medal at the Jakarta Asian Games. Prime Minister Modi personally congratulated her and the government rewarded her with ₹1 crore in recognition of her achievement. She was also offered a position within the Gujarat government.
“During the felicitation ceremony for Asian Games medalists, PM Modi shared how he had known me since my early days in Gujarat,” Sarita fondly recalled.
Sharing her story, Modi Story wrote: “Sarita Gayakwad’s journey is not just her own — it reflects the experiences of countless girls from India’s remotest corners who, through education, skill development, sports, and entrepreneurship, have broken barriers and achieved success thanks to visionary initiatives led by Narendra Modi.”
“On this International Day of the Girl Child, let us celebrate and honour all such achievers — the daughters of India who dared to dream and rose to greatness,” the post concluded.
With inputs from IANS