6 minute read
The Power Moms
from SEEMA June 2022
by SEEMA
Age has not withered, nor custom staled, the infinite variety of these champions
SWARNENDU BISWAS
PHOTO CREDIT : BANI YADAV, MIHIR MISHRA AND ARINDAM
Bani Yadav , the champion racer, testing tyres PS4S for Michelin at Yas Marina track, Abu Dhabi Bani Yadav at the Maruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare Rally with navigator Sukhbans Mann
Even now a majority of women in India lead repressed life and lifestyles, a result of feudalistic norms and ethos. But in this by and large depressing sociocultural climate, one learns of some inspiring true stories.
Here are three exemplary women who have excelled in physically intensive sports that are traditionally deemed male preserves, despite the pressures of marriage and motherhood. They have not only challenged the established norms of society, but have broken them gloriously. They have paved new roads in the process, ones many more women can take.
RACING AHEAD
Bani Yadav, a pioneer in women’s car racing in India. Yadav, 50, began professional car racing in 2013, at the age of 42, when most other racers have retired. She was a mother of two sons for many years by then.
Bani says it is never easy for a woman in India to break into the male-dominated extreme sport like car racing and rallying.
“Being married into an orthodox family it became an uphill task for me to actually get permission and acceptance to enter motor sports,” she said. “Money has been a constant constraint and I have emptied my family savings to be a part of motor sports. Yet, I am
Bani Yadav, Woman Car Racer
way behind in terms of car modifications compared to my competitors.”
Her husband was her source of encouragement and support. He helped nurture her adolescent dream of becoming a car rally driver into adult reality.
“It is next to impossible for women in India to find sponsorship or funds to take part in this sport which is also very expensive and requires constant funding,” the champion racer said. She is the only Indian to have won the most major cross-country rally titles in India in the woman’s category.
Bani, who got interested in car racing while admiring his father’s deft driving skills as a child, is also the National Autocross Champion for 2019 and 2018, in the Ladies’ section. She is also the first woman to come an overall second in the IRC – Rally De North – 2016.
CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN
Premlata Agrawal at an expedition at Mt. Vinson in Antarctica
In 2011, Premlata Agrawal became the oldest Indian woman to scale Mt. Everest, the tallest peak in the world (29,032 ft). She was a young 48. The record is now held by Sangeeta Sindhi Bahl, who became the oldest Indian woman to climb Mt. Everest, at the age of 53. That was on May 19, 2018.
Premlata is also the first Indian woman to clamber such heights.
“My major accomplishment has been the scaling of all the highest peaks of the seven continents of the world, known as the ‘Seven Summits,’” she said. “I also have the record of being the first Indian woman to have climbed Mount Denali, the highest peak of North America, and Mount Carstensz Pyramid in Indonesia.”
Premlata Agarwal
Premlata Agrawal receiving the Padma Shri from the then president of India, Pranab Mukherjee
Premlata Agarwal
Premlata began mountaineering at 36, when she was already a mother of two for more than a decade. It was Bachendri Pal, the first woman from India to climb Mt. Everest (in 1984), who sparked in Premlata the inspiration to take to mountaineering.
“I went to her to enroll my daughters in adventure sports course but she encouraged me to join in the course myself along with my daughters,” Premlata reminisced with a smile. “As I slowly acquired the skills of mountaineering and grasped the heights, my journeys to the mountains turned to a passion and I fell quickly in love with mountaineering.”
Premlata acknowledges her family’s backing in her effort.
“Initially it was a little difficult for me to carry on my duties as a homemaker and pursue my dreams,” she admitted. “But with time management, I could do justice on both fronts and gradually with my every accomplishment, my family members became very involved in my vision, and they lend me great support.”
She did not have struggle for finances, though.
“Looking at my fitness and passion for mountaineering, Tata Steel came forward and sponsored all my major expeditions. I have been very fortunate in this regard,” said Premlata, who won the Padma Shri award in 2013.
PASSION FOR FITNESS
Fitness athlete and bodybuilder Sonali Swami entered her physically intensive sport at a stage
PHOTO CREDIT : SANJAY SWAMI
Fitness athlete and body builder Sonali Swami when many bodybuilders think of retiring. She discovered her passion when she was 37, when she hit the gym for the first time in her life.
“I began my journey of being an athlete after marriage and kids,” she said. “My motto is that age is just a number and that a woman’s life doesn’t end with marriage and motherhood.
My husband has been my pillar of strength throughout the journey. When my family saw my passion for bodybuilding, they genuinely supported and pushed me to do better. My family has never been bothered with society’s opinions and that helped me a lot in my journey.”
Her wins began with Fit Factor at Bodypower India in 2014, and with Musclemania India 2014. She won the bronze medal at the Asian Bodybuilding and Physique
Sports Championships (Model Physique Category) in 2016, and represented India at the Asian & World Bodybuilding & Physique Sports Championships in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
FUTURE PLANS
These ladies plan have no plans to rest on their laurels.
“I look forward to participate in the upcoming Indian National Rally Championship, Asia Pacific Rally Cup, and Indian National Autocross Championship,” Bani said.
Premlata organizes treks for student leadership courses.
According to her, “Outdoor adventure allows students to develop leadership skills, and it can be an integral part of students’ development. I also encourage parents to join the adventure course along with their wards, and was successful in bringing along some parents to the camp with their children.”
“I think my mountaineering journey is not complete;
I have a long way to go. There are many more peaks to scale.”
Sonali also plans to get back in the game.
“After a gap, I plan to step on the stage and compete again in 2022,” she said. “I am preparing for that goal and also focusing on my own training. In addition, I also personally coach people and help them achieve their health and fitness goals. My goal is to motivate every woman – especially married women – to prioritize their health and work towards it.”
Sonali Swami
