Ranchi:
When Nisha Rani won the silver medal at the 2008 South Asian Championship in Jharkhand, there wasn't much national recognition. She was gifted a bow in December 2010 worth four lakhs by a Korean coach who was impressed with her skills. A year later, she was forced to sell it to pay for roofing up her father's mud shack.
"This boy (from Manipur) couldn't afford expensive equipment and I was in desperate need of the money," she said. She emailed him a picture of her bow and he wired the money to her account.
After a report on NDTV.com and NDTV's television channels last week, the 21-year-old has received offers of help and cash. The Jharkhand government has given her Rs 25,000 and a silver bow. NDTV viewers and surfers of ndtv.com have donated Rs 40,000 via cheques.
The Jharkhand Sports Minister Mr Suresh Mahato assured the government's full support saying, "She has played for India. She wants to continue studies along with sports, and she has our moral support."
The Sports Minister has also offered Nisha a job in an archery coaching academy for youngsters in Silli, Jharkhand.
"It's because of NDTV's efforts that many have come forward with financial help. The Navin Jindal Group has also asked for my documents," she said in her hometown of Pathmada village in the Jamshedpur district of Jharkhand.
Currently in the third year of a Bachelor of Arts course at Jamshedpur Workers College, Nisha wishes to complete her graduation and do a Bachelor's in Physical Education from a prominent college either in Pune or Amritsar. With that, she hopes to pursue coaching and help build future champions for India.