Punjab: Rickshaw driver’s daughter earned fame at the national level

Punjab: After hours of rigorous training at the PAP wrestling mats in Jalandhar, 33-year-old Preeti, now a constable, takes a well-earned break. She opens her bag, and a smile spreads across her face as she sees the fruit inside. “It’s funny,” she laughs, “Whenever I see the fruit, I remember the days when my family couldn’t even afford a banana.” The smile soon fades, as painful memories of her challenging past resurface. Preeti, an iconic wrestler who won a bronze medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in South Africa, has come a long way from her childhood struggles. Her rise to success is a testament to her resilience and determination, which overcame obstacles that seemed insurmountable.

Recalling her past, Preeti recalls, “There were times when we didn’t even have milk for tea, let alone food,” referring to her family’s financial difficulties. Her father is a rickshaw puller and can barely make ends meet, let alone support her dream of becoming a wrestler. When Preeti first showed interest in wrestling, her family did not support her. “I was one of four siblings and my parents thought wrestling would do nothing. Also, I needed proper nutrition, which we could not afford,” she says. In fact, when she was in Class X, her parents forbade her from going to school or practising sports. She was confined to her home for two months, with no way to pursue her passion. It was only after her coach intervened and convinced her family to allow her to continue that Preeti was able to fulfil her dreams. “I will always be grateful to them,” she says.

While her family showed disinterest, Preeti still had to endure taunts from relatives who believed a girl should either get married or learn cooking and sewing, not wrestling. She adds, “They couldn’t understand why I wanted to take up sports.” Undeterred by her family’s lack of support and societal expectations, Preeti started participating in local dangals (wrestling matches), from where she earned a modest income, which she spent on her nutrition and training. Preeti’s story is one of unwavering perseverance. From fighting for basic needs to becoming a national-level wrestler, she has proved that anything is possible with dedication. Today, she balances her career as a constable with her constant training, preparing for the Senior National Games.