The Extremes of the Indian Narrative: Placing Women Athletes on a High Pedestal or Castigating Them
India has a long-standing tradition of worshipping women as goddesses, yet the same society often fails to treat them with the respect they deserve. This dichotomy is particularly evident in the way Indian society treats its women athletes. On one hand, they are placed on a high pedestal and celebrated as national heroes. On the other hand, they are often subjected to harsh criticism and judgment, especially when they fail to live up to the expectations of the public.
The recent Paris Olympics 2024 provided a perfect example of this phenomenon. Three women athletes, Manu Bhaker, Vinesh Phogat, and Antim Panghal, represented India in the games. All three were expected to bring home medals and make the country proud. However, things did not go as planned, and all three athletes failed to win a medal.
What followed was a barrage of criticism and judgment from the Indian public. Manu Bhaker, a young shooter who had won multiple medals in international competitions, was accused of being arrogant and overconfident. Vinesh Phogat, a wrestler who had won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, was criticized for not being mentally tough enough. Antim Panghal, a boxer who had won a silver medal at the Asian Championships, was accused of not being fit enough to compete at the highest level.
These reactions reflect the judgmental nature of Indian society, which often fails to appreciate the hard work and dedication that goes into becoming an elite athlete. It is easy to criticize from the sidelines, but it takes a lot of courage and determination to compete at the highest level. The fact that these women were able to represent India at the Olympics is a testament to their talent and hard work.
It is important to remember that not every athlete can win a medal, and that failure is a part of the journey. Instead of criticizing and castigating our women athletes, we should be celebrating their achievements and supporting them in their journey. We should be proud of the fact that they are representing our country on the world stage, and we should be grateful for the sacrifices they have made to get there.
As we move forward, we must learn from the fates of Manu Bhaker, Vinesh Phogat, and Antim Panghal. We must learn to judge our women athletes more measuredly, and appreciate the hard work and dedication that goes into becoming an elite athlete. We must support them in their journey, and celebrate their achievements, whether they win a medal or not. Only then can we truly honor the spirit of our women athletes, and the spirit of our nation.