Tejaswini Sawant from Kolhapur won a Gold medal at the World shooting Championship in Munich, Germany recently; and overnight she became a new shooting star on the horizon. She had not only won the gold medal but made a world record equaling the previous one in 50 meter rifle event. Very rightly, the Marathi news channels found a big news in this girl, who had not only made Kolhapur, but the entire nation proud with her achievement.

A little before her arrival from Germany, Star Majha replayed an old interview with the shooting star taken by Sonali Kulkarni, after she had won a Gold medal at the last Commonwealth championship. At that time, she had spoken about her father who made every effort to make available the best for her preparations. She had also shown the facilities available then at the Kolhapur indoor hall and how some people like actor Nana Patekar and others had come forward to make available the modern facilities required for advanced training.

After her arrival in Mumbai via New Delhi late night, the news channels captured her smiling face giving all details about the grand welcome offered by relatives and well wishers. The news channels however criticized both the central and state Government, for not sending their official representative to receive her. Is this how our Government treats their Sportspersons who wins a Gold medal for the country ? They questioned. Even at Mumbai Airport none of the Politicians, with the exception of Vinod Tawde of BJP; were present to receive her. One of the news channels even pointed out that some of the ministers spend hours at the airport waiting for their leaders from Delhi and some of them even lift their foot-wears on arrival. But, when it comes to welcoming a Gold medalist at World Championship, they find no time.

We only saw the publicity tamashaa later, when all those politicians called her to their place for felicitation. Perhaps they felt the pinch from the TV channels pinpointing their neglect. Tejaswini, however received a grand reception at her native town Kolhapur and all the news channels showed the video of her grand procession, where they made her sit on an elephant. Certainly, she deserved that pride of place. But, it was surprising that like Marathi News channels the leading Hindi and English channels, did not consider her achievement as a big news. Was she representing only Kolhapur or Maharashtra ? Tejaswini had made the entire nation proud and she certainly deserved a national coverage. The national newspapers did it but the National electronic channels failed to do so. Thanks to all the Marathi news channels, who always bring out the best and deserving coverage of such achievers. It does not matter to them whether they belong to Maharashtra or any other remote place in India.

Tejaswini, while speaking to media, said that she dedicated this medal to her father, who passed away six months ago. Her hard work and achievement should inspire many young sportspersons in the making. At the same time, it is a message to the Sports ministry to promote sports other than cricket.

Looking for entertainment news, one more Marathi serial ‘Maaylek’ has started on e-TV, while ‘Swapnanchya Palikadle’ begins from 16th August at 8 pm on Star Pravah. However, it remains to be seen how many of these serials will offer quality entertainment? Some of them have already started moving on Hindi style, with the character of widow shown in White Saree, which is not commonly found in Maharashtra culture and that too in a high class society. First we saw it in ‘Char Chaughi’ and now we see it in ‘Mann Udhaan Varyache’.

by Ulhas Shirke © MMW