Khushbir Kaur’s life story will push the struggling ones forward in life. Taking a trip down the memory lane, Khushbir and her family of 5 used to live in a cowshed and they found it really hard to run the family.
She lost her father, Balkar Singh when she was only 6 years old. Her mother was the sole breadwinner as she worked hard in other people’s houses to make ends meet. Jasbir Kaur raised her children by selling milk and sewing clothes.
In 2008, Khushbir Kaur participated in Junior National race walk barefoot as her family couldn’t afford shoes. But, Khushbir was determined to succeed and there was no looking back since then. Life changed for her and her family after she bagged silver medal in the 20km race walk event at the 2014 Asian Games.
“It was only after Khushbir started winning medals and awards that we could afford a good meal. And after she won silver in the 20km race walk event at the 2014 Asian Games, we got a cemented roof over our heads,” said Jasbir to Times of India, recalling Khushbir’s first gift to her family post her win – a place they can call ‘home.’
In 2017, Kaur received the Arjuna award which is India’s second most prestigious honour in Sports. Talking to the Scroll, recalling tough times of life, Kaur proudly said, “Of course, yes, this is a reward for the effort I have put in”.
“But more than a thing, this award is for my coaches and for my family for all the struggles they have seen and gone through. A lot of credit goes to my coach Baldev Singh who gave me the push required on the junior stage.”
After Kaur’s silver medal success, her family was able to afford a good meal. After an impressive performance in the Asian Games, in 2016, Kaur went on to fulfil her dream of making her mark in the Olympics by bagging the 54th position in 20km race-walk.
She is eager to win Gold for India and for that, she is giving everything for her next big challenge in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, as she revealed during her conversations with Scroll.
“It’s a step by step approach,” she quoted adding that one needs to practice for at least 4-5 years for this kind of events.