Learning didn’t stop at 57; it sharpened my aim: Parimala Jaggesh

A t 57, Parimala Jaggesh is charting a new chapter defined by discipline and visualisation. A recent second-place finish at the state-level civilian rifle shooting championship has only strengthened her resolve to push further. Married at 15 to actor and politician Jag gesh, she has continued to prioritise learning through every phase of her life. “Learning hasn’t slowed down — it has become more focused,” she says. ‘LEARNING IS NOT JUST ABOUT CAREER CHOICES’ “Conversations at home were always about education,” she says, as her father ran a school. Her academic journey reflects that curiosity: archi tecture, followed by medical transcription, nutrition and health coaching. Sport en tered her life through rally driving, often alongside her son, Guru. A chance interaction with a sports profession al eventually led her to rifle shooting. “I believe learning shouldn’t end with what we choose as our careers. It goes far beyond that,” she says. 'VISUALISATION HELPED WITH MY PROGRESS'Diagnosed with diabetes at 32 and having endured multiple injuries from rallying and training, Parimala refuses to step back. “I first heard about civilian rifle shooting in October last year. That same month, I gifted myself a rifle and began training.” Her routine included cardio, strength training, breath work, and shooting practice. In just four months, she was competition-ready. “People ask how I progressed so fast. I credit visualisation,” she explains. “I imagined eve rything — my posture, my walk, how I’d choose my pel lets, every round I’d fire. Be fore I reached the range, it was already done in my mind,” she tells us.