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Maneesha Keer's life has changed dramatically. Until three years ago, she began her day accompanying her father to Bhopal's upper lake and catch fishes for her family's survival. Today, she is an international shooter.
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A typical village teenager
Hailing from a small village called Goragaon, located on the outskirts of Bhopal, Maneesha resides in a small and modest home that provides shelter to a family of 10.
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10 gold medals at the age of 15
In a short time, Maneesha has won 10 gold medals - nine domestic and one international. Recently in May, she won a gold in an Under-16 Shotgun tournament in Finland.
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The Keer siblings
Maneesha is the fourth of eight siblings. Her sister Soniya (second from right) is a national-level rower, while elder brother Gautam (extreme left) used to be a volleyball player.
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Cooking when not shooting
Everytime Maneesha gets an opportunity to be home, she helps her mother in the kitchen. Dal Chawal and Bhindi happen to be her favourite.
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Seeking divine blessings
Kailash Keer (left), Maneesha's father, makes it a point to take her daughter to the village temple prior to any shooting event.
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In her village, resides her heart
Maneesha and her siblings on their way back from the lake. Everything said and done, Maneesha's heart beats in Goregaon, despite trips to three different countries.
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Indulging in ancestral occupation
Kailash's family, for generations has survived on fishing. Whatever little time Maneesha is able to take out from her training, she helps her father in the lake
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Not always a cake walk
According to Maneesha, there are days when she and her father have to return empty-handed. As a side job, Kailash even looks after the cultivation of chestnuts.
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Always hitting the target
Maneesha hasn't forgotten the art of her ancestral occupation. She has an impeccable sense of laying the trap with an enormous net in the right area.
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Where Maneesha trains
The Madhya Pradesh shooting academy, where Maneesha hones her skills diligently. Her training schedule starts at 8 am everyday, which sees her shoot rounds after rounds at the range.
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Unparalleled attention
Maneesha's best trait according to her coach is her dedication, and it was evident during her duration at the range. She constantly fired her rounds and her aim hardly missed.
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Maneesha's pillar of support
Maneesha is coached by former Indian shooter Mansher Singh, a four-time Olympian. Local coach Indrajit Sikdar (spotted here) deals with her day-to-day supervision.
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Gelling with her peers
When not training, Maneesha slips back into the teenager that she is. Here, Maneesha is seen having a candid moment with sister Soniya (extreme left), and friends Parvati Kumre and Chinki Yadav (extreme right).
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Aiming for Tokyo 2020
Maneesha's holy grail is a gold finish at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. It may sound a long shot today, but her fierce dedication of achieving it, is what many believe will get her there.
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