Rani Rampal on Padma Shri: This award is a result of two decades of hard work

Rani Rampal is on cloud nine these days. Over the last two weeks she has received two of the biggest honours an Indian sportsperson can. Late last month, she won the Major Dhyanchand Khel Ratna and on Monday, she was awarded with the Padma Shri, the country's fourth-highest civilian honour. Although the Padma award was announced early last year, the ceremony was delayed due to the pandemic.Getting her hands on the award caps a brilliant year for the Indian women's hockey captain. Talking to us a day after her award win, she says, "It feels really good, specially because I received two prestigious awards – Khel Ratna and Padma Shri – within 10 days of each other. Every athlete works hard all their lives to win medals for their country and when the government recognizes your effort, it motivates you to work harder."

The 26-year-old has come a long way from the young girl who picked up hockey in rural Haryana to being one of the leading lights of women’s hockey in the country. Acknowledging her journey, Rani tells us, "I come from a very poor family from Haryana. When I started playing hockey as a kid, I had never thought one day I'd be here. But everything has a process. I think I have gone through that process and that journey. It took me 20-21 years of playing hockey to get here. Getting this award is not the result of just the last one or two years of results that people see but two decades of hard work that many haven't. So many people have had a huge role in my journey, from my family and coaches to teammates and support staff over the years. They have all come together to make me a better player and a better person. I have to thank everyone who helped me get here." Rani talks about her family very fondly. Her parents were with her at the Rashtrapati Bhavan when she received her award yesterday. Calling it "a feeling that can't be described," Rani says, "My parents were with me when I received the award. Coming from a rural, humble background, receiving an award from the President with your parents in attendance is a feeling that is hard to put in words. I feel so blessed."

The Indian skipper says awards and recognitions like these are great for the world of sports, not just the recipient. She says, "Sports is a lot of hard work, each single day. You train really hard, you play, win and lose. That up and down continues all through our careers. But moments of recognition like these – particularly when you are still playing – encourages you. It also sets a good goal for other youngsters who are trying to reach the top level."