This blind shot putter is not short of ambition

Life changed when at 18,Balwinder fell from the roof of her house and remained unconscious for three days. When she regained consciousness,her dreams of becoming a pilot faded. Balwinder,a national-level gidda dancer who also holds records at the state and district levels,lost her eyesight. “Life became hard after that. Unapologetic words from villagers would cut my heart into two. However,I did not cry and remained optimistic. But my parents were against my wishes to study again,” Noorie,as she is popularly known among her friends,shared.

Balwinder finally ran out of patience,and made an unsuccessful bid to run away from home in search of further education. However,her parents were more forthcoming after that. But it was her sister,Kuldeep,who took her to Ludhiana where she learned Braille and completed a diploma course in telephone operator.

Sports took her confidence to a new level. What she lacked in skill,she made up for hardwork and determination. “I had strong arms but I tried to strengthen my shoulders by exercising and stretching with punctured cycle tyres and bricks. My friends Pardeep,Sukhim Beerpal,Vipan and Harman were very supportive. I had heard about blind children doing well in sports,” said the daughter of a truck driver and a housewife mother.

Balwinder won two gold medals in shot put and discus throw in 2009. More success followed when she won gold in shot put,discus throw and javelin throw in Punjab State Games in 2011. This year,she started with two gold medals in shot put and discus throw in a state-level championship. Her dreams of winning a gold medal and creating a record at the international level still remain elusive. “I will start working with my coach Balwinder Singh. Right now,I am working on my bhangra skills as I want to dance on the Indian Got Talent show,” chuckled the BA Part I student.