H1N1, hardship & gold: Neeru Dhanda's journey

Sudesh Devi, a woman from the village of Sangatpura, received a call on Tuesday morning that changed her life forever. Her daughter, Neeru Dhanda, a 26-year-old shooter, had just won India's first-ever women's individual trap gold at the Asian Games. Neeru, who had not been following the news, had competed in the event without a TV or smartphone. Her mother, still trying to process the news, expressed disbelief at her daughter's achievement.

Neeru's victory came after a challenging journey. She had spent three days in a Bhopal hospital battling suspected H1N1 flu, which had left her uncertain about making the trip to Nagoya. For the next five days, she was on a liquid diet and missed three-and-a-half weeks of training. However, her personal coach, Mansher Singh, and national coach Peter Wilson kept her focused and determined.

Growing up, Neeru had always dreamt of pursuing shooting. Her journey began near her home when her uncle took her to a pond to teach her how to shoot. She later found inspiration in her cousin Lakshay Sheoran, who had won a silver medal in trap at the 2018 Asian Games. In 2019, Neeru moved to Bhopal to train at the Madhya Pradesh Shooting Academy, where she received free guns to use for training.

With no money or resources, her family, including her cousin Lakshay, helped her arrange equipment and even let her practice with his rifle.

Neeru's mother, Sudesh Devi, sold buffalo milk to support her daughter's dream. The family lived in a one-room house, and Neeru's determination and grit paid off when she won India's first women's individual trap gold at the Asian Games. Her achievement marked a significant milestone for a family from Sangatpura, which lies in Haryana's khap belt. Sudesh Devi, proud of her daughter's accomplishment, emphasized that she would always support Neeru regardless of the challenges they faced.