Most of our sporting heroes, those who play sports apart from cricket often fail to get due recognition. Nithya Ramesh is one such sporting star. Despite winning the bronze medal in ice skating in the coveted European Open Championship, she returned from Belarus to India, with no one to receive her.

Ramesh was spotted at the airport wearing tracksuit with Indian tricolour on it. Vandana Bangera, a commuter spotted her at on her flight. Unable to contain her curiosity, Vandana approached the young girl at the conveyor belt. It was then that Vandana got to know that this girl was, in fact, ice-skating champion. Moved by the poor reception she received, Vandana took to social media to share her experience.

Vandana wrote, “I felt sad to see that this young girl who had brought Laurel to our country had just her driver to welcome her at the Arrival. At the same time, felt proud that India is making a mark in the world in a sport not so popular in India.”

Vandana’s post garnered much attention. The post has till now got  64,000 likes and has been shared over 27,000 times. People have also commented on words of encouragement for the stalwart.

Nithya is a prodigy and achieving such great laurels for the country at such a young age is no mean feat. It’s not just medals that keeps a sportsperson, but it is the encouragement one receives from their own countrymen which gives them the necessary boost. And hence, it is highly desirable that the sports ministry works to popularise such sports as well. We, as the common public should also try to encourage such raw talents, for they are the future of a brighter nation.

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