Lauding the CHANGE MAKERS

They bring Gandhiji’s maxim “Be the change you want to see” to life, not just with hard work and determination, but with an unmatched vision that drives them to achieve loftier goals with each passing day. Femina salutes these women for leading the way and inspiring us all to change too

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The Game Of HER LIFE

RANI RAMPAL, captain of the Indian women’s hockey team, has a singular goal when she goes on-field—to win for the country. She talks of this and more with Shraddha Kamdar

As I prepare myself to speak to her, I can’t help but wonder at the superstar that Rani Rampal is! The 25-year-old captain of the Indian women’s hockey team is not just grounded, she is also endearingly humble. She signs off on our interview by thanking the readers who will take the time out to read it, adding, “I wish you all the best and God bless.”

Hockey player Rampal’s story can motivate an entire generation. Hailing from the small town of Shahabad in the Kurukshetra district of Haryana, she has turned all the odds in her favour to become the face of Indian women’s hockey. Her father worked as a handcart puller, and, from that background, she rose to train in field hockey, starting at the age of six, and consistently proving herself of being deserving of all the positions she got. She has played 212 international matches and scored 134 goals, and is now looking forward to leading the team at the Tokyo Olympics this year. The Padma Shri and Khel Ratna awardee knows the game takes her all, and she willingly gives it. Over to the super athlete.

Last year, you became the first-ever hockey player worldwide to win the prestigious World Games Athlete of the Year honour. How does it feel?