Debashree Mazumdar sets example by donating money to her village for festival

Bengaluru, Oct 9: Her name is Debashree Mazumdar. She was one of the members of the India's female athletics relay team in the Rio Olympics. The national middle distance runner from Bengal, who has been representing her country for last couple years consecutively, set an example.

Debashree Mazumdar was born in a remote village named Bethuadohri in Nadia district, around 140 kilometers far from Kolkata. Her father passed away in her early days.

With two more sisters and mother being the only earning member in family Debashree had to cross stiff hurdles in early life before establishing herself as a professional middle distance runner and get a central government job.

The 25-year old athlete has donated the amount, required to organize Durga Puja festival at her village Bethuadohri this season. The village people had almost decided to stop organizing Puja this season following acute financial crisis.

Debashree said recently, “I received a call from my elder sister when I was in Rio Olympics. My sister said that the village people were going through acute financial crisis and will not be able to host Durga Puja this season. And my sister also informed it would cost around Rs 1 lakh to organize the festival in the village.

"I immediately decided to donate the amount. And once after returning from Rio, I donated the money. How can I forget my village where I was born and brought up? How can I forget those village people who helped me a lot when I did not have a single penny by helping financially and also inspire every time when I used to practice by running on the jagged and bumpy brick road in my village."

Interestingly, Debashree was in her village for two days after a span of five years. She is now busy with extensive training schedule at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) looking forward to medals in the Asian Track & Field meet next month.

OneIndia News