Exclusive interview shining a light on the remarkable saga of Pritam Rani, where grit, glory, and greatness collide on the hockey field.
When she was still in high school, her farmer parents wanted to marry her off. Learning to play field hockey, Pritam Rani pleaded for two more years to prove her mettle as a sportsperson. With focus and strenuous practice, she made it to the national junior team and never looked back.
Her distinguished career includes winning Gold for India at the Commonwealth Games 2002. The Indian government bestowed on her the prestigious Arjuna Award. The gritty girl even inspired the character of Captain Vidya Sharma in the 2007 Bollywood film ‘Chak De! India’, which starred Shah Rukh Khan as the coach.
Having known firsthand the social and financial constraints Indian girls face, particularly in rural areas and small towns, Pritam Rani became a coach. Training girls for 20 years, she has produced three Olympians and seven national-level hockey players.
I first met Pritam Rani Siwach at a spiritual event in Sonipat, a city in Haryana about an hour’s drive from New Delhi. I was thrilled to learn she lives in my enclave with her husband, former hockey player Kuldeep Siwach. Their two children are also hockey players, son Yashdeep is based in Melbourne, Australia, and daughter Kanika is pursuing the sport in Europe.
Captivated by her story, I secured an interview with her. She graciously invited us home on a recent evening after her post-practice walk. I took my younger sister along to shoot some video clips. Pritam Rani’s spacious house has elegant interiors and a special wall displaying her numerous trophies and awards. We were amazed by her energy after a full day of tasks.
Pritam Rani has 200 girls training under her wing and has produced many national level hockey players including Olympians. She was bestowed the 2021 Dronacharya Award as an Outstanding Coach by the Indian government.
Excerpts from the interview with ALotusInTheMud.com:
Lotus: How did you think of playing hockey and came to know it was your calling?
Pritam Rani Siwach: I was born in Jharsa village in Gurgaon into a family of farmers. During my school years, we had limited facilities, and sports like hockey, kabaddi, and kho-kho (requiring no or very little equipment) were popular. I loved sports but was ridiculed for being overweight and initially rejected by the hockey coach. Heartbroken, I confided in my grandmother, who persuaded the coach to give me a chance.
Our team practiced in Gurgaon with minimal equipment, cutting the grass ourselves to level the playfield. When my elder sister married during her 9th grade, my family started planning my marriage too. I pleaded for two more years to focus on hockey, and through hard work, I made it to the national junior team. I won a medal and was named the best player in a tournament, marking the start of my career.
Lotus: What led to your transition from being a nationally known hockey player to coaching girls?
Pritam Rani: My hockey career flourished. At age 23, I became captain of the Indian women’s team and received the Arjuna Award. At 24, I married and decided to support girls in hockey to ensure they didn’t face the struggles I did. After winning Gold at the 2002 Commonwealth Games post-childbirth, I started coaching. I train around 200 girls daily, free of charge, with my husband’s support.
Lotus: Has your husband supported you throughout your endeavors?
Pritam Rani: In my journey, my husband stood tall and unwavering behind me, supporting my passion for hockey despite taunts. He is an excellent player himself; his dreams transferred to me when his career was cut short by injury. Against all odds, he encouraged me. Even now, as I coach women, he supports me wholeheartedly.
Pritam Rani advises aspiring athletes — Start your day with meditation, exercise, and a structured routine. Don’t just dream, take action. Avoid excessive craving for comfort. Live in the present, work hard, and achieve your goals – you’ll become a legend in your own right.
Lotus: Is there a personal philosophy that you have adopted in life as well as in the field?
Pritam Rani: A sportsperson lives with discipline, valuing regularity and time. I’ve never deviated from my training routine early in the day regardless of events at home. This consistent practice has propelled me forward and brought countless blessings. Another principle I hold dear is persistence.
No matter the challenges, pursue your dreams with determination. Tell yourself daily, “I can do it, I will do it.” If you set a goal and take sincere, earnest action, God will grant it to you. In my life, I’ve been blessed to receive what I’ve desired, and I’m deeply grateful for God rewarding my hard work and fulfilling my dreams.
Lotus: What is the role of the mind in achieving what you want?
Pritam Rani: Living in a joint family, I balanced many responsibilities. I traveled one and a half hours from Sonipat to Delhi for work, returned home to household duties, and maintained harmony despite complaints about my schedule. Managing my job, housework, hockey practice, and caring for my 7-month-old son, I still stayed focused on my goals.
Despite criticism, winning Gold for India in Manchester in 2002 made all the hardships fade away. Even my critics welcomed me at the airport. I embraced every hurdle, determined to make everyone proud. Challenges and criticism push you to grow and achieve success.
Lotus: How do you juggle and balance everything?
Pritam Rani: People often ask how I manage work, home, child, and practice. I believe God’s blessing keeps me energized. I’m diligent about time management, and completing tasks promptly. I wake up early, follow a structured schedule, and maintain mental relaxation. With my children grown up, I focus on coaching at my academy and caring for my family, including my husband and in-laws.
Lotus: How do you define your relationship with the Divine?
Pritam Rani: From a young age I have been devoted to Hanuman Ji, believing He would give me the strength to overcome any situation. Every day, after my bath, I do puja, praying for guidance and blessings.
Lotus: What do you envision or dream for yourself now?
Pritam Rani: In the next 7-8 years, I want to train more kids for the Indian hockey team. I am passionate about working at the grassroots level, preparing children from villages and cities, whether poor or rich, to represent India. My priorities are my health and fitness and coaching young hockey players. Whatever I can do to serve my country, I would love to dedicate myself to that.
Lotus: Is there a lighter moment you recall from your awe-inspiring journey?
Pritam Rani: The movie ‘Chak De! India’ was inspired by our 2002 Commonwealth win. One memorable moment, also depicted in the film, involved our team uniting to teach a lesson to a guy who teased one of our girls.
Lotus: What message do you give the youth, especially young women?
Pritam Rani: To all young women, I’d say “Never doubt your strength.” Believe you can achieve anything. I faced many hurdles, including family pressure to marry and financial constraints, but I set clear goals and focused on them step by step.
Love and support from family are crucial. Their encouragement propels you forward. Maintain a mindset of never giving up; you are meant to win. In today’s world, social media can be overwhelming. Start your day with meditation, exercise, and a structured routine for clarity. Don’t just dream; take action. Avoid excessive cravings for comfort and luxury. Live in the present, work hard, and achieve your goals – you’ll become a legend in your own right.
Picture courtesy: Pritam Rani Siwach and Navni Chawla
