Central idea 

The article explores the challenges and triumphs of Indian women athletes, particularly runners, revealing their resilience against societal norms and discriminatory practices. Sohini Chattopadhyay’s book, “The Day I Became a Runner,” serves as a powerful narrative, intertwining the stories of champion women runners with India’s political and cultural evolution.

Key Highlights:

• The article explores the challenges and triumphs faced by Indian women athletes, particularly runners, navigating societal norms, laws, and personal obstacles.
• Sohini Chattopadhyay’s book, “The Day I Became a Runner,” serves as a lens to understand the history of Indian women through the narratives of champion runners.
• The stories of Mary D’Souza, Kamaljit Sandhu, P T Usha, Santhi Soundarajan, Pinki Pramanik, Dutee Chand, Lalita Babar, and others are intricately woven into the fabric of India’s political and cultural landscape.

Key Challenges:

• Gender norms and societal restrictions circumscribing outdoor activities for women in India.
• Struggles against patriarchy, poverty, identity, caste, and even controversial “sex tests” faced by women athletes.
• The need for safe public spaces, established training programs, and a cultural shift encouraging women’s participation in sports.

Key Terms:

• Sex test: A controversial practice involving the testing of biological parameters to define a woman athlete’s gender.
• Patriarchy: The social system where men hold primary power and predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, and social privilege.
• Stigma: Negative perceptions and attitudes associated with women athletes facing controversial tests or challenges.

Key Phrases:

• “A women’s history of India through the lens of sport”: Describes the book’s focus on portraying Indian women’s history through the stories of athletes.
• “To be a woman runner in India means to persevere in the face of tremendous odds”: Highlights the resilience required by women athletes to overcome societal barriers.

Key Quotes:

• “The book is both gripping and tough — gripping, so you don’t want to put it down, and tough, since the lives written up have been hard ones.”
• “The landmark verdict underlined that the World Athletics rules for female athletes discriminated against women by setting a threshold for testosterone.”

Anecdotes:

• Chattopadhyay’s own experiences as a woman runner, facing challenges of being the only woman in parks or roads.
• Stories of champion athletes like Mary D’Souza, P T Usha, and others, illustrating their resilience and achievements.

Key Statements:

• “There is no fairy-tale running story. And the training program is not what makes these lives harsh. It’s the many obstacles that these women must clear to simply do what they love — to run.”
• “Running requires safe public spaces, well-established training programs, and a culture that encourages women to occupy space in our streets and parks.”

Key Examples and References:

• Instances of women athletes facing hurdles such as the controversial “sex test” and societal stigmas.
• The case of Dutee Chand challenging and winning against discriminatory rules for female athletes.

Critical Analysis:

• The article critically analyzes the societal and cultural barriers that women athletes face in India.
• It emphasizes the significance of running as a sport that requires substantial investment, including safe spaces and supportive cultural attitudes.

Way Forward:

• Advocate for gender-inclusive sports culture, encouraging more women to participate in running and other athletic activities.
• Promote awareness and challenge discriminatory practices like the controversial “sex tests” to create a more equitable sports environment for women.
• Continue to document and celebrate the stories of champion women athletes as a means of inspiration and advocacy for gender equality in spor

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now