Dehradun-based Vandana Panwar (23), who has just graduated (in English, economics and political science) from HNB Garhwal University, is the winner of the gold medal in the giant slalom snow skiing event of the National Winter Games held earlier (February) this year, at Gulmarg in Kashmir. Crossing the finishing line ahead of 30 contestants from India and abroad, Panwar romped home with a gold medal, a trophy and cash prize of Rs.1 lakh.
Panwar attributes her skiing prowess to her late father R.S. Panwar of the Indo-Tibetan Border Force, who encouraged her brother Vivek, and her to take to ‘extreme sports’. She learned to ski in 1998 and discovered that it was her metier.
In 2002 she became eligible to participate in the senior category, but had to make do with the silver medal. “I believe that most people under-estimate themselves and the capability of the human spirit. After failing to strike gold for seven years, I doubled my practice hours and sessions,” says Panwar who also signed up for a 15-day training programme of the Winter Games Federation of India in January, just before the national championship was staged in Gulmarg.
Raised in the hills of Uttarakhand in the foothills of the Himalayas, adventure sports are a natural option for Panwar. Apart from whistling down ski slopes, this outdoor enthusiast learned to water ski at the Assan Barrage (Dehradun), and has completed basic and advance courses in moun-taineering of the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi. She also trekked to the summit of Draupadi Ka Danda (5,716 ft) last summer.
An avid reader of fiction who is also into music and travel, Panwar intends to carve a career path in the travel and tourism industry. But right now, her priority is to participate in as many national/international giant slalom skiing events as possible, to prepare for the Winter Olympics of 2010.
“I’ve already been selected for the 2009 South Asian Federation Games that will be held in Auli (Uttarakhand). But my goal is to perform at the Winter Olympics of 2010. Standing at the topmost position on the winner’s podium provides an exhilaration that’s unparalleled. I want to be able to experience that glorious feeling over and over on the world stage. It may not happen, but I want to give it my best shot,” says Panwar.
Attagirl!
Natasha Pathak (Dehradun)