Indian cities not sports friendly for women: Author Sohini Chattopadhyay

Nagpur: Author Sohini Chattopadhyay highlighted the pressing issue of India's unwelcoming environment for women in sports at the launch event of her book ‘The Day I Became a Runner' organised by Vidarbha Literary Festival at Chitnavis Centre on Saturday.Sohini expressed concern over the lack of safe public spaces for women to engage in physical activities such as a normal morning walk, stating that Indian cities are poorly equipped in terms of both safety and infrastructure.During the discussion, Chattopadhyay delved into themes of self-competition and her belief that pure sports, particularly running, play a vital role in empowerment. She shared that her book acknowledges lesser-known sports personalities, one being Santhi Soundarajan, whose story is often overlooked. Soundarajan was disqualified from competition due to androgen insensitivity syndrome, leading to her being effectively erased from sporting history. Chattopadhyay stressed the need to shed light on such narratives, sharing a UN study indicating that approximately 1.7% of people are born with variations in XX and XY chromosomes.Chattopadhyay also acknowledged the gradual increase in women's participation in sports, despite ongoing safety concerns that must be addressed. She praised the talent of women in disciplines like shooting, noting that it is surprisingly more affordable to learn than badminton, which is often more popular among women.Reflecting on the broader context of poverty in India, she shared a poignant anecdote about Dutee Chand, who, upon receiving her first salary as a constable in 2003, was able to buy eggs for her family for the first time at the age of 22. This moment underscores how India lacks in basic necessities such as food even though it has a significantly high GDP. In her acknowledgments, Chattopadhyay expressed gratitude to Ramchandra Guha, recognising him as a generous mentor who helped her refine her book. She further shared how she drew inspiration for her title from the Iranian film ‘The Day I Became a Woman', which portrays different stages of a woman's life, further emphasising her focus on women's experiences in sports and society.Through her work, Chattopadhyay seeks to bring attention to the challenges women face in the realm of sports in India and the need for a more supportive environment.
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