SEE: Athlete forced to sell vegetables in Jharkhand

'There are several sportspersons in Ramgarh who are capable of winning laurels for the country, and the administration will ensure they get support.'

Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren came to the rescue of athlete Geeta Kumari, who was forced to sell vegetables in the streets of Ramgarh district to make ends meet.

Soren's timely intervention helped Kumari get Rs 50000 from the Ramgarh district administration and also a monthly stipend of Rs 3000 to pursue her athletics career.

After receiving information that Kumari was going through time times which forced her to sell vegetables, the chief minister directed the Ramgarh deputy commissioner to assist the youngster financially so that she could get back to her athletics career.

The Ramgarh deputy commissioner Sandeep Singh presented a cheque of Rs 50000 to Kumari on Monday and also announced the Rs 3000 monthly stipend to the athlete and arranged
for her training at a sports centre, an official release said.

Wishing the athlete all success in the world of sports, the deputy commissioner said, "There are several sportsperson in Ramgarh who are capable of winning laurels for the country, and the administration will ensure they get support."

"She sells vegetables and also is a final year BA student in Ananda College, Hazaribag, in the neighbouring district. Her family is financially weak and my sister wants to pursue her pet event. Now that the administration has given assistance she is very happy," Kumari's cousin Dhanjay Prajapati said.

Kumari had won eight gold medals at state-level walking competitions and won a silver medal and a bronze medal in competitions held in Kolkata.