Ara: Overcoming personal loss and financial hardships, young archer Sanskriti Raj from Akhtiyarpur village in Bihar’s Bhojpur district is making a mark at the national level, bringing recognition to the state through her achievements in archery.
Sanskriti lost her mother when she was just eight years old. However, with the support and encouragement of her father, Mukesh Gupta, she continued pursuing her dreams despite limited financial resources and challenging family circumstances.
Her talent came to light in 2023 when coaches were scouting for promising archers in schools. Neeraj Kumar Singh, an international archery coach, spotted Sanskriti, then a Class VIII student at Akhtiyarpur School, and selected her for training.
This marked the beginning of her journey in archery.
Father bought her first bow for Rs 6,000
Supporting his daughter’s ambition was not easy for Mukesh Gupta. He had worked for a long time at a jewellery shop to support his family. Recently, he secured a job as a peon at Kshatriya High School in Ara on compassionate grounds following his wife’s death.
Despite financial constraints, he managed to save Rs 6,000 to buy Sanskriti her first bow and arrows.
The Veer Kunwar Singh Stadium, where she trains, is around six to seven kilometres from her village. Nevertheless, Sanskriti regularly reaches the stadium by 7 am for practice. Her discipline, consistent training and determination have helped her improve her performance.
Since beginning her archery journey in 2023, she has represented Bihar in School Games as well as junior and senior national-level competitions.
Silver medal at Jaipur championship
Sanskriti recently achieved a major milestone by winning the silver medal at the Junior National Archery Championship held in Jaipur, securing second place among competitors from across the country.
Currently a student at S.B. School in Maulabagh, Ara, she has also been selected to represent Bihar at the upcoming Senior National Archery Championship in Meghalaya.
Her progress has been supported by the guidance and training of international archery coach Neeraj Kumar Singh.
From overcoming the loss of her mother at a young age to winning a national-level medal, Sanskriti’s journey reflects her determination, her father’s sacrifices and the importance of opportunities and support in nurturing sporting talent.
