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Training the guns
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R. BALAJI takes a snipe at the `shoot-at-sight' guys `n' gals of the city.
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THEY CAME, they `shot' and they conquered. It was a typical case of the proverbial `two birds at one shot'. For they won both, the hearts of the huge audience and the shooting contest they participated in. Hitting the bull's eye is no mean a task. But, 18-year-old Chaintanya Naidu achieved it in her maiden attempt at the contest conducted by the Krishna District Rifle Association, in the city recently.
With no formal training in shooting which is usually associated with gruelling practice sessions, the girl surprised everyone with her skilful aiming. Her stunning accuracy put her in the right track, paving way for victory. Taking time off to be part of the competition where the guns of the young blood boomed and blazed, paid off for Chaitanya who scored 37 points to emerge winner of the under-18 category for girls.
The achievement means a lot to her, for she had to deviate from her tight schedule chalked out for EAMCET preparation. Fortune favours the brave, they say. So was the case with Parthasaradhy Naidu, who took a wild chance and returned home basking in the glory of success. Taking risk and spontaneous decisions can, at times, open new doors. It was like some power within prompted the teenaged boy to grab the moment and start following his heart. And that's precisely what the 17-year-old Intermediate boy did to score 66 points, the highest score in the event, to be declared winner in the Under-18 Boys category. Participating in the shooting contest was fun for Parthasaradhy who did not come prepared for the win. "I feel elated,'' is all he could say. Chaitanya and Parthasaradhy, incidentally, are siblings. Their father, Suryanarayana Naidu is a transport operator and proud owner of an air rifle. The victory has only boosted the ambition of Chaitanya who now wants to join the Indian Air force or the Army, which is traditionally considered a male bastion. Being held for the second successive year, the shooting competition at the SRR college saw girls outnumbering boys. Out of the 60 odd entries received, there were 37 girls who lined up at the venue to test their shooting skills. But 17-year old P.Sowmya, an NCC cadet from Kakatiya Junior College wasn't that lucky at the championship as she could not secure more than 15 points despite her regular practice and had to bow out quickly out of the championship. Incidentally, Sowmya had bagged a gold medal in the `Thalsainik' shooting competitions held for NCC cadets at New Delhi in 2001. "It wasn't my day today, so I can't help it,'' said Sowmya with a deep sigh. Says Janardhana Murthy, secretary of the association, " Rifle shooting is a wonderful sport and we wish more number of people come forward to participate in the championships in the coming years.'' Apart from being a thrilling experience, shooting is known to improve a person's concentration, memory and focus in the day-to-day activities, he says. The association has been conducting free training and practice sessions in shooting every second and fourth Sundays of the month at the SRR College rifle range. The contestants need to bring their own air rifles or .2mm licensed fire arms. While air rifles costs between Rs 2,000-5,000, the fire arms prices range between Rs 5,000-1,25,000. But for the air rifles there is no need for licenses as it does not come under the Arms Act. "With air rifles you can practice shooting even in a range of just 10 metres and it would be real fun,'' says Mr Ramakrishna, joint secretary of the association. A businessman from the One Town area, Mr Ramakrishna who is one of the founder member of the association, says that besides being an entertaining sport, rifle shooting can help youngsters bag jobs under sports quota in government, public and private sector companies.
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Metro Plus
Bangalore
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Kochi
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Visakhapatnam
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