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`Together we can make a difference'
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The rapport between ace shooters Jaspal Rana and Anjali Bhagwat comes through as they unwind, and rewind
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They have known each other for 17 years. And, as they belong to the same sport, they started together, went for competitions, and participated in shooting-related activities everywhere, and had loads of fun — all this together. And when one started her career, the other was already an icon. Still, the duo has been representing the country in the contests abroad, and fighting for the right causes and facilities in their chosen field back home.
Meet shooting sensation Jaspal Rana and ace shooter Anjali Bhagwat as they took a few minutes' break from their tight schedulesto unwind and rewind.
And once they started their tirade, all Shanti Nanisetti could do is just tune in and listen to the breezy conversation.
Anjali: Tell me how many girlfriends do you have at the moment?
Jaspal: Not a single one.
Anjali: Don't lie; tell me about the temporary ones at least.
Jaspal: There is nothing temporary in life, and nothing permanent.
Anjali: Be frank, reveal all your experiences in life (with a mischievous smile and glint in her eye)
Jaspal: I swear, I really don't have a single girlfriend.
Anjali: Okay, I believe you. But, what about `friends'?
Jaspal: Oh, I got loads of them — from Salvador, Australia, Italy. Hey, why don't you tell me about your boyfriends!
Anjali: I never had one. I wasn't interested in a boyfriend.
Jaspal: But lots of guys used to be after you.
Anjali: Haan, they used to like me, it's not my fault. I chose whatever was good for me. I was interested in extracurricular activities and pursued my career. And even before I realised it, I got engaged and married — to the right man.
Jaspal: We had good fun together at the Europe trip, remember? It was more than just a competition. Where I made you smoke...
Anjali: Zabardasti... and clicked a snap! How can I forget? I just got engaged and you wanted to show it to my fiancé. But you were kind enough to show him the photograph after marriage.
Jaspal: I'm always kind and good, only people don't believe it.
Anjali: You are a good cook though, and your chicken is something out of the world.
Jaspal: I cook everything very well.
Anjali: You are a born shooter But now, you seem to have lost interest in your profession.
Jaspal: How long do I sustain interest? I started very early when I was 16 and have been here for donkey's years now.
Anjali: Yeah, now you are old. See you have grey hair too...
Jaspal: (Interrupts) This is style, not old age.
Anjali: And your interests have changed now.
Jaspal: It's not like that. I haven't had a coach for the past two-three years. I haven't shot for one-and-a-half years now after jumping from national to national, trial to trial. Nobody really bothers about the sport.
Anjali: It's your responsibility as a shooter to give back something to the sport that gave you recognition. Why should our juniors suffer like us?
Jaspal: I made SAI my enemy by attempting to change the system.
Anjali: No, by fighting the system a lot of problems have been solved. We fought for coach Laszlo Szucsak, remember! Things can be solved with a positive attitude.
Jaspal: That's your way of thinking.
Anjali: Together we can and we should make a difference...
Jaspal: Let's make a difference.
Anjali: Perhaps, by opening an academy you can train juniors and initiate youngsters into this sport. That's what I'm going to do. What did the government give you when you were at the peak of your career? The scenario has changed now.
Jaspal: That time was different. But when you try to change the system, you need a lot of support which you don't get from any quarter. Nobody cries for others. Everybody has to cry for his own sorrows.
Anjali: Think about the others also. Don't be selfish. Now the participation has increased and there are a lot more trials and contests for youngsters.
Jaspal: Still, education is their first priority as there is no financial security in this field. But haan, this is not exactly a sport where one has to be physically strong.
Anjali: But a lot of concentration is required, so one needs that mental make-up. Okay, okay. Now you tell me what do you think about me.
Jaspal: You are stupid. You are a liar. And if you think I'm going to heap praises on you, forget it. But you are definitely a good, committed shooter and work very hard. If you expect me to say anything about your glamour, I won't.
Anjali: But you brought in glamour to the sport. When I started shooting in 1990, you were a sensation already.
Jaspal: (Interrupts) I still am.
Anjali: But it was never a male-dominated field. It's just that not many women were around. But ours was the best batch, na! We started together, went together for competitions and it was fun.
Jaspal: It was all like a good family get-together.
Anjali: When I joined the sport, I used to idolise you, dream about being like you... an icon.
Jaspal: I used to dream about you even before you joined.
Anjali: Liar, you are a flirt who misses his evening meets most.
Jaspal: I want to meet more people. The idea of such sports events is to know and mingle with people from other States and countries.
Anjali: There are male shooters also. Why don't you meet them? And when we exchange pins as a token of gift from our country, you give women shooters bindis.
Jaspal: Yeah, give them something useful no...
Anjali: ... Like a mangalsutra?
Jaspal: You know this is the maximum time I have spent at the shooting range.
Anjali: Otherwise, you are never there. You are definitely a flirt.
Jaspal: That's my image but I'm not a flirt.
Anjali: Every flirt says that. No, you are actually very friendly...
Jaspal: That's what I'm trying to tell you...
Anjali: ... Who befriends women only. You can't hoodwink me. I've seen you at different stages — from childhood to old age...
Jaspal: ... And old age home.
(And the banter continues... )
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