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Romance by the waters
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The sport brought Jai Prakash and Vimala together and they've proved to be a winsome couple
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LOVE OF SPORT Narahari Jai Prakash Narayan and Vimala
What is it about the water that brings kindred souls together? Narahari Jai Prakash Narayan moved from his native Karimnagar to Hyderabad for the love of sport. Kayaking since 1993, his proficiency with the paddle grew till he was entrusted with newcomers in his charge.
Love actually
In 1998, a group of NCC naval wing cadets came to learn the ropes. Ever keen to popularise the sport, he was all too willing to impart his knowledge. But he devoted a little more of his attention to one girl cadet, Vimala. As her skill in the sport showed a rise, so did he grow more and more fond of her.
From mentoring, Jai Prakash began to motivate her too. While Vimala may have been shy, she took secret delight that the Andhra Pradesh team captain seemed so focussed on her! Yet she had apprehensions about her conservative parents, language being a barrier. So when he popped the question in 1999, she declined.
Over time, she said yes, but her parents refused. That didn't deter the love struck kayaking duo.
They decided to tie the knot in an Arya Samaj ceremony. The barriers between Vimala and her parents stood for about a month before they had a change of heart. When the young couple's baby arrived last year, the past was not only forgiven but forgotten too.
Prakash's prowess in the sport became more pronounced, meanwhile. His first medal was a silver at the 1995 Nationals at Bhaleswa Lake, near Delhi in the K-2, 200m. He slipped to a bronze at the same venue in the event's next edition. A string of achievements at the state level earned him the Meritorious Sportsman Award.
On a winning trail
Not to be left behind, Vimala claimed bronze in the 2001 Punjab National Games K-4 200 and 500 m races.
In her hometown Hyderabad, she was third in the K-4 200 m of the National Games. In state competition, she had established her credentials beyond doubt with a clutch of medals.
Jai Prakash is happy to train in Hussain Sagar, for while at the Lower Manair Dam in Karimnagar, where the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) Water Sports Academy is located, the waves hampered practice for many months in the year.
He's however sad that the Twin Cities have been indifferent to this exciting sport, talent being outsourced from the districts.
The sports binds this couple together, even if Vimala, who works with HSBC, doesn't find time for practice.
Jai Prakash is most content, for his job as caretaker of the Youth Hostel finds him on the Hussain Sagar waterfront, even when on duty.
A. JOSEPH ANTONY
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