When Rutuja’s parents followed her in a ferrry at Ambazari lake
| Date :14-Apr-2020 |
(Above) Rutuja Talegaonkar with parents. (Left) Rutuja flashing victory sign in the pool.
By Mahesh S Kale :
A PERSON’S desire to accomplish something is reflected through one’s hard work and dedication towards one’s goal. The same can be said for city’s ace swimmer Rutuja Talegaonkar who, with her patience and perseverance, won several international, national and state awards. Rutuja, who as a swimmer won highest number of medals for Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University and is also a 2017 District Sports Award winner, was earlier unmindful of her swimming abilities till the time she was introduced to it through Kamgar Kalyan Kendra summer camp. Talking to ‘The Hitavada’ her mother Mukta Talegaonkar said, “I had enrolled Rutuja at Kamgar Kalyan Kendra Unhala Shibir so that she get a chance to play and interact with other children.
The camp that lasted for two months also included a visit to the swimming tank once a week. I think it was during this camp when Rutuja got fascinated with the pool activities rather than the overall camp. “As soon as the camp got over, I signed up Rutuja for swimming and after that she never looked back. From that moment till today swimming has become an important part of her life,” she added. Mukta, a retired high school teacher said, “Rutuja is very dedicated and extremely hard working girl. I have seen her train during heavy rains and harsh cold.
I also remember Sanjay Batwe sir wearing raincoat and cap sitting beside the pool and motivating swimmers to go for one more lap,” she said. When Rutuja first took to deep waters as a young learner, the concerned parents had taken a ferry at the Ambazari lake during her training session along with the coach. Recollecting some old memories Mukta said, “When Rutuja was preparing for open sea swimming competition she used to train at the Ambazari lake. She being my only daughter I was worried. Rutuja’s father Dr Bhimashankar Talegaonkar, coach Batwe sir and I took a small ferry and followed the swimmer’s path.” Rutuja’s medal hunt began when she was not even ten.
“She won her first medal at the age of nine and the sole reason behind her massive medal haul was hard work. Seeing her work ethics, dedication and hard work I knew she would climb the ladder high,” said Mukta. Rutuja never compromised with her education. “Rutuja is equally good in academics. She got 89 per cent in SSC and 92 per cent in Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC),” Mukta said. On being asked about any sacrifices or adjustments she had to make as a mother, Mukta said, “Being my only child we supported her wholeheartedly. Even the Father of St Anthony’s High School where I used to teach gave me permission to travel with Rutuja for her tournaments.
Rutuja’s father always made sure that all arrangements and necessary items were in place.” During the discussion she also stated that Rutuja winning medals one after the another at the All India University Games was her proudest moment. “Rutuja won three golds, two silver and one bronze at the All India University Games in Jalandhar and that is probably my happiest and proudest moment till date,” Mukta concluded.