Seema Verma: A maid turned runner who now earns in lakhs
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The passion that flourished
“Whenever I feel low, I run. It transports me to another world," Seema Verma once told a reporter. Her passion for running could not be kept hidden for long while she was working as domestic help and now she is a runner by profession.
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Inspiring others
Verma, a resident of Nalasopara has won many running events over the last few years, but it is her personal story of courage and determination that inspires fellow-runners the most.
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Surviving an abusive marriage
Verma is a 38-year-old single mother to a 19-year-old son. She survived an abusive marriage. She worked as domestic help before one of the “memsahibs” helped her take up running professionally.
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How much Verma earns?
Today, Verma makes a living only out of running. She said that when she finishes in the podium, she gets something like Rs 20,000 and collectively, these earnings help her survive. Considering she finished on the podium in 14 of the races she ran through 2019, it would be safe to assume that she made over Rs 2 lakh – considerably more than a domestic help would make in a year.
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Not an elite marathoner yet
Verma isn’t an elite marathoner yet— a title that requires women to complete the 42-km run in roughly 3:05 hours — but she finished on the podium of the Tata Mumbai Marathon held in January with a timing of 3:52:58 hours.
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The struggle
Verma was married at the age of 17 to an alcoholic who deserted her and their son within four years of their wedding. Forced to fend for herself and her toddler, she took up odd jobs, including being a househelp. One of her employers, who knew about Verma’s love for sports, pushed her to take up running to supplement her income. Now, eight years after starting her journey as a runner, she only depends on running to survive.