One event won't bring big social change, we've a long way to go, says shooter Manu Bhaker

NEW DELHI: Manu Bhaker, the most well-known 22-year-old in the country right now, walked into TOI's office on Friday with the kind of poise, self-assurance and calm that made her master of the big moments at the Chateauroux shooting range, 300km south of Paris.

India's only woman shooter to win an Olympic medal, and the first sportsperson since Independence to win two medals at a single Olympic Games, already has the presence of mind and sangfroid that eludes many older athletes.

With Manu were her parents and coach Jaspal Rana, who together form a solid pillar of support for the shooter. She answered question after question with rare candour.

Rana, a top shooter in his days who has seen Manu through many ups and downs, including a bitter falling out at one stage, interjected when he needed to.

Asked if it was important to feel nervous before going out to shoot, Manu replied, "I think as my coach says... only two kinds of people will feel nervous."

Rana intervened: "Only two kinds of people will not feel nervous!" Manu, smiling, immediately corrected herself, "Only two will not feel nervous." "The dead and the dumb," both said together. It was clear the jugalbandi between coach and pupil has been restored, and the good times are back.

Manu is nothing if not resilient, and her tattoo of the phrase 'Still I Rise' from the Maya Angelou poem serves as a constant inspiration. "I saw it on Pinterest, and then I was like, I really like this. And I took my own meaning from it. I was not aware of any poems or anything."

So will her success change the attitude towards women in conservative Indian families, in her native Haryana and beyond?

"One event can bring about some change, but if you want to see bigger change, it has to be persistent," Manu answered thoughtfully. "It cannot be one event. If this could happen, we will suddenly see change in society. It takes a lot of time for significant change to happen."

Manu, clearly wise beyond her years, is already a pathbreaker. For now, it's time to bask in the glory of Paris. Then, it will be onwards to LA Olympics.