Adityanath comes to shooter Priya's rescue, instantly approves funds
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath approved funds to send 19-year-old shooter, Priya Singh to Germany for ISSF Junior World Cup after the news surfaced that she doesn't have funds for the journey. The daughter of a Dalit laborer in Meerut's Mawana, Priya defied odds to represent India in the 50m rifle prone at the competition, scheduled to start from June 22.
'Rare talent' Priya won competitions with borrowed rifle
Priya's journey to getting a letter from German Shooting Federation on May 22 wasn't easy. As an NCC cadet till 2017, she participated in various competitions using a borrowed rifle. From 2014 and 2017, Priya won 17 medals. At the 2016 and 2017, All India National Shooting Championship, she won gold. Indian junior team coach at NRAI, Deepak Dubey called Priya a rare talent.
Priya's father had to sell his buffalo to fund her
The lack of funds posed a major hurdle for Priya. Her father Brijpal Singh said he earned only Rs. 10,000 per month and moneylenders refused to help him. He even sold his buffalo and aimed to send Priya by taking a loan from friends. To send Priya to Germany, Rs. 4.5 lakh was needed, but Brijpal obviously couldn't arrange that amount himself.
Upset over condition, Priya and father wrote to PM Modi
Hoping to raise funds for Priya's journey, the family wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting for funds but didn't get a response. As per rules, the government funds travel and stay of top three finalists, but Priya had secured the fourth position. National Rifle Association Secretary, Rajiv Bhatia said they were helping Priya with a gun permit but financially, their hands were tied.
I personally visited PMO and left an application: Priya
"I personally visited the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and left an application. For three days, we also tried to meet Union minister of state for youth affairs and sports Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore," Priya revealed as she spoke about the ordeal they went through.
As news surfaces, Adityanath swiftly takes action
"As soon as I came to know about it, I instantly approved an amount of Rs. 4.5 lakh to be provided to her by the state government. Meerut District Magistrate has been asked to arrange her conveyance," said Yogi Adityanath a short while ago. With the funds, Priya, who already has the prestigious Raksha Mantri Award, will surely make us proud.
