Sewai-Kheer, Halwa Poori, Kadhi await Asian Games triple gold winner Ojas Deotale

By Paritosh Pramanik

ARCHER Ojas Pravin Archana Deotale’s favourite dishes Sewai-Kheer, Halwa Poori and Kadhi’ will be awaiting the Asian Games triple gold medal winner, when he returns to Nagpur in a few days.

“He loves Sewai-Kheer, Halwa Poori and Kadhi like anything. He has asked me to prepare his favourite dishes when he returns home. I will be preparing his favourite dishes with added flavour of ‘extra-love’ to it,” Archana Deotale, the proud mother of India’s pride Ojas, told ‘The Hitavada’.

On Saturday morning, Ojas won the gold medal, his third of the Games, defeating compatriot Abhishek Verma in the men’s compound individual event.

In a battle between the master and apprentice, it was the 21-year-old reigning world champion Ojas, who emerged winner.

Ojas, who became the first Indian male World Champion at Berlin in August early this year, overwhelmed the 34-year-old 149-147.

“Abhishek Sir was under pressure, while Ojas looked calm in the final,” said his father Pravin.

Ojas’ mother Archana said her son was at a loss of words when we called him.

“He did not speak a word. He was just smiling and crying. Those were tears of joy. I think it is yet to sink in for Ojas,” Archana narrated about her first video interaction with Ojas over phone on Saturday morning.

Their ancestral home in Ganesh Nagar wore a festive look. There was a huge celebration. All the family members and neighbours gathered at their home and witnessed Ojas rewrite history on Saturday morning. They applauded after each arrow that pierced the butt (the target board) giving him 10 points.

Family and friends danced to drumbeats to celebrate the gold medal in Ganesh Nagar. Sweets were distributed as Deotales soaked in the pre-diwali celebration.

Just like every night during the Games, the Deotales had a conference call with Ojas on the eve of the final (Friday). They talked about the last gold medal at stake.

The talk then diverted towards elder brother Jatin’s birthday (October 8).

The elder brother asked Ojas to give him the third gold medal as a birthday gift. Ojas, assured that it will be ‘delivered’. ‘Bhaiyya, gold medal gift me pakka dunga (Brother, I will definitely give you the third gold medal as gift, promise.’ 

Nagpur's only Asian Games gold medal winning archer kept his promise and ‘delivered’ the gift from China.

“He was talking so confidently early in the night. He sounded calm and was tension free. His reply to his brother about gifting gold medal came even before Jatin could complete his sentence.

Her son has made the country proud and Archana feels that it's now time for the government to take care of the gold medal winner.

“I think the Maharashtra Government should ensure medal winners from our State get decent government jobs. Look at Punjab, Haryana and a few other States. The medal winners are getting direct government jobs and a good post. That helps a sportsperson in concentrating only on his performance and don’t have to think too much about their future. If the future is secured, the sportspersons will deliver handsomely. Our city has two big leaders in Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. They can do it. 

“Yesterday DCM Fadnavis called us and congratulated us for Ojas’ medal winning feat. He assured to help the sportspersons. I hope something positive will come out after Ojas’ triple medal effort.

The Deotales feel that Nagpurians would come out in large numbers to celebrate Ojas’ homecoming.

“Last time when he became World Champion, there was hardly anybody to welcome and celebrate at the airport. Ojas will be landing in Delhi the day after tomorrow and then will have a reception with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In all probability, he will return to Nagpur on October 11. Hope Nagpurians give him a grand welcome,” Archana signed off.

How a 15-min pep-talk with mother fetched gold for Ojas

By Paritosh Pramanik

THEY spent a sleepless night before their son, Nagpur’s very own Ojas Pravin Deotale, clinched India’s maiden gold medal in the compound mixed team event at the Hangzhou Asian Games on Wednesday morning. The 21-year-old reigning world champion Ojas, partnering with Jyothi Surekha Vennam downed second-seeded Korean pair of So Chaewon and Joo Jaehoon 159-158 to clinch the gold medal for India.

Ojas’ parents — father Pravin and mother Archana — could not sleep the whole night as they were anxious for their son’s final event. They were sure of their son giving his best for the country but were still apprehensive.

“We could not sleep the whole night. I was looking at the clock every minute...waiting for the alarm to ring,” said Pravin while talking with ‘The Hitavada’ after Ojas’ gold winning feat.

“We still got up as early as 5 am and were in front of the TV,” he added.

There were tears of joy in the Deotale couple’s eyes as the national anthem was played at the archery range in Hangzhou. With the gold medal dangling around a smiling Ojas’ neck, his father Pravin felt over the moon.

“That moment brought out all of Ojas’ childhood memories. They way he shifted from skating to archery, his daily tantrums where he used to break brooms to make bow and arrow, to going for coaching under Zeeshan sir at Bada Tajbagh...all those memories filled my heart,” said Pravin, a civil contractor.

“I was overwhelmed when the national anthem was played. What a proud moment it was. For once, we felt that we should have been there (at Hangzhou) to celebrate the moment,” said Pravin, who never stopped his son from taking his decision in life.

On Tuesday night, Ojas had called his mother Archana and talked for about 15 minutes. “He was a little nervous. It was a big final and he was feeling pressure. He said to me ‘What will happen tomorrow. I am feeling nervous. I want to win gold for my country.’

“I calmed him down and said that you have done all the right things till now and have worked hard to reach where you are. You have to go and do what you are doing regularly. Give your best and you will achieve success,” Archana narrated her talk with Ojas.

“I told him not to think about the result and enjoy the moment. Whatever be the outcome you will remain the champion for us. Those words calmed Ojas a bit. He said ‘Aai you are not like other parents who put pressure on their wards to win gold. You always tell me to enjoy the moment and celebrate the outcome’. This, I think, helped him settle a bit,” stated Archana.

That 15-minute pep-talk gave a world of confidence to Ojas helping him claim the gold medal.

Ojas, who became India’s first male archer to be crowned world champion this August, has another chance to claim a gold medal in the individual event on Saturday.

“We are sure that he will make India proud again. He is a hard worker and dedicates himself fully to the task,” said Pravin.

Ojas was into skating when he was a kid but his interest grew in archery while in school.

“He told me that he wanted to play archery. Earlier, it was leisure but gradually he started gaining interest in the bow arrow sport. He started going for coaching at Trimurti Nagar NIT ground and then shifted to Bada Tajbagh under Zeeshan,” Pravin shared Ojas’ journey.

“Even though archery was not that popular, I never stopped him from playing it. I only wanted him to play at least one sport,” said Pravin, who himself attended NCC shooting camp in New Delhi.

“Ojas has inherited ‘aim’ sport from his forefathers. My grandfather and father were fond of rifle shooting. I still love rifle shooting. I was a 7.62 rifle snap shooter and won a silver medal at the RD parade. I did not get proper coaching hence could not pursue my dream. Ojas got proper coaching and guidance at the right time which helped him achieve the glory,” Pravin concluded.