Can manage with this ration but desperately need a job: Prajakta

By Paritosh Pramanik

CITY athletes, who were living in dire straits, without a penny and unaware from where their next meal would be arranged since past several days, are now heaving a sigh of relief after several NGO, NMC and citizens came forward to help them with ration.
‘The Hitavada’ had reported the plight of international athlete Jyoti Chavan and her family a few days ago. Similar was the situation of another international athlete Prajakta Godbole who also represented India in World University Games held in Italy, along with Jyoti, last year.
The two athletes’ families are now getting help from various quarters and they feel indebted towards these good Samaritans.
Prajakta said, officials from Nagpur Municipal Corporation and others have given her ration which will last for over a month.
“Piyush Ambulkar sir (NMC Sports Officer) has helped my family. He has given me ration and other household things that will last for over a month. I am really thankful to him. Similarly, there are many other people coming and providing us with ration. I thank them all,” Prajakta said.
The 24-year-old Prajakta, who resides in Siraspeth, participated in 5000m race at the World University Games and had clocked 18:23.92.
Prajakta’s father Vilas is paralytic and bed-ridden while mother Aruna is jobless. She used to work at a catering service but since lockdown imposed, she is jobless. 
The promising middle-distance runner is pursuing Bachelor in Arts. Like Jyoti, Prajakta has also applied for sports quota job in Railways, CISF and other government institutions. But to her bad luck she did not receive the trials letter from CISF.
“I came to know later that a letter was dispatched by CISF for trials in February at my home address. But till date I did not receive any letter. The trials were held in February. Had I received the letter I would have appeared for the trials and might have landed the job,” Prajakta this newspaper.
“I desperately need a job so that I can take care of my parents. I have applied in various departments. A source of earning would help me in concentrating on my athletic career. Without job I can’t event think about athletics and practice,” concluded Prajakta.
Among others members of Centre for Awareness in Rural and Urban Development (CRD) donated essential commodities, vegetable and face masks to Godbole family. The members include Alok Pande, Rohit Trivedi.