Want to open a wrestling academy in Haryana: Babita Phogat

“Rajasthan mein aakar paneer roti kaun khata hai...” she said, pausing to ask, “Daal baati choorma milega?” (Who comes to Rajasthan and eats paneer roti/Can I get some daal baati choorma?)

Babita Phogat wasn't just attending Rajasthan Patrika's Keynote in Jodhpur on Saturday. She was back in her nanihaal (mother's place), keen to taste some of the authentic flavours.

The younger Phogat sister, energetic despite a morning filled with practice and travel, spoke about her simple success mantra at the ideafest. “First, find something you really really want to get. Then focus all your energies on getting it. You will lose, but don't give up, it'll happen,” she said.

Babita Phogat, or Babita Kumari as she's officially known, doesn't let the Dangal-acquired stardom distract her. She appreciates what the film has done for her and her family, especially her parents, but it doesn't change anything in her day-to-day life.

In this interview with Catch, she speaks about the struggles she's had to face, the significance of sports in Haryana, and of her plans to take her state – and especially its women – forward.

“Since so many sportspersons come from Haryana, it is necessary they get the right platform to push them forward. So we'd like to open a wrestling academy in Haryana, because recently a lot of parents have been showing interest in teaching their children wrestling,” she shares, adding, “If anyone can support this initiative, it would be great.”

Speaking about women in sports, she says, “If there's absolutely any way I can support a female sportsperson, I'd do it. No matter what sport women do well in, I feel happy.”

“It's a victory for us, if more and more women excel in their chosen field. It's a victory for women, for woman power,” she says, proudly.