Fellow archers shocked at the death of Pratima, who allegedly committed suicide.
The archery fraternity expressed shock over the untimely death of Pratima Boro, who allegedly committed suicide during the national camp at the Army Sports Institute here on Friday.
The 23-year-old archer was marked as one for the future and her death has left a big void in the sport.
“She was a jovial girl and very good in recurve. The incident has left us shell-shocked. Nobody guessed that she would take such a step. It has become very difficult for us to regroup,” said Arjun awardee Rahul Banerjee, who is in the Indian camp preparing for the World Cup to be held next month.
“Didi (as Pratima was fondly called by juniors) was very friendly and she was forthright in helping juniors, and I was one among them,” said Deepika Kumari, three years junior to Pratima at the Tata Academy in Jamshedpur. “I cannot believe that Didi is no more. I was returning from lunch when I saw all the archers running. I asked one of them and she said ‘didi kudkushi kar liya’. I was stunned.”
Pratima’s roommate Himani Baruah said: “I could not believe my eyes and it was just a few hours before when we were together and now she is not there anymore. I have no words to express how I miss didi.”
Expressing grief, coach Ravi Shankar, who has seen Pratima for many years, said that she was very focused and extremely well-mannered. “She was one of the medal prospects. She was very friendly with everyone, especially the juniors,” said the coach.
Pratima hailed from Fakiragram in Kokrajhar district and was a product of Tata Archery Academy.
An employee of NF Railway, Pratima has been in Pune for the past nine days. She was at a work out in the morning but was not seen after breakfast.
Malhotra demands enquiry
Shocked at the death of Pratima, Vijay Kumar Malhotra, president of Archery Association of India (AAI), has demanded a thorough investigation by the Army Sports Institute in Pune. “AAI will like to have the inquiry report from the concerned authority at the ASI at the earliest. I am surprised why she took such a step. It is very sad,” Malhotra said.
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