Telangana Gurukul Student Agasara Nandini Scripts History At Asian Athletics Championship
Agasara Nandini, a student of Telangana's Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TGSWREIS), returned home to a rousing welcome after clinching a gold medal in the heptathlon at the 26th Asian Athletics Championship 2025, held recently in Thailand. This remarkable achievement marks a historic first for a student from Telangana's Gurukul institutions on the Asian stage. These Gurukuls provide residential educational facilities for children from the most deprived sections of the society. On her arrival at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Nandini was accorded a ceremonial reception by a large contingent of TGSWREIS senior officials and staff.
She later met with Dr. V.S. Alugu Varsini, Secretary of the Society, at the Head Office, Masab Tank, where she was felicitated for her outstanding performance.
"The Asian record I set remains untouched so far, and that fills me with immense pride. But this is just the beginning. My next goal is to win Olympic gold for India. This is not the time to rest it's time to train harder, aim higher, and stand tall on the global podium,"Nandini said at the felicitation.
She attributed her success to the unwavering support and professional training provided by the Gurukul system.
"The consistent encouragement from our Secretary Dr. Varsini Ma'am, who recognised and nurtured my talent personally, gave me tremendous confidence. I discovered my passion for sports in Class VI, and every step from state to national, and now international competitions was backed fully by my institution," she added.
Reflecting on her performance despite sustaining an injury during the Asian Games, Nandini noted with emotion that it was the moral and logistical support from the Gurukul leadership that inspired her to defy the odds and secure gold.
Dr. V.S. Alugu Varsini, applauding Nandini's exemplary feat, said the young girl had emerged as a national inspiration.
"Her determination and performance exemplify the potential embedded in our residential education model. We will continue to provide her with advanced training, technical support, and all necessary assistance to prepare her for the Olympic Games."
She said the Society had paid for Nandini's travel and competition expenses and would continue to extend full financial and infrastructural support.
"This is the first time a Telangana Gurukul student has brought home a gold medal from the Asian Athletics Championship-an achievement that fills us with pride," she added.
Dr. Varsini also commended Nandini's parents Mr. Agasara Ellappa and Ms. Ayamma for their unwavering encouragement and support, both of who were visibly overwhelmed with pride.
"Their belief in their daughter's dream deserves special recognition," she said.
Highlighting the Telangana Government's commitment to sports, Dr. Varsini said Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had been prioritising sports development in the State. "His vision is to see athletes from Telangana win medals at the Olympic level. Nandini's journey is a shining embodiment of that dream."
She also emphasised that students like Nandini reflect the transformative power of the Gurukul education system.
"Her discipline, perseverance, and patriotism inspire us all. The Society remains dedicated to providing world-class facilities and mentorship to SC students, enabling them to shine on global platforms."
Coaches, physiotherapists, dieticians, academic staff, and training partners were lauded for their crucial roles in preparing the young athlete.
Nandini's victory is not just a personal triumph but a beacon of hope for countless young girls across Telangana. Her unwavering dedication and trailblazing journey are expected to serve as an inspiration for future generations, particularly from marginalised communities.
"She stands today not only as a champion but as a role model. Nandini has become the face of possibility, discipline, and excellence emerging from Telangana's Gurukul institutions," said Dr. Varsini.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
29 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
NBA working on plan for US-vs.-world format at All-Star Game next season, AP source says
OKLAHOMA CITY — The NBA is working on a plan to turn next season's All-Star Game into a U.S.-vs.-world competition, a person with knowledge of the situation said Wednesday. It remains unclear how the format will work, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the league has not made any final determinations. Speaking to Fox Sports 1 earlier Wednesday, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver — who has talked about such a game on multiple occasions — was asked if U.S. vs. the world is possible. 'Yes,' Silver said. Silver addressed the idea on March 27 as well at the league's most recent board of governors meeting, when he revealed that the NBA was scrapping the All-Star mini-tournament format that was used this season. At that time, the reported that the 2026 game — to be played Feb. 15 in Inglewood, California, just past the midpoint of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics — will be moved from its traditional prime-time Sunday night slot to one that starts on Sunday afternoon. That's happening because the game will be aired on NBC under the terms of the new 11-year media rights deals that kick in next season. NBC is also the Olympic broadcaster in the U.S. So, NBC could show Olympic events in the morning and early afternoon, then the All-Star Game, then have prime-time Olympic programming. The move comes on the heels of a popular tournament, the 4 Nations Face-off, that essentially took the place of the NHL All-Star Game this year, as well as strong competition at the Paris Olympics, where the Americans won a fifth consecutive gold medal by rallying past Nikola Jokic and Serbia in the semifinals, then topping host France and Victor Wembanyama in the title game — behind a barrage of late 3-pointers from Stephen Curry. 'What better time to feature some form of USA against the world?' Silver said on FS1. 'I'm not exactly sure what the format will be yet. I obviously paid a lot of attention to what the NHL did, which was a huge success. ... But also, going back, last summer, our Olympic competition was a huge success.' There is one big challenge regarding any U.S.-vs.-world format. About 70% of NBA players are American, while 30% are international, so it would in theory be easier for an international player to make the All-Star team — if the rosters are the same size. International players, when asked at this year's All-Star Game if they would want a U.S.-vs.-world matchup, sounded enthusiastic. 'I would love to. My opinion is that it's more purposeful,' Wembanyama said back in February. 'There's more pride in it. More stakes.' Added Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo, who's from Greece: 'I would love that. Oh, I would love that. I think that would be the most interesting and most exciting format. I would love that. For sure, I'd take pride in that. I always compete, but I think that will give me a little bit more extra juice to compete.' The latest format for the All-Star Game — a four-team, three-game mini-tournament in San Francisco with the first team to 40 points winning each — was a miss. It came after years of the league asking players for a more competitive game. The 211-186 final score at Indianapolis in 2024 was the last straw, and the league — for one year, anyway — thought the tournament was the answer. NBA: /hub/NBA
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
India spikers plead for more games after silver show in CAVA Men's Nations League
CHENNAI: Despite having their backs to the wall, the India men's volleyball team showed glimpses of what they can achieve with a little bit of support. Playing in their first tournament since the Asian Games two years ago, India earned the silver medal at the CAVA Nations League in Fergana, Uzbekistan. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While India lost twice to a second-string Iran (world No. 15) side, including the 0-3 (17-25, 20-25, 19-25) defeat in the final on Wednesday, they had four successive victories sandwiched between the results. After giving a good account of themselves, considering the difficult circumstances, the players pleaded for more exposure to scale greater heights. To lend perspective, India jumped more than 100 places during the event to reach No. 51 in the rankings. 'We had only a three-week camp before the tournament and did not play any practice matches. We still managed to reach the final. It shows that we can perform at this level if we have more game time under our belt,' setter A Muthusamy told TOI from Fergana. Opposite hitter Jerome Vinith echoed Muthusamy's sentiments. 'We need to have camps for a longer duration; we need to be together for about three months. We must also play more matches against international teams; match practice is pretty important,' said Vinith, one of the more experienced members in the squad. Vinith and Muthusamy stressed that the players and staff, led by head coach Dragan Mihailovic, were determined to prove a point at the Nations League. 'We were highly motivated coming into the tournament. Dragan and his staff worked day and night to ensure that we were well-prepared to take on any opponent. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now They have helped us adapt to modern volleyball with their inputs,' said the 32-year-old Vinith. 'We were a bit rusty in our first match against Iran (Pool A clash), but the players gelled better on court as the tournament progressed. The good thing for us was that different players stood up at different times; it was a total team effort,' Muthusamy added. According to Vinith, the 'right' make-up of the squad helped India display their potential. 'There was a good mix of youth and experience. While the youngsters brought the energy to the court, players like me tried to pass on our knowledge to them. We have seen instances when teams packed with youngsters or experienced players have struggled,' Vinith said.
Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Indian Express
5 audiobooks to keep you running even when your legs say stop
Running is not just a test of endurance, it is a journey of the mind. Whether you are chasing a marathon PR, struggling to stay consistent, or simply seeking motivation to lace up, the right audiobook can push you past mental roadblocks and keep your feet moving. To celebrate Global Running Day, which falls on the first Wednesday of June, we've curated a list of the best audiobooks for runners. From inspiring memoirs to practical training insights, these titles go beyond the miles—offering fuel for the body, mind, and spirit. Whether you're on a long run or a quick jog, these stories will keep pace with you. The celebrated Japanese novelist reflects on how over 40 years of running (he started in 1982) shaped his creative process and philosophy. Murakami connects marathon training to writing discipline, exploring themes of solitude, aging, and consistency. His meditative observations – from Tokyo's Jingu Gaien running path to Greece's original marathon route – paint running as spiritual practice. Ray Porter's calm narration mirrors Murakami's introspective style. This memoir resonates most with runner-writers and those who find clarity in motion. The audiobook makes a case for maintaining passion through decades of physical and creative work. This is Roll's comeback story where he details his metamorphosis from an alcoholic, overweight lawyer to plant-powered endurance phenomenon. The audiobook chronicles his training for the Epic5 Challenge (5 Ironman triathlons in 5 Hawaiian islands) and other superhuman feats achieved after age 40. Roll's self-narration strikes a note of authenticity as he discusses addiction, vegan nutrition, and midlife reinvention. Packed with practical advice on how a plant-based diet and mental resilience, it's particularly inspiring for those on the other side of 40. The revised edition includes new recovery and longevity insights. The Olympic medalist reveals how positive psychology propelled her career. Kastor details her training under coach Joe Vigil in high-altitude Alamosa, where she replaced self-doubt with gratitude mantras and process-focused thinking. Her narration is passionate when describing breakthrough races such as the 2004 Olympic bronze and Chicago Marathon win. Beyond athletic achievements, she shares touching personal stories about miscarriage, team dynamics, and balancing motherhood with running. This book can guide one on how to cultivate optimism during tough workouts – valuable for competitive runners and everyday joggers alike. At 104 years young, world-record-holding sprinter Ida Keeling shares her extraordinary journey from a depression-era child labourer to centenarian athlete. After losing both sons to violence in the 1970s, Keeling's daughter encouraged her to run at age 67 – a decision that became her salvation. Lisa Renee Pitts' vibrant narration captures Keeling's Bronx grit and deep faith as she describes setting records (including the 60m dash for ages 95-99) and outliving racism, poverty, and grief. More than a running memoir, this is a testament to resilience, with Keeling's mantra: 'God's not done with me yet.' Essential listening for anyone needing proof that purpose has no expiration date. At 49, depressed and unable to run 60 seconds straight, Nita Sweeney discovered life-saving therapy: running with her dog. This raw, witty memoir chronicles her journey from mental health struggles to marathon finish lines, proving exercise can combat depression when medication falls short. Sarah Zimmerman's narration perfectly captures Sweeney's self-deprecating humor and hard-won wisdom. Unlike typical running guides, this focuses on emotional healing – how pounding pavement builds resilience, and how canine companionship anchors us in dark times. Ideal for runners battling depression or anyone needing proof that transformation begins with one step (or paw). A moving testament to running's power to rebuild broken spirits.
