Bhubaneswar: Odisha has extended its step in the snow sports arena with State’s ‘Snow Girl’ Ranjita Behera selected to represent it in the second Khelo India National Winter Games-2021 at Gulmarg in Jammu & Kashmir from February 19-25 in Alpine Ski event.
Notably, she is the only qualified skier from the State to be selected by Ski & Snowboard India to participate in the Senior National Ski & Snowboard Championships-2021 to be held in Uttarakhand from February 26-28.
The Department of Sports & Youth Services (DoSYS) has shown keen interest in the snow sports and provided her with all sorts of assistance in order for her to participate in the said Championships as a first Skier of the State.
She is ready to move to the snow slopes for her pre-event practice.
Her keen interest in adventure sports prompted her to undergo different adventure trainings after completion of her graduation.
She was the one amongst the final team members of the first Biju Patnaik Himalayan Expedition-2016 to Mt.Rudugaira organized by DoSYS.
She has successfully completed the Method of Instruction courses in Mountaineering & Snow skiing from the reputed training Institutes of India.
Apart from this, she has completed the Trip India Leader and Wilderness First Responder courses from the prestigious National Outdoor Leadership School, USA having its training area in Indian Himalayas.
Wishing her the very best her upcoming events for the at Khleo India Winter Games 2021 and National Championships, Minister for Sports and Youth Services, Odisha, Tusharkanti Behera said, “It is a moment of pride for us that Ms. Behera will be the first Odia from the state to participate in Snow Games”.
“This is no small feat considering Odisha’s terrain and climate. With sheer grit and hard-work she has achieved this. Her dedication to be a Skier is commendable and we will extend all necessary support to excel and bring medals. She will be an inspiration for others, especially young girls, who may have dreams to follow the sport of skiing”, said the Minister.
Ranjita expressed her heartfelt thanks to the Minister, Sports and officials of the DoSYS, her mentor and well-wishers for their unconditional assistance and appeals to them to give mental support during her stay in the adverse conditions in the snow slopes to compete with the participants of snowfall states.
Ranjita hails from the steel city of Rourkela and the youngest daughter of Raghunath Behera and Annapurna Behera. Her father is a retired employee of Rourkela Steel Plant.
She is also an NCC. ‘C’ certificate holder from the Directorate of NCC, Odisha.
