Indus Valley Times

By Swagatika Bhutia

Bhubaneswar, March 26: Stars do not shine on the sky alone. Hard work and doggedness have many often helped men and women to get catapulted to the heights from where they become epitomes. C A Bhavani Devi is one of those to to be in the galaxy of sports stars scaling the peaks to the fame of Tokyo Olympics in fencing.
It has not only become a moment of pride for her, but her mentors like the KIIT & KISS, two regular launch pads to spring up talents like Bhavani, herself a student of KIIT Deemed to be University.
All said and done, one cannot grudge the founder of the above two institutions Dr Achyuta Samanta his pride not only for Bhavani’s glorious odyssey in sports but for rendering untold support to many who have already excelled in sports at all spheres; be it national or at the international avenues.
Credit score does not halt  at that, because Bhavani has become the first ever Indian to qualify for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics in Fencing.
What would be the moment for all of us when a young lady from India emits the sparkles of the saber rattling art against her rivals  before millions of people.
Hailing from Tamil Nadu and a student of KIIT DU, Bhavani reached Bhubaneswar this morning flying straight from Italy. On arriving at Biju Patnaik Airport, Bhubaneswar, a rousing welcome was given to Bhabani along with her mother and coach.
A felicitation ceremony for Bhabani  was organized in the premises of KIIT DU where the ace fencer was felicitated in the presence of distinguished personalities like Dr Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS;  Bashir A. Khan, General Secretary, Indian Fencing Association;  Debendra Sahoo, Secretary, Odisha Fencing Association; Noted Environmentalist Green Man Dr. Abdul Ghani; Sprint queen Dutee Chand; Prof. Hrushikesha Mohanty,VC, KIIT DU and Prof. Sasmita Samanta, Pro VC, KIIT DU  etc .
Hailing from Tamil Nadu, after her enrollment in the KIIT, Bhavani has qualified for Tokyo Olympics.
It is no less a pride for all that she could fly on the wings of her dreams as described by herself, “since childhood, I have been dreaming of participating in the Olympics, To gratify that dream, I had to face a lot of struggles and adversities”, said Bhavani in her address.
In realizing such a success, she gives all the credit to her parents and coaches who have been with her since childhood.
She asserts that Dutee Chand has been her source of inspiration behind qualifying for the Olympics. Not for me only, Dutee has been a role model for thousands of budding athletes and sportspersons in India.
Congratulating Miss Bhavani, Dr Achyuta Samanta said, “Apart from education, KIIT & KISS have given the emphasis on the promotion of sports and sportspersons. In fact, KIIT & KISS premises boast of the largest state-of-the-art sports and games infrastructure across the globe.
More than 5 thousand players have already been groomed from KIIT & KISS. Dr Samanta hoped that Dutee and Bhavani would definitely win medals in the forthcoming Olympics. 
Among others, Bhavani’s mother C A Ramani; KIIT Sports Director Gaganendu Dash,  Registrar Jnyana Ranjan Mohanty, and many senior functionaries were present on the occasion.