I would urge youngsters to pick up a sport while pursuing your studies as it will keep you fit and you could make your country proud in the field of sports.

The Odisha government is supporting the sports circuit very well. Athletes are getting jobs in the government sector and they are providing facilities for all athletes to perform as well.

When I was a kid, I dreamt of being a runner. My mother and father always told me to go after what I wanted. I went after running.

I come from a poor background, I've seen struggle. Money will come and go, but I will continue to be grounded.

I have watched a documentary on Caster Semenya. I am inspired by how she made a comeback.

For somebody like me, who has trained barefoot in a small village in Odisha, I know training without proper facilities can be extremely difficult. Having experienced it all, I would like to give back to my community by creating a running academy for children.

I am a normal girl.

When my elder sister decided to pursue sports, she faced a lot of music at home. We didn't have a TV in our village, so no one understood the value of sports. But my sister convinced my parents that participating in sports would mean a secure job in the government.

It is not written anywhere that one cannot join politics while playing. There were instances of several successful sportsperson who have excelled in politics, sports and business at the same time.

There are some athletes who don't like me.