I was naughty but never demanding. I never asked my parents for shoes or tracksuits. I was happy with what I had.
Hima Das
We are human beings, at the end of the day. Success and failure are a part and parcel of our life.
It is a great feeling that I am the first Indian to win a gold medal in track event in world juniors.
I am a low-key girl from a middle-class family of a small village.
What I think is about running faster and faster, and I believe that will translate into medals.
If you want to achieve something great, you have to work hard for it. It is as simple as that.
Forget the past, and ask me what's next.
Nothing concerns me other than my time. That is my only concern. I don't pay any attention to the rest. I run after time. If that improves, the gold, silver, etc. will follow.
I used to run barefoot in my village some time back. Now, I have a branded shoe with my name on it.
I believe in time and in God. Nothing else bothers me.
I don't show tension and nervousness, but I know how fast my heartbeat races before a race.
I don't think about medals. I just think of bettering my own time.
I don't worry about timings or what somebody else is doing in another lane.
If you ask me, everything... every event that takes place changes your life.
I love Messi. I also derive inspiration from the god of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar.
A player needs recovery time, and it isn't possible to recover from one race in an hour.
I want for every child - regardless of their background, gender, caste, etc. - to be able to access schools that are safe and supportive so that they can learn and thrive.
When I was in Class II, we used to walk about 5 km. to school. I did not know of Olympics or even athletics then. One day, a friend went in a car and left me behind. I was so angry, I wanted to run and outrace the car. I ran so fast that I tripped and fractured my knee.
Let's just say my mind is different.
I want to run as fast as I can.
I have the love and blessings of Indians and my family and I have faith in my own hard work and training. That is all I need.
I didn't expect I will get the Arjuna at 18 years. I thought 19.
Whatever you do, do it from your heart. It won't happen just by sitting at home.
I hope I will get a chance to compete in the Olympics.
I am not a star.
My biggest support and backbone have been my friends.
I used to wake up at 5 A.M., and my routine involved six hours of training, both in the morning and evening.
I don't think I even understand the full meaning of athletics.
I used to play everything, but people in my village said football is in my blood because my father has been a footballer.
I only think of my practice and running as fast as I can.
I thrive in competition. It feels good to improve timings and create records.
Good athletes will be there at good competitions, but I don't think about them; I just think of bettering my own time.
The ultimate dream of an athlete is to compete in the Olympics. For us athletes, that is the zenith. There is nothing beyond that.
My paternal uncle and aunt have jobs, and they are the ones who feed the family with a regular income.
That's probably the only thing I am afraid of: time.
Even Sachin used to get ducks during his career. There are ups and downs in every athlete's career.
I am hurt that some people criticise very harshly without even realising the hardships which we go through.
I am living a dream.
Everyone needs to support AFI. Since they are doing an excellent job, we need to reach greater heights.
When there's training, I will focus only on training.
Bringing a medal for the country is the biggest achievement, and that is why I am very happy.
I live in a joint family with 17 members under one roof. My father is an MA, but he didn't get a job, because all his certificates got destroyed when our house caught fire. So my father took up farming - fish farming and vegetable farming.
I am not sure how fast I can run.
My attitude is different. And no one understands me the way my friends do.
Our village is very small, so I wasn't surprised when I heard some negative comments from my neighbours on my interest in sports. But nothing mattered, as I always knew what I was doing and why I was doing it.
We usually have a fixed routine for our trainings. It is important that we are disciplined throughout because, being athletes, those little things impact our performances on the field.
I want to thank my parents and my coaches, who brought me out of Guwahati.
I wanted to play football and wear the Indian jersey, but there was no women's football team.
I don't think about being a star or anything, or even changes in life; it is not something that bothers me.
The sport is my first priority because it has given me everything.
