An Evolution to the Indian Society

Journal of Information and Computational Science ISSN: 1548-7741

WOMEN IN SPORTS: AN EVOLUTION TO THE INDIAN SOCIETY

*Dr. Ankan Sinha, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Physical Education, Govt. Degree College, Dharmanagar, Tripura(N)

Abstract

The purpose of the writing is to awaken the reader about the status of women in India through their achievement and participation in sports. It is mentioned that participation in sports not only focuses on health but also the overall development of personality without any gender discrimination. Despite the multidimensional constrains which the women are facing they come out as a supreme power and led by example to bring glory to the nation. Sports performance of Indian women at International level enhanced rapidly as compare to men. So, Efforts should be made to remove all the ill-conceived ideas, along the society there is a need to awaken the parents. The Government should frame some policies, programs and education to spread the awareness and promote the youth for more sports participation with great result. Keywords: Constrains, Gender bias.

Introduction to women’s Sports in India Sport is a universal in nature. It does not discriminate on colour, caste, creed, sex or race and so on. Participation in sports not only focuses on health but also the overall development. Earlier day’s men used to participate in most of the games, sports and athletics, women faces many constraints such as physical, mental, family, social, cultural, religious and so on. In the last one hundred years women have made tremendous inroads in many facets of life. Women may now hold jobs, own property and participate in professional sports. Although you may not see crowds roaring over their goals or media invests all their prime time slots to cover their games, women in India are doing their every bit to make their presence felt over the male-centric sports world. In India, it is very saddening and unfortunate to see that women are not much encouraged to actively take part in different sports. We can say the scarcity or sponsors or just the lack of right mentality, it is so difficult to pursue your dreams in sports when you are a woman. In spite of such adversities women have been able to break out of the traditional female mold. Women have broken the chains that bond them to the home and have emerged into all sorts of male dominated arenas, including sports. In India slowly but steadily women started relishing most of the perks in the society are treated equal to men in all walks of the life.

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Historical perspectives women and sports in India The available sources enable the scholar to have only a glimpse of the recreations of girls during the "Vedic and epic periods. Music and dancing formed the principal indoor games. Public and dramatic concerts were often organised and girls used to go out to see them along with their elders or lovers. In fashionable circles games with the ball (KanduKrida) seems to have been the chief outdoor physical exercise. Shukuntala and Kunti are, for instance, represented as spending their leisure hours in this game in the MAHABHARAT. Players could so regulate this game as to have just the amount of exercise they wanted The "RAMAYANA" represents girls as going in the evening to gardens for playing and talking with their friends, but this was probably possible in towns and cities. There are some references available to girls going out to swim as well as girls playing number of courtyard games like "hide and seek" and "run and catch". These games were fulfilling the need of exercise and girls were getting exercise for their body-development. These games were very popular among all classes of society since very early times. They were played usually before marriage. The above references are the clear picture of the position of games and sports popular among the women during the Vedic and epic periods. It is true that before the advent of the Muslims in India, our women used to enjoy a good deal of freedom. They were allowed enough opportunities to take part in games and sports both indoor and outdoor. But the life of Indian women during the Muslim period became very much secluded due to the growing practice of purdah, and as such, they got very little opportunity to take part in games and sports. They passed most of their leisure hours in gossiping and sleeping. Method Data were collected from different research articles, journals, magazines, research works published in reputed journals. Besides these sources the data was also collected from internet (Google) and from different discussions and debates. Constraints in women sports Physical Constraints Physical constraints refer to the morphological feature adaptations to particular sports. Basically, it refers to the qualities of the sports person such as the physical fitness parameters. If there is failure in any of these required parameters results in the reduction of sports performance. Religious Constraints Religious constraints avail in those societies who are fundamentalist and have hard religious beliefs they are very concern about their religious beliefs. They are afraid as society may blame and curse them for going beyond the boundaries of their religion. This might be the cause that most of the women are not able to show their talent.

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Physiological Constraints Physiological constraints refer to the organ functions ultimately resulted in the system coordination. If there is any dysfunction of the organs resulted in reduction of sports performance. Economic Constraints Economic constraints are considered most important factor that hinder the women participation in sports. Considering the above said all the constraints either any failure or insufficient economic status or no sponsors resulted in the termination from the sports participation. Secondarily constraints represent the triangular or pyramidal factors. It is in which the non- availability of expert trainers, no sufficient infrastructure and non-availability of sports constraints and gadgets. Social Constraints Social constraints refer to the behavior in the sports society. If there is any undue relationship or misbehaving during in this period especially love affair results in reduction in sports performance or ultimately termination from sports participation. Psychological Constraints Psychological constraints comprise the behavioural process. It is in which the body and mind coordinates produces the desirous behavioural, failure alternately resulted in the reduction of sports performance. Participation and achievements of Indian women in sports There used to be a time when women in India refrained from sports participation. The sports participation of women in India has been subject to many great changes over the past few millennia. For the first time India sent only four women in 1952 Olympics (Helsinki) in athletics. The first Indian woman to ever win an Olympic medal was Karnam Malleswari who won a bronze medal at the Sydney Olympics in the Women's 69 kg category in Weightlifting but was not enough alone to compete with other nations as far as women participation is concerned. But it is much better scenario at this moment that Indian women have now started proving themselves equivalent to other nations in sports. There are many established women sports stars of the nation who are an inspiration to many and have brought laurels to the country. Now look at what Mithali Raj, Saina Nehwal, Mary Kom, Sania Mirza, P.V Sindhu, Sakshi Mallik, Dipa Krmakar and many other female sports stars have achieved and the pride they served the nation with. Mithali Raj (with an average of about 49 and more than 5000 runs on her name) is probably became the batting goddess of cricket. Saina Nehwal (the first Indian to win an Olympic medal in badminton) has given inspiration to many young Indian girls to step out and play for the country. Mary Kom (the kind of life she lived and what she has achieved) is perhaps the biggest idol for every girl in the country who has a passion for sports. Sania Mirza

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(the tennis icon), formerly ranked no. 1 in women’s doubles ranking was ranked by the Women's Tennis Association. In the last Rio Olympics, Indian eves Sakshi Malik, P V Sindhu and Dipa Karmakar brought glory to the nation after their scintillating performances in front of the world when the males failed to show any promise. However the quest for passionate female players in the country is still an ongoing process. Perhaps the lack of facilities and expertise is a cause. No matter what might be the challenges, but India will once emerge as tough competitors. Men in India have achieved a lot, but the Indian lioness will leave no stone unturned to let the Tricolour rule the world. There seems to have been some improvement in the condition of gender bias in sports awards over the past couple of decades. According to the source of data collected from “Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports” Rajeev Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is moving towards parity.

40 Male awardees (in %)

30 Female awardees (in %)

0 1990s 2000s 2010s*

Numbers are as a percentage of awardees in each decade, based on a sample which covers at least 85% of the total in all cases; *latest figure is up to 2016 Discussion The Indian Constitution has conferred equal rights to all women. Indian women can master anything and everything which she can dream off. But still Indian culture looks up to women as a mother of a race, the Indian society is firm with the belief that women are naturally inferior to men because of the faith that a women’s duty is bound only to birthing and taking care her family. The level of physical education and sports for females has been hampered because of the endless limitations. We need sports women to coming years to handle the rules and encourage the upcoming generations. Our society has to work towards a massive cultural reform here we have a healthy work ethic. Appreciate and encourage the women participation in sports without damaging their

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family and relationships and not neglecting children. There is a need to increase access for women and girls to physical education and sports helps build confidence and promotes stronger social integration. Conclusion For well-balanced and sustainable social development, men and women must have equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities: gender equality. Sport can make an important contribution to improving the position of women. Sports performance of Indian women at International level enhanced rapidly as compare to men. Despite of their multidimensional constrains they come out as a supreme power and led by example to bring glory to the nation. However, women are perceived as inferior to men when it comes to personal capabilities and even sports potentialities. Society has enforced these norms by using media. Women have all the potentials to shape their body image into a more sport like appearance. Participation in sports helps women in many diverse aspects and keeps them fit and healthy besides it enhances their cognitive abilities, their endurance which will help them to keep working all day long. Because of the above discussed constraints as barriers the women face present day non communicable diseases such as stress, obesity, hypertension, diabetes; hormone dysfunction leads to in activity, unable to accomplish the day-to-day activities prone to injury such as the osteoporosis condition. Hence, they are the producer, maker and servers to the society, these constraints should be eliminated for the betterment of women health. Suggestions  Campaign for all women sports participation should encouraged in school, colleges and in universities.  Government should conduct the awareness programme for women sports participation and for their encouragement.  Physical Education can help to increase self confidence by gaining women opportunities to play new skills, engage in positive relationships, acquire achievements, and engage in volunteer service and can serve the nation in a better way.  Government should make a policy for promotion of Specific games in specific areas then there will be better chance of Inclination of Female participation at International Level.  Grants and financial Incentives also given to the various Institutions by the Government must be spent on the Promotion of Women sports.  Women should herself be motivated towards their carrier in sports.  Efforts should be made to remove all the ill-conceived ideas along the society there is a need to awaken the parents.

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References

1. Astekar, A.S. ( 2016)."The position of women in Hindu Civilisation, from prehistoric times to the present day. New Delhi. ND: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited 2. Dasgupta, T.C. (1937). Aspects of Bengali Society: Journal of Royal Asiatic Society, 69(04), 707-708. 3. Pal, R. V. (1904). A glimpse of zenana life in Bengal. Retrieved fromhttp://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/49539/10/10_chapter%201.pdf 4. Devi, M (2018). Women’s participation in Sports in India: Kaav International Journal of Economic, Commerce & and Business Management, 5(1), 54-56. 5. Ahmad, H.R. (2015).Women sports in India-Constraints, Challenges, complications, and its remedies: International Journal of Applied Research, 1(13), 656-659.

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