Can the Story of Judoka Lagan Lakshakar Transform Society's Conservative Views?

Patna, May 8 (NationPress) Lagan Lakshakar from Uttar Pradesh exemplifies the transformation of a conservative society's mindset. At her inaugural appearance in the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 in Bihar, this judo athlete, hailing from the SAI National Centre of Excellence in Bhopal, clinched a bronze medal in the 57 kg category. Her achievements have not only altered societal perceptions but have also motivated numerous individuals from Bundelkhand to pursue their dreams.

Since beginning her training in Bhopal in 2023, Lagan's path has been filled with challenges. She navigated through eight different sports before discovering her passion for judo. In her quest for identity, judo proved to be her steadfast ally, allowing her to establish her worth.

Upon winning the bronze medal at Gyan Bhawan in Patna, 17-year-old Lagan was overcome with emotion. She reflected on the difficult journey her parents faced, who endured harsh comments following the birth of their first child. After a heartfelt conversation with her mother, tears flowed freely as they both shared the emotional weight of the moment.

Lagan revealed that having a girl is often viewed negatively in the Bundelkhand region. "My father is the sole son among his siblings, having four older sisters. When I was born, rather than joy, there was sorrow, with remarks like, ‘Oh, another girl has arrived.’ However, my parents defied this conventional mindset. My mother, hailing from Delhi, has always held progressive beliefs,” she stated.

"My parents, especially my mother, have been my biggest supporters. She aspired for me to achieve something that would put an end to our relatives' taunts about me being a girl. To facilitate my training, my father left his position at a cooperative bank, and we relocated from Orai to Jhansi. I explored numerous sports but only found my true calling in judo, which has given me a new identity and earned respect for my family,” she added.

Prior to choosing judo, Lagan Lakshakar amassed 21 gold medals across various sports. She experimented with Yoga, Gymnastics, Taekwondo, Boxing, and Karate, even securing a gold medal in the National Sub-Junior Championship in Gymnastics. Following her gold medal victory at the Cadet National in Judo this year, societal perceptions have begun to shift.

Lagan expressed that her experience at the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 in Bihar has been enlightening. "Before coming here, I had heard many negative things about Bihar, but I discovered it is nothing like what I imagined. The hospitality has been exceptional,” she remarked. “The Khelo India initiative has significantly raised awareness about sports among athletes and parents across various societal segments,” she concluded.