Orphan and helpless Hembati’s courage soars

Hembati, who became completely orphan and helpless after the death of her parents, achieved a position with her courage which can only be imagined. Hembati Nag, who has been living in Balika Griha Kondagaon run by Chhattisgarh State Child Welfare Council for the last five years, not only received training in Judo with full dedication during this time, but also proved her talent by winning medals in many regional and national competitions. For this proud achievement of Hembati Nag, President Smt. Draupadi Murmu honored her with the Prime Minister National Child Award 2024 on 26 December 2024. This program was organized at Rashtrapati Bhavan New Delhi.

 There is a wave of happiness in the forest villages of Chhattisgarh, especially in Kondagaon district, on this great achievement of Hembati Nag. In the recently held Bastar Olympics, more than 1.5 lakh youth from the seven districts of Bastar division participated in various competitions and displayed their sports talent. Hembati Nag has emerged as a role model for the youth of Bastar region. 

It is noteworthy that Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai while congratulating and wishing Hembati Nag for this proud achievement said that this is a matter of pride for all the people of Chhattisgarh. Hembati did not lose her courage even in difficult circumstances, with her tireless hard work and tough struggle she has made Chhattisgarh proud by winning gold, silver and bronze medals in Khelo India National Games and other national level competitions. The Chhattisgarh government is committed to encourage such talented children and make their dreams come true. Certainly, this achievement of Hembati is inspirational for other daughters of the state. 

This sher (couplet) describes the situation and success of Hembati Nag – ‘The storm was circling my determination, the world thought that the boat was in a whirlpool…’ After losing her parents in childhood, Hembati became orphan and helpless. At that time, Hembati was not physically and mentally well. She had no place to go. In such a situation, the District Administration of Kondagaon, District Child Protection Unit and Women and Child Development admitted her to the Balika Grih of Kondagaon for care and protection on 17 August 2020. At that time, Hembati was only 11 years old and weighed 22 kg. Arrangements were made for her continuous counseling and health education in the Balika Grih. During this time, with the help of ITBP 41st Battalion, she started getting training in Judo. With full courage and determination, Hembati gradually became adept in this game and success started kissing her feet. Hembati is currently studying in class 10th at Swami Atmanand Hindi Medium Excellence School in Kondagaon. Her dedication towards Judo has brought her into the category of an excellent player.

Hembati has won the gold medal at the national level in the 28 kg category of sub-junior in the Open Judo Championship in Chandigarh, Punjab in November 2021. In the year 2022, she won bronze medal in the regional competition of Khelo India and gold medal in the state level sports competition, fifth place in the National Khelo India Tournament held in Bhopal in the year 2023 and bronze medal in the National School Sports Competition, bronze medal winner in the Regional Khelo India Competition and National School Judo Competition held in Nashik in the year 2024. Currently living in Balika Grih Kondagaon, Hembati Nag is getting training in Judo along with further studies.