From Rocky Hills to Golden Tracks: Seema a runner from Chamba who conquered the world
It is said that if one’s will is as strong as steel, even the rocks of scarcity will make way. This isn’t just a saying for Seema; it’s the story of her life. A daughter of Chamba’s rugged landscape in Himachal Pradesh, Seema has proven, with heart-wrenching clarity, that true talent is born not from what you have, but from what you dare to dream.
Recently, at a prestigious international athletics meet in Kolkata, this young woman from Reta village did more than just win a race. She ran with a spirit forged in hardship, clinching the gold medal and, in a breathtaking moment, shattering the national record for the 25-kilometer race with a time of 1:26:04. The stadium roared for the champion, but her journey to that podium began on a very different path—the rocky, unforgiving trails of her childhood.
A Race Forged in Resilience
Seema’s story is one of profound loss and unyielding responsibility. At just 12 years old, she lost her father. Overnight, the weight of her family’s well-being and her own future settled on her young shoulders. Her first “training ground” wasn’t a synthetic track but the hills where she grazed the family’s cattle. With no running shoes, she ran barefoot. With no stopwatch, she raced against the setting sun. Her determination was her only gear.
“It was on those stony paths, feeling the earth beneath my feet, that I learned my pace,” Seema reflects, her voice carrying the quiet strength of the mountains. “The hills taught me endurance long before any coach could.”
The Wind Beneath Her Wings
Through every struggle, one person stood as her anchor: her mother. Against a tide of financial hardship and societal doubt, her mother shielded Seema’s dream. She became her daughter’s first believer, her unwavering source of strength. “My mother is my rock. She taught me that our circumstances don’t define us; our courage does,” Seema shares.
This victory in Kolkata isn’t Seema’s first moment in the sun. She had already hinted at her extraordinary potential by winning Medal at the 2025 World University Games. But this gold, this record, feels different. It’s a culmination.
A Victory for Every Dreamer
On the track in Kolkata, Seema—affectionately called ‘Udanpari’ (the flying fairy) by her supporters—was a picture of focused grace. She paced herself with the wisdom of someone who knows the long road, conserving energy before unleashing a powerful final sprint that left her competitors behind. But she is quick to share the credit.
“This record belongs to my family, my coach, and to Anish Chandel, my pacer from Bilaspur,” Seema says with genuine gratitude. “He was my guiding rhythm on the track. In that race, I wasn’t running alone.”
Seema’s golden finish is more than a sporting achievement. It is a powerful message written across the finish line for every young person who has ever felt their dreams are too big for their circumstances. From the barefoot runs on Chamba’s pahadi trails to the glory of a national record, her journey screams a truth we all need to hear: no obstacle is a match for a heart that refuses to quit.
CM Sukhu congratulates Seema on winning gold medal
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has congratulated Seema, a resident of Reta village in Chamba district for winning the gold medal at the world-class athletics competition held in Kolkata. Seema also set a new National record in the 25,000-meter race.
The Chief Minister stated that athlete Seema has brought laurels to the State at the national level. He further added that her remarkable achievement serves as a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes across the country.
