To mark India’s 75th Year of Independence, Her Circle set out to explore what the nation’s future looks like and found that it is not only female, but also led by teenage heroes like 18-year-old Ridhi Phor. She started out with a bamboo bow and arrow bought from a fair, a target painted by herself at home, and a small, practice setup created by her father, Manoj Phor, on her terrace—all this when she was just eight years old in 2012! From that small beginning in her hometown in Karnal, Haryana, Ridhi has now become the top senior-level archer who represents the nation on the international stage and brings medals as well as extreme pride back home. Backing her all the way, is the Reliance Foundation.
The Reliance Foundation extended its support to Ridhi in 2019, providing her with better access to sporting equipment (archery is an expensive sport which requires high quality bows, arrows and other necessities) and medical support which also includes the assistance of a physiotherapist and a psychologist. Individual sports like archery and shooting can also put a monetary strain on players, because the entry charges for major global competitions often cost a pretty penny. In Ridhi’s case, the Reliance Foundation was also able to offer support by covering these costs, giving this ace archer the opportunity to shine nationally and internationally.
During her conversation with Her Circle, Ridhi revealed that it is this kind of support that plays a key role in the making of champions like her. “If you want players to get medals for the nation, then you have to support them from the very beginning,” she says, while adding that support for girls in sports is still lacking in many parts of the nation. She also brings spotlight to the fact that archery, as a sport, isn’t that popular in India, despite the fact that our own history and culture boasts of mythical archers like Arjuna and Eklavya—although, none of these ancient heroes were women, except perhaps Chitrangada, the warrior princess of Manipur.
“I want the sport of archery to be synonymous with my name in India,” says our modern-day Chitrangada, who may be young, but carries herself with the poise and confidence of a mature athlete with her eye fixed on the target: “I want to win India’s first gold in archery at the Olympics.” To know more about this extraordinary athlete, who currently holds the World Archery Ranking of 44, watch Her Circle’s interview above.
Special Thanks To @reliancefoundation
COO & Editor-In-Chief: Tanya Chaitanya
Content Creator: Shreya Goswami
Content Coordination: Iona Chatterjee
Videographer: Harish Iyer
Video Editor: Sameer More
Stylist: Sonali Valecha
Hair & Makeup: Jean-Claude Biguine Salon & Spa @jeanclaudebiguineindia
Clothes & Accessories:
Outfit @cosset.clothing
Necklace & White Enamelled Ring @studioloveletter