Jyoti Kumari: I wish to complete my matriculation first

The 15-year-old girl has been inducted in class nine in a new school.

Jyoti Kumari has sidelined the opportunity from the Cycling Federation of India to appear for a trial for the time being. The girl from Darbhanga in Bihar had cycled for over 1200 kilometres with her ailing father from Gurugram to her native place.

“I wish to complete my studies first. I also feel physically weak now after such a long arduous journey,” Jyoti Kumari explained whilst speaking to the Hindu.

Her remarkable feat has caught the attention of the national media in the last week or so. The Chairman of the Cycling Federation of India, Onkar Singh, had put forth the association’s desire to invite the girl for a test of sorts to properly assess her caliber as a cyclist. “She (Jyoti Kumari) must have something in her. I think cycling down more than 1200km is not a mean job. She must be having the strength and physical endurance. We want to test it,” Singh had said to PTI.

However, Jyoti Kumari has preferred to pay further attention to her academic interests now. She stated, “Earlier, I could not continue my school education because of my family problems and I was occupied with domestic work… but now I wish to complete my matriculation first.”

However, her father Mohun Paswan has reaffirmed that his daughter would be accepting the offer for a trail at the appropriate time. He spoke to PTI and mentioned, “We will surely send her for the trials after the lockdown is lifted. She was enrolled in class nine yesterday. At the moment, we want her to complete her matriculation.”

Jyoti Kumari has attracted assistance from several quarters as well, something that could possibly benefit the girl in the future. She secured admission in class nine at the Pindaruch High School, which was made possible due to the helping hand offered by the District Magistrate of Darbhanga.

Chirag Paswan is the President of the LJP (Lok Janshakti Party), an MP and an influential personality in Bihar’s political circles. He asserted, “I will sponsor her education in any stream which she thinks is best for her.”Moreover, she has been given a new bicycle, school uniform and shoes that would aid her in her further education.

Her valor was acknowledged by the Ivanka Trump too, who is the daughter and senior advisor of the President of the United States, Donald Trump. Ivanka had tweeted,  “15 yr old Jyoti Kumari, carried her wounded father to their home village on the back of her bicycle covering +1,200 km over 7 days. This beautiful feat of endurance & love has captured the imagination of the Indian people and the cycling federation!”

Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijiju, had taken notice of Jyoti Kumari’s endeavour and assured, “Will ask the SAI officials and Cycling Federations of India to report to me after conducting the trials of Jyoti Kumari. If found potential, she will be selected as a trainee at the National Cycling Academy in the IGI Stadium complex in New Delhi.”