MADRAS:

Where the sprint queen is and what’s she doing? For sports lovers in India it is impossible to erase the memory of P.T. Usha who brought in laurels and gold medals for the country. She’s back in Payyoli in Kerala busy adjusting herself to the new situation where not much of limelight would be focused on her.

What a pleasant surprise. She was in the kitchen learning the tricks of the trade from her mother when I rang the calling bell of “Ushes” the house presented to her by the Government of Kerala. Her two pet’s a lovely Pomeranian and a barking Labrador greeted me followed by the erstwhile queen of the track. Over a cup of tea we began our casual conversation which turned out to be an interesting interview session. Excerpts:

“How do you while away your time after such a hectic schedule of at least a decade?”  “I am very relaxed now and ‘enjoy myself in the company of my family member’s friends and neighbors. It is true that lam being watched by others when I go out. But I have got accustomed to such things. I do a bit of gardening and learn cooking from my mother. Not that I am bad at cooking but I am not a specialist in making tasty dishes. I keep myself engaged anyway.”

“Do you have any plans to groom athletes or become a coach?”

“Oh no. I don’t have any great plans let me make it clear. I am not a Kapil Dev or a Gavaskar to set eyes on very great ambitious projects or plans. I would like to do something in a small way but so far I don’t know what it will be. Becoming a coach is out of the question. It is not a job for girls. The job of a coach is much more difficult than that of an athlete. I am not made of that stock.”

“As an ace athlete in the international arena you had many occasions to rejoice and feel jubilant over your success. Can you tell me some instances when you felt let down and dejected?”

“When I participated in the first national at Thiruvananthanpuram in 1979 two other participants ran foul in the 100 meter’s but I was purposely eliminated from the track for no fault of mine. I burst into tears when J was wronged by the referee. The spectators who saw the foul play protested and forced the organizers to go in for a re-run. In the re-run it was  who ran away with laurels. Likewise I wept like a child the day I lost the medal in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. The last time I felt dried up was at Seoul After all I was bidding adieu to the track and it pained me so much to think of a life outside the track.”

“How many awards and medals have you secured in your colorful life as an athlete?”

“Oh that’s pretty difficult to answer off-hand like that I have more than 50 international medals besides hundreds of medals and awards. I consider the Arjuna Award as the most precious award bestowed on me.”

Are you still remembered by your fans?”

“Why not? Look at these letters that have piled up in the corner. I recently got a letter from an admirer from a European country with just my name on the cover and I have the letter here. What more should I aspire for than such international recognition?”

“What about your marriage? Have you any plans about it?”

“Well I believe I should get married. I am nota casteist. But if my husband is from another religion that might create problems. I am not for it I also insist on marrying only a Malayalee. At least as a wife let me lead a peaceful life.

“What are you in the Railways? Would you continue employment even after your marriage?”

“Why not? Who will pay me more than five thousand rupees as an Officer on Special Duty? Unless my husband is that rich and economically secure it is not wise on my part to leave the job”

“Are you planning to make your children athletes?”

“I would like to. But how do I know what plans my husband will have about his kids. After marriage it is not my decision but his will that should prevail. Essentially I am a conventionalist.”

Article extracted from this publication >> March 1, 1991