Age is just a number and if there is a desire in the heart to fulfill a dream, then one can return to it even after years. 67-year-old Suman Bansal of Chandigarh has proven this with her passion. Suman, who was once associated with shooting through NCC during her school days, had left this hobby behind for decades due to family responsibilities. But at the age of 65, she again turned to the shooting range and now at the age of 67, she has made headlines by winning four medals in the 51st Chandigarh State Shooting Championship.
Suman Bansal has won two gold, one silver and one bronze medals in the championship. This achievement of hers is also special because she had only stepped into competitive shooting about two years ago.
Suman’s passion for shooting was awakened in the NCC camp. Suman’s relationship with shooting is not two years ago, but since her school days. During the NCC camp, she got the opportunity to shoot for the first time. From here, the dream of becoming a shooter was awakened in her mind.
She remained associated with the NCC till college and continued shooting, but in the second year of B.A. she got married. After this, the direction of life changed.
Her husband Dr. Surinder Bansal, who is a retired director of Punjab Health Systems Corporation, was transferred. Suman spent most of her time in family responsibilities and raising three children, due to which the dream of shooting was left behind.
Resumed shooting at the age of 65 When the children grew up and household responsibilities also became less than before, Suman once again thought about her old dream.
About two years ago, she shared her desire to resume shooting with her husband. Her husband not only encouraged her, but also got information about the shooting range himself and helped in the admission process. After this, Suman started training at the shooting range located in Sector-25, Chandigarh.
After this, the results of her hard work also started coming soon. In the very first year in shooting competitions, she won gold medals in the 10 meter competition at the state and north zone level and qualified for the national level competition.
She secured fourth place in the national championship held in December. After this, she also won a silver medal in the 10 meter pistol senior master women’s category at the Kumar Surinder Singh Memorial Shooting Championship.
Now learning music along with shooting Not only shooting returned to Suman Bansal’s life after the age of 65, but she is also currently doing a one-year diploma in ‘Instrumental Music’ from Panjab University, Chandigarh.
At an age when people usually think of slowly retiring from their work, Suman is learning new things, practicing shooting and participating in competitions.
Her new innings is also a source of surprise and joy for family and friends. According to family friend Neerja Gupta, Suman dedicated a long time of her life to her family and now she is taking out time for herself.
For Suman Bansal, who came to be known as ‘Shooter Dadi’, these four medals are not just a sporting achievement, but a return to the dream that she had during her school days but had to leave behind for almost five decades due to family responsibilities.
At the age of 65, she had set her sights again, at the age of 67, she is standing on the podium and now her aim is not just to win medals but also to prove that there is no age to fulfill your dreams.
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