In a village where she was once called "mad" and "monkey," Dipti’s story is one of remarkable resilience and triumph. As a child, villagers urged her parents to send her to an orphanage, claiming she was an omen.
Dipti spoke very little, forced into solitude, and often cried alone. Her mother, Dhanalakshmi, would comfort her with her favorite sweet rice and chicken, but the hurtful words—crazy, mad, monkey, animal—continued to haunt her.
Dipti was different due to a congenital brain condition that affected her speech, social interactions, and physical appearance. Despite these challenges, her heart remained pure. She longed for companionship but was met with mockery and rejection, making her retreat further into silence. However, her unique talent for running was discovered in 2010 by Biyani Venkateshwaralu, a PT coach at the Rural Development Foundation (RDF). Dipti could effortlessly outpace her peers, but the weight of constant insults had silenced her.
Biyani saw her potential and began training her. Despite winning the 100-meter state-level race, she was disqualified for lane jumping, but Biyani persisted. He continued to nurture her talent alongside other children.
In 2019, Dipti’s talent caught the eye of N. Ramesh, a coach from the Sports Authority of India, during a state meet in Khammam. He visited her home and convinced her parents to send her to the SAI center in Hyderabad for training. The journey was tough; the family could barely afford the bus fare to Hyderabad. Teaching her the intricacies of competitive running and maintaining focus was challenging, but her coaches and peers supported her tirelessly.
Her potential was further recognized by Pullela Gopichand, India's badminton coach, who watched her practice and was impressed by her dedication. Dipti never complained of fatigue, hunger, or pain; she just ran. This dedication led the Gopichand Mytrah Foundation to sponsor her.
Dipti’s journey from being ridiculed to soaring high is a testament to her determination and the support of those who believed in her. She left behind all the derogatory labels as she flew with her dreams, taking her family and coaches along in her success. Dipti's story is one of hope and inspiration, proving that with determination, one can overcome any obstacle.
Her coach continues to remind her, "Dipti, one more lap, faster, more..."
Dipti keeps running, lighting up the track with the golden glow of her dreams.