‘Apeejay Svran Global School made me a National-level shooter’

Tvishi Vasudeva, a student of class 12 at Apeejay Svran Global School, Faridabad enrolled in the school in 2011. Prior to her admission at Apeejay, she lived in Nairobi, Kenya along with her family. As she spent her initial schooling years in Kenya she says, “Back to India, many schools didn’t take me because my Hindi wasn’t up to the mark. However, Apeejay teachers did not see that as my shortcoming.”

While it has been a decade since Tvishi’s association with the school, she is a national-level pistol shooter today. In an interview, she talks about how her teachers allowed her to practice shooting and learn concepts at her own pace. Read on:

How and when did you begin at pistol shooting?

I have always found myself interested in the sport. When I was 11-years-old, I wanted to start training for it. However, a person can only start by the age of 12, so I waited for a year to learn it. So, in 2019, I joined the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range in Tughlakabad, Delhi. After six months, I played my first national-level match in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala and ranked 125 among women players across India. Till date, I have played 3 national tournaments and my practice came to a halt during the Covid-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, I will start shooting again.

Do you think the sport has become more popular in India now?

Yes, I do, especially since Manu Bhaker’s win at the 2018 ISSF World Cup. I have observed that shooting remains a male-dominated sport but it is only a matter of time till we come at a 50-50 ratio in terms of gender diversity. In India, people who come from rural areas are very active in sports. They often bank on the sports quota to become a part of the top universities and colleges. Many of my competitors come from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. These are some states that produce the most shooters. Increasingly, women sports players from Haryana are coming to light and this is a positive change.

How can a player excel in this sport?

The most important thing for shooting is to have a focused and stable mind. Through this sport, I have learnt to be patient. It takes hard work and mental strength too. Also, shooting is an inclusive sport. Several persons with physical disabilities are excellent shooters and I feel it is brilliant! I feel inspired watching them play.

What dietary precautions and exercise routine does a player follow?

Balance exercises are a must. To strengthen our arms, we train rigorously. This is because when one lifts a gun to practice, one would have to do it a hundred times. If the shoulders are not strong, one tends to experience muscle pains. As far as diet is concerned, I consume a lot of protein. My staples are bananas, chanas, fruits and roti etc. Everything that has high protein value is a good diet to follow.

How is your back-to-school experience at Apeejay?

I am very happy to be back on the school campus. Since I am pursuing the Non-Medical stream, it became very difficult for me to cope with the online classes. There are so many queries and doubts to be resolved and so, I prefer the face-to-face interactions to clear my concepts. I also like the routine of being in school daily because it makes me more active.

What would you miss about the school once you graduate?

Definitely my teachers and friends! We have lovely teachers at Apeejay Svran Global School and they would be missed dearly. The school management never pressured me academically and allowed me to learn after my practice sessions.

Your career aspiration?

I want to be a pilot and pursue my education in Canada.