Indian women’s national football team forward Anju Tamang is happy even if she hasn’t been able to go to the field to play football for the last several months.
Anju Tamang, however, is enjoying in a different field. She is rejoicing the bountiful harvest with her family on the foothills of the Himalayas, just south of the famous tourist town of Darjeeling.
“I used to do this a lot when I was a kid. But that is not so much the case nowadays as I often have to go to different places for tournaments or matches. But this year, I have got the opportunity to come back home during this season, and I’m more than happy to help out in the field,” Anju was quoted as saying by aiff.com.
During the days, the Tamangs are seen sweating it out on their paddy fields, wielding the sickle with much expertise. Anju, who has taken a slightly different path (playing football) than the rest of her family, however, comes back home during the festive season whenever she can, to lend a helping hand.
“When it comes to reaping the harvest, it’s the women who do it. So it’s generally my mother and Bhabhi(sister-in-law) who wield the sickle during the harvesting season. I join them in this activity whenever I am home during this season,” she said.
Coming from a farming family has helped the young striker with her football career, especially with regards to staying humble, despite achieving tall goals.
“Hard work! That is as important in the life of a footballer, as it is in the life of a farmer. It’s just that a farmer does not get as much fame as the former,” stated Anju. “The farming life has taught me to set goals, but still remain humble even after you achieve them. My roots are here, and these are values that I will never forget.”
