Village
Girl's Football Rise
From
Messi's Dreams to Paan Profits:
Rashmita Patra's Heartbreak
Rashmita
Patra, born around 1991 in Demala village (Aul block, Kendrapara district,
Odisha), grew up in a daily wage laborer's family. At age 12, she discovered
football under coach Chitta Ranjan Patra (also Pramod Patra), sacrificing
childhood and education for the sport. Her breakthrough came with Odisha's U-19
national win in Cuttack (2010) and senior nationals victory at Bhilai
(2010-2012), earning her a spot in national camps.
Key Early Achievements:
- Odisha U-19 Nationals gold (Cuttack, 2010)
- Senior Nationals gold (Bhilai, 2010)
- Multiple state/district titles as defender
International Defender Glory
Rashmita
donned India colors as a rock-solid left-back defender. Highlights include:
- U-16 AFC Women's Qualifiers (Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia, 2008): Key role in national youth team.
- Senior AFC Qualifying Round (Dhaka, 2011).
- Bahrain Invitational Series Win (2011): India
triumphed 2-1; teammate Alochana Senapati (now Odisha Police) called her
"great wall" and "asset."
She idolized
Lionel Messi, dreaming of World Cup glory, but women's football lacked
support—no stipends, poor camps.
Sudden Fall & Systemic Neglect
Post-2011
form dip led to AIFF/Odisha exclusion. Illiterate (dropped school for
football), job pleas rejected—Kendrapara Collector cited education barrier
(2014). Married fisherman Pandav Mallick (2013); opened dingy paan shop in Aul
market (early 2014) to support baby and irregular family income. Mud-walled
shanty home symbolizes plight: "Football gave fame, not living," she
lamented.
Neglect
Breakdown:
|
Organization |
Promised
Aid |
Delivered |
|
AIFF |
Camps/rehab |
Dropped
2011, silent |
|
Odisha
Sports Dept |
Jobs
post-retirement |
Zero
despite nationals golds |
|
Kendrapara
Collector |
Employment
(2014) |
Rejected
for illiteracy |
No Khelo
India inclusion; coaches like Chitta Ranjan shocked at her fall.
2026 Reality: Paan Profits Persist
Now ~35,
Rashmita runs betel shop (₹200-300/day profit), watching Messi on a small TV,
heartbroken. Husband's fishing unpredictable; family in mud hut. 2025 virals
(YouTube/FB) reignited story (1M+ views), but Odisha Dept of Sports & Youth
Services/ODMHA unresponsive—no pension, job, or rehab. Alochana Senapati
advocates: "Shocking for such talent."
Daily
Struggle Snapshot:
- Income: Paan sales cover basics; no savings.
- Regrets: "Sacrificed childhood—now
poverty."
- Hopes: Messi-inspired dreams faded; seeks any aid.
Conclusion:
Defenders Forgotten on Home Turf
Rashmita
stonewalled attacks for India, stonewalled by poverty and bureaucracy. AIFF's
₹100cr+ budget (2026) funds elites; Odisha prioritizes coaches over
ex-champs. NewsWebFit Demand: Odisha Police job (sports quota), ₹5L
lifetime pension, women's football rehab fund. 5-Part Series Finale: DM
more forgotten stories!
Sources &
Research References
- New Indian Express (Jul 7, 2014): International
footballer to paan vendor
- Times of India (Jul 6, 2014): Defender runs paan
shop
- Telegraph India (Jun 25, 2018): Misery defeats
defender
- Hindustan Times (Jul 7, 2014): Poverty ends career
- YouTube Shorts (2025): Star to paan seller virals
- FB/Instagram (2024-26): Current paan shop footage
- Orisports Profile: National achievements