By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: To support his daughter’s dreams, a father in Patna sold his house, shop, and even his land. Seeing limited career opportunities for his daughter in Patna, he moved his family to Bangalore for her training. Despite facing criticism from those around him, he remained steadfast in his belief in her talent. Today, his sacrifice has been rewarded, as his daughter has made Bihar and the entire country proud with her achievements. This is the story of Mahi Shweta Raj, an international-level swimmer from Bihar. Mahi is the first person from Bihar to win a gold medal in a national swimming tournament. She recently participated in the 17th National Swimming Championship held in Mangaluru, where she secured three gold medals across different events, becoming the first swimmer from Bihar to achieve this feat in a single national competition.
Mahi’s father, Satish Jyoti, recalls that in 2009, he suffered a leg injury. Following his recovery, a physiotherapist recommended swimming as a form of therapy. He registered for swimming lessons at the Patliputra Ashok Hotel’s pool, where the fee for an individual was ₹15,000 per year and ₹16,000 for a family. The entire family took up swimming, and Mahi began at the age of nine. Her talent was quickly recognised, with locals affectionately referring to her as a “mermaid.”
Mahi’s mother, Shweta Jyoti, shared that when Mahi was excelling in Bihar, they decided to take her to national competitions. Unfortunately, she finished last, and many people mocked Bihar’s swimming facilities. Determined to improve her skills, they moved to Bangalore for better training opportunities, despite the significant financial burden. They sold their house in Raja Bazaar, Patna, their shoe shop, and their four-kattha property in Danapur.
Now, after Mahi’s numerous victories, her parents feel that their sacrifices have been more than worth it. The pride they feel when people congratulate them for their daughter’s success is immeasurable.
Shweta Jyoti explained that Mahi won her first national-level medal in the junior swimming tournament in 2017, and since then, she has collected over two dozen medals. The stress of Mahi’s tournaments often took a toll on Shweta’s health, causing her to suffer two brain strokes, leaving her bedridden for seven months. She has only recently begun to resume household tasks.
Mahi herself shared that last year, she won three bronze medals in Thailand and two bronze medals in Dubai. However, she sustained a spinal injury shortly after and was bedridden for two months in March and April, causing her to miss two international competitions. Fortunately, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) provided significant support, including rehabilitation and mental health counselling, which helped her recover both physically and mentally.
Mahi also highlighted the progress made in sports in Bihar over the past three years, especially in swimming. The construction of a 50-metre swimming track in Rajgir has greatly improved the facilities for swimmers in the state. Raveendran Sankaran, Director General of the Bihar State Sports Authority (BSSA), has been instrumental in supporting Mahi, providing her with swimming kits and other essential resources. During her injury, he often called to offer encouragement.
Currently, Mahi is pursuing a degree in Physical Education from Chandigarh University on a full scholarship. She trains rigorously, swimming for five hours and spending an additional hour and a half in the gym every day. Despite facing personal challenges, such as her mother’s illness and her own injuries, Mahi channels her frustration into her performance in competitions.
An animal lover, a trait she inherited from her parents, Mahi has a dog and a cat at home. Recently, the Bihar government offered her a position as a sub-inspector under the “Medal Lao Naukri Pao” scheme. Mahi’s elder brother, Anmol, is also a national-level swimmer and has been offered a job in the Bihar secretariat.
