Panaji
Confederation of Indian Industry-Goa felicitated World Cup runner-up India all-rounder Shikha Pandey on Thursday evening at its headquarters in Panaji. She was offered an honorary membership of Young Indians (YI), which is an integral part of the CII.
While speaking on the occasion, Shikha from Pilerne, dedicated her achievement to her parents Subas and Susheela - both of whom were present at the function - as the 28-year-old cricketer highlighted the freedom she got from her parents, in pursuit of her dream.
"It's a matter of great privilege to be called here (CII). The kind of response we are getting after the World Cup is overwhelming. I thank you (all) for all the support I have been getting," said Shikha at the beginning of her address.
"We are native of UP, (but) moved to Goa when I was eight. We have been in Goa for 20 years now. I am a proud ‘Goenkar' and there is no doubt about it. To represent Goa, at the international circuit, is a matter of huge pride," emphasised Shikha, who started playing cricket when she was five years old growing under the guidance of an avid cricket fan in her father. "Even during my Board exams, I was getting up early in the morning to watch Ashes series (being played in Australia). That is the interest that I had in cricket and my father never stopped me. I credit my success to my parents as they backed my dream to wear the India cap," revealed Shikha.
"After completing my engineering, I had placements in three companies. But I decided to take a year off and I told my father about my decision. I actually expected him to tell me to rethink. However, he said go ahead, saying ‘if you want to pursue your dream, you must do it, if it's not now, when will you do'. I did well in that period as I got into India probables. It's said that if you are destined to achieve something, you will achieve it at a certain time and that time happened only when I joined the Indian Air Force in 2012. After that everything just fell in its place," says Shikha who debuted for India at the 2014 World Cup.
The only Indian woman cricketer till date to have a fifty and three-wicket haul in the same match, Shikha still cannot overcome or forget what happened in the finals against England as India lost by nine runs, but put up a philosophical front. "We must learn from what happened and take pride in being the runners-up. I have now lived my two dreams, first wearing the India Blue cap and second is to have played at the Lord's."
Summing up her incredible journey, Shikha said: "I would say that dreams do not turn to dust if you have it in you to pursue your dreams, they will come true. Probably it will take a little time, but the wait is worth it."
