This win at the Asian Championship will make my Diwali extra special: Heena Sidhu

After clinching the gold in women’s 10m air pistol event at 13th Asian championship on Friday in Kuwait, Shooting ace Heena Sidhu spoke about festivities, food and fuss over award wapsi.
Q: Your crucial gold in Asian championship has come just before Diwali. So how does it feel to give such a fabulous gift to yourself?
I am thrilled this achievement has come close to Diwali so there will be extra jubilation in the family.It is an important medal because I have performed consistently well this year, but missed out on medals by very close margins. Asian Championship was a strong field of Olympic and world champions, so it was good to beat them so close to the Rio Olympics.
Q: And what are your Diwali plans and shopping itinerary?
I will return home today, just in time for Diwali. It will be fun because I will get a break and spend more time with my family. I love decorating my home and what better time than Diwali to indulge myself. As for shopping, I love jewellery and diamonds but I bought some recently, so I will consider that as my Diwali shopping for now. This Diwali will be all about fun, fiesta and family bonding.
Q: As a qualified dentist who chose to be a shooter, did you ever have regrets?
I got admission in dentistry on merit and also got the degree with distinction. In spite of so much effort, I could never practice dentistry. But, the habit of working hard helped me in shooting, so I don’t regret it. Now I am studying interior decoration from a foreign university through correspondence and I’m enjoying that. I love decorating homes and is a great stress-buster. The only regret I have from shooting is that due to constant travelling and training; your social life gets affected and after a while you realise you didn’t make many friends. But having said this, I feel may be that’s the price we have to pay to achieve something.
Q: As a shooter who has won many awards, have you felt the need to return any of your awards, seeing the award wapsi phenomenon around you?
No, I don’t think that’s the right thing to do. And the day I decide to return the award, I would also return the cash component with interest. Yes, I don’t agree with some of the happenings in our country, but returning awards is a disrespect for the award more than a way of demonstrating your protest. I think as a solution, a group of like-minded achievers can come together and meet the right people and have a dialogue.
Q: You have achieved a lot at such a young age. Any plans you and your husband Ronak have to have a family now?
(Laughs) I think we are very young and have a lot to achieve before we become parents. Both of us realise this huge responsibility of becoming a parent, so we would rather wait.
Q: As a young role model, do you think enough is being done to make shooting more lucrative and less expensive sport for many more Indian girls from middle class homes?
Shooting is becoming very popular in India. Ronak has an academy and I see many young girls learning the sport every day, and the talent that we see is unbelievable. Both of us are doing our bit to help popularise the sport in India. These days, the shooting equipment is not as expensive as it seems. It is a one-time investment till you reach the world levels. And by then you would have a sponsor to support you, if you are really good.