P.T. Usha's splendid run in the 1986 Seoul Asian Games was one-off show. India were desperately looking for someone to rejuvenate themselves in the international field of athletics, especially in the Asian Games, where they were once the dominant force. And from behind the pall of darkness emerged one Jyotirmoyee Sikder, a low profile lady who was considered a mere medal contender before the track events got underway.

Joytirmoyee's stunning run in the 1500 meters brought India's first athletics gold since 1986. And she followed it up with a marvelous race in the 800 meters. In a land of 100 millions she is only the fifth India female athlete to win a gold medal in the history of Asian Games. Her golden double was the second by an Indian since Usha's dream show in 1986.

Jyotirmoyee Sikder's hour of reckoning came in 1998. She, however, made her international debut in 1993 at the SAF Games in Dhaka. There she won a silver in 1500 meters. Her consistent performance in the domestic circuit saw her in the Indian contingent for the 1994 Hirosima Asian Games. She competed in both 800 and 1500 meters and finished fourth in both the events. As the first Bengalee athlete Jyotirmoyee represented India in the world championship at Guttenburg in 1995. She ran in the 800 meters without getting any success.

At the Asian Track and Field meet in Jakarta she got the first taste of international recognition in 1995. With a gold in her favorite 800 meters and silver in 4X400 meters relay Jyotirmoyee silenced her detractors, ones who expressed doubts on her ability to succeed in the international arena. Then came the Atlanta Olympic in 1996. Sadly Jyotirmoyee's name was not enlisted in her strong forte, the 800 meters by the Indian officials in charge at the Atlanta Olympic. Instead she only ran the 4X400 meters relay. It's still a mystery why she wasn't allowed to compete in 800 meters. She surely was a victim of regional bias and petty politics. That incident of deprivation still rank-less in Jyotirmoyee's mind. After Atlanta, Jyotirmoyee picked up a silver in the ITC meet in 1997. She also competed in the world Railways meet in London in 1994 and in Moscow in 1997.

At the Asian Track and Field championship in Japan at the beginning of 1998, Jyotirmoyee performed well below her best. Two bronzes in 800 and 1500 meters and a silver in 4X400 meters was not quite the result she was expecting. She was also just above average at the Inter State Athletics meet at the Salt Lake Stadium just prior to the Bankok Asiad. It suggested that her current from wasn't exactly spectacular. But when it mattered most she rose to the occasion. The fire was burning in her belly. In an eventful week in Bankok she reached her pinnacle and completed a stupendous double.

Born in a family of six brothers and sisters in a village called Debagram, Jyotirmoyee was all along encouraged by her family to persevere in a sports that had never been regarded as high profile in India. Satyaranjan Roy, one whom Jyotirmoyee recognises as her true "Guru", imparterd the basics in her. After spotting her talent Roy ensured that the talent did not go abegging. With the care of a father he arranged for Jyotirmoyee's residential training at Kanchrapara. It's he who instilled a desire to aim something big in Jyotirmoyee's mind. After her return from Bankok Roy's now famous ward paid her tribute by visiting her "Guru's" place. Apart from her family and Satyaranjan Roy, Jyotirmoyee's husband Avtar Singh, a former Indian athlete, had been a constant source of motivation for her. Said Jyotirmoyee, "I am highly indebted to Avtar for the sacrifices he made. He deserves as much accolade for my achievements."

Jyotrmoyee's rise to stardom hasn't been smooth at all. In fact her career graph shows a roller coaster ride. She had been constantly dogged by controversy. The imbroglio surrounding West Bengal Amateur Athletics Federation's election in 1995 led to the arrest of her husband Avtar Sing. A clearly shaken Jyotirmoyee quit Bengal as a mark of protest and competed for a different state. She is a lady of strong character. Therefore, each controversy made here more resolute. And she chose the track as the best place to vent all her greivances. It's this steely resolve that has been the key to her success. Through her victory at Bankok she wants to spread this feeling of 'never say die spirit' among the up coming generation of Bengal.

Presently the whole of Bengal are in a mood euphoria. Felicitations galore. Financial rewards are coming thick and fast from all quarters. Seeing all this, one can't help saying that it once more exposes the fact that our society is still very much emotional. We run from one extremity to the other. We either dump one on the ground or hail him like a god. There is nothing in between this. How many were interested in listening to her story prior to her success? And how many would bother about making a constructive effort to find another Jyotirmoyee?