When the sky comes calling

To call Laveti Dharini and Jhansipriya the star sisters wouldn’t be a misnomer. Ever since they joined the Yacht Club of Hyderabad back in September 2017, they have been scripting a story of a steady rise through the ranks of India’s sailing scene. Just into their teenage years, they made their way into the club because of the pull that water sports had for them. In July 2018, at the Telangana Regatta, they marked their first competition, and they didn’t disappoint. Dharini landed a sweet bronze, and 10-year-old Jhansi overcame nerves to finish sixth. Recalling that particular race, Dharini says, “That was my first competition, and I was headed for gold. However, I capsized and was overtaken, and therefore finished third. It was a little disappointing.”

However, the sisters were always meant for the higher seas. In December that year, they headed to Krishnapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, and struggled to compete amidst the wild waves of the sea, which led to nausea and a sad finish. And even though the girls were a little heartbroken, their mother, Laveti Ramana, expressed no fear or doubt. “I wasn’t scared at all, ever. If we don’t challenge ourselves, we will never reach our true potential. Being on the move is the only way to succeed, and I knew that they were in good hands here at the club with Coach Suheim,” says the 35-year-old.

Such bravery isn’t new for Ramana. Married at the young age of 19, her husband divorced her within six years, leaving her to take care of her two daughters. She now works as a housekeeping staff at Yashoda Hospital, Secunderabad. From their humble home in Marredpally, the two sisters have travelled all over the world, with Jhansi even representing India in the World Championship in Italy this year, at the tender age of 15. 

Their first experience overseas, however, was in Portugal at the Atlantic Week, and the girls were met with the frustrating conditions of absolutely no wind, and finished outside the top 100. However, they didn’t stop there. The next overseas expedition was in Spain, and amidst heavy wind, and some tough sailing conditions, Dharini and Jhansi finished 52 and 44 respectively. They also participated as part of team India at the Asian and Oceania Championship in October 2019. The exposure is priceless, the girls say. “I was 13 years old when we competed in Spain, and I was shocked when I finished the best amongst our club members. I think it might be luck,” says the 15-year-old with a light twinkle in her eye.  

“At my age, I can’t buy even a reservation ticket, but they have gone abroad, have flown, at a very young age, and I am proud of how far they have gone with this club,” says Ramana. 

The girls wish to continue representing India, and besting their own records on the water. This year at the Monsoon National Regatta, Jhansi managed to bag the gold, and in Mysore, at the Multiclass youth National Regatta, Dharini, who was playing in the senior Laser category for the first time, landed a cool bronze. And while girls cannot enroll into the Navy right now via sailing, Dharini hopes that that day will come soon, and help her realise her dream of becoming a Navy officer. For Jhansi, the YCH is where she wishes to end up as a coach. “This club is it for me. I don’t want to go anywhere else,” she says.

The two sisters believe that they are stronger, mentally and physically when compared to their peers. They also speak fluent English, which they say was possible after they were shifted to a private school, from the government school they used to study in in Marredpally. Then there’s also the additional English classes they have had at the club to help them communicate efficiently as they traverse the skies to bag glory on the seas. 

Dharini, in a poignant note, says that the club, and coach Suheim Sheikh has taken care of them like their daughters. “We have learned to not just be self-sufficient, but also how to depend on the brothers and sisters we have made at the club,” she concludes.