A Father’s Dream Fulfilled, A Duty Restored
In a heartwarming story of sacrifice and triumph, Shiv Shankar Gaud, the father of U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup champion Kranti Gaud, is set to be reinstated into the Uttar Pradesh Police force. He had lost his job as a constable while dedicating himself to nurturing his daughter’s cricketing dream, a gamble that has now paid off for the entire nation.
This story goes beyond a simple job reinstatement; it’s a powerful acknowledgment of the silent, unwavering support that fuels greatness from the grassroots of India.
The Impossible Choice: A Career or a Daughter’s Future
For those who followed the Indian team’s glorious campaign in South Africa, Kranti Gaud was a vital member of the history-making squad. Her journey from the remote village of Bairkhad in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh, to lifting a World Cup trophy is a testament to her immense grit. But behind her success was a father who had put his own life on hold.
Shiv Shankar Gaud was a constable with the UP Police. As Kranti’s talent for cricket became undeniable, so did the sport’s demands. She needed to travel for training camps and play in tournaments across the country. For a father in a demanding, non-flexible job, it presented an impossible choice: his duty to the force or his duty to his daughter’s future.
He chose his daughter.
From Farming to World Cup Glory
After taking extended leaves to accompany Kranti, Shiv Shankar eventually lost his job. The family’s financial situation became precarious. To fund his daughter’s dream and make ends meet, he turned to farming and began selling milk. It was a daily struggle far from the roar of the stadium, a quiet sacrifice pinned on the hope that his daughter would one day wear the India blue.
And she did. When Shafali Verma’s team lifted the coveted trophy, the victory echoed back in Sonbhadra. As Kranti’s story of triumph against all odds came to light, so did the story of her father’s profound sacrifice.
A Nation Takes Notice: The Path to Reinstatement
The local administration took notice. Sonbhadra’s District Magistrate, Chandra Vijay Singh, acknowledged the family’s struggle and the critical role Shiv Shankar played. Recognizing that his absence from duty was not neglect but a parent’s noble pursuit, the administration initiated the process for his reinstatement. A report recommending his case on compassionate and exceptional grounds was sent to the state government.
It has now been confirmed that Constable Shiv Shankar Gaud will get his cop job back, his honour and livelihood restored. This move by the Uttar Pradesh government is a powerful message to countless other parents who make similar, untold sacrifices.
For Kranti Gaud, this is a second, deeply personal victory. While the World Cup medal celebrates her on-field achievement, her father’s reinstatement provides her family with a priceless sense of security and vindication. It’s a win for cricket, a win for a dedicated father, and a heartening sign that true heroes—both on and off the field—are being honoured.
