The days of struggle of 29-year-old former Indian footballer Tanuja Baghe are finally going to be over as the State Government has initiated a process to provide her with a job.
On Thursday, Electronics, IT, Sports and Youth Services Minister Tusharkanti Behera directed officials to provide immediate assistance to Baghe, who is now earning his livelihood by herding goats and also working as a housemaid.
In the wake of media reports about Baghe’s plight, the Minister sought a report from the Jharsuguda Collector on the basis of which he has asked the department to take steps to help her.
It may be mentioned that the tribal sportsperson, who represented the State and the country in football as goalkeeper and rugby, had to cut short her career due to financial reasons. A mother of a six-year-old girl, she has been struggling for her sustenance.
She had been provided a job as a Home Guard for her sports achievements, but she lost it due to prolonged absenteeism for around four years.
She had said she quit the job as the remuneration was very low. She also left a job of football trainer in a private school as she received a monthly salary of Rs 3,000 instead of the promised Rs 8,000.
