A young athlete from Chhattisgarh has emerged as a notable figure in lesser-known sports disciplines, highlighting both individual resilience and the growing diversification of India’s sporting landscape.

Shivani Soni, who was raised by her mother after being abandoned by her father, has achieved recognition in speed ball and mini golf, representing India at international platforms and securing a place in the India Book of World Records.According to reporting by ETV Bharat, Shivani’s early life was marked by economic and social challenges. Her mother, an Anganwadi worker, provided consistent support despite limited resources.

Anganwadi workers, who operate under India’s Integrated Child Development Services programme, are typically responsible for delivering basic health, nutrition, and early education services at the community level. In Shivani’s case, this role also involved sustaining her daughter’s ambitions in competitive sports.

Shivani’s achievements are particularly significant given the niche status of the sports she competes in. Speed ball, a racquet sport involving rapid striking of a tethered ball, requires high levels of coordination and reflexes, while mini golf demands precision and consistency. Both disciplines remain outside mainstream sporting circuits in India, receiving limited institutional attention compared to cricket, athletics, or badminton.

Despite these constraints, Shivani has progressed to represent India in international competitions, demonstrating the potential for athletes from non-traditional backgrounds to succeed in emerging sports. Her inclusion in the India Book of World Records further underscores the recognition of her accomplishments at a national level.

Her journey reflects broader structural issues within Indian sports development, particularly the uneven distribution of resources and opportunities. Athletes from smaller towns and economically weaker backgrounds often rely heavily on family support and local networks to pursue competitive careers.

In this context, Shivani’s progress highlights the role of grassroots encouragement in enabling talent to emerge outside established training ecosystems.Observers note that stories such as Shivani’s are increasingly visible as India expands its participation in diverse sporting disciplines. Government initiatives and private sponsorships have begun to address some gaps, though access remains uneven across regions and sports categories.

Athletes competing in less-publicised sports often face challenges related to funding, infrastructure, and exposure.Shivani’s achievements also point to the evolving definition of sporting success in India, where recognition is no longer confined to traditional or commercially dominant disciplines.

As more athletes enter global competitions across varied sports, their performances contribute to a broader redefinition of national representation.Her case illustrates how individual determination, combined with familial support, can overcome structural limitations.

While systemic challenges persist, the visibility of such achievements may encourage greater institutional attention toward emerging sports and athletes from underrepresented backgrounds.

The improvement was largely driven by higher rural employment during the farming season and a steady increase in female participation across sectors.

According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released by the Ministry of Statistics, rural areas experienced a notable boost in job creation.

Unemployment among individuals aged 15 and above in rural regions eased to 4.4%, down from 4.8% in the previous quarter, reflecting seasonal agricultural activity and improved labour demand.

Urban unemployment remained nearly steady at 6.9%, compared to 6.8% earlier, showing consistent performance despite global economic challenges.

The survey, which covered over 564,000 people, estimated that India had around 562 million employed persons during this period.

India’s labour force participation rate (LFPR) rose slightly to 55.1% from 55.0% in the previous quarter, signaling gradual but stable workforce engagement.

Encouragingly, female labour participation rose to 33.7% from 33.4%, marking a continued upward trend in women’s involvement in India’s economic growth story.

Experts see this increase as a reflection of government policies encouraging women’s empowerment, skill development, and inclusion in both rural and urban sectors.

However, the data also noted that unemployment among urban women edged up slightly to 9% from 8.9%, indicating room for further policy focus on job stability and equality.

Among men, unemployment remained stable at 6.2%, a minimal change from the previous 6.1%, showcasing a balanced employment environment overall.

The Worker Population Ratio (WPR) — representing the share of employed individuals in the total population — also increased marginally to 52.%, supported by the surge in rural female participation.

Rural employment saw a notable transformation, with the share of self-employed workers rising to 62.8% from 60.7%.
This shift reflects the seasonal rise in agricultural and allied activities that traditionally boost rural livelihoods during the monsoon farming months.

In urban India, regular wage and salaried jobs improved modestly to 49.8%, up from 49.4%, suggesting a slow but steady recovery in formal employment sectors.

Industries such as services, technology, and small-scale enterprises have also begun to rebound, offering greater income stability and long-term job prospects.

The survey further highlighted that 57.7% of rural workers were engaged in agriculture during the quarter, compared to 53.5% previously.
This increase underscores agriculture’s continued role as a vital employment generator in India’s economy.

Meanwhile, urban workers in the tertiary sector — including education, health, retail, and services — saw their share rise to 62%, signaling healthy demand in consumer-oriented and service-based industries. Analysts view these numbers as evidence of a broad-based recovery and India’s resilience amid global economic uncertainty.

With consistent policy focus on skill development, rural employment schemes, and women’s economic participation, India’s labour market continues to show promising momentum.

Experts suggest that sustained reforms and industrial growth could push these employment gains further, reducing job disparities and strengthening inclusive development.

The latest figures reaffirm that India’s economy is moving in a positive direction, supported by an active labour market and the increasing participation of women in the workforce.

As the country continues to invest in human capital and innovation, the foundation for long-term growth and social equality becomes even stronger.