Indian hockey team’s Jyoti Chhetri dazzles crowd, hopes her home next door isn’t demolished | Hockey News

AS 20-year-old local girl Jyoti Chhetri, playing against the USA in the FIH Pro League, dazzled the home crowd on February 18, her parents watched at the stadium, less than 2 km from their home in Rourkela’s Panposh neighbourhood.For the rising forward in the national women’s hockey team, last week was straight out of a fairy tale. But for one tw – soon, she might not have a home.
On the field, Jyoti has been playing hard and moving up. Off it, she has been fighting to avert demolition of her house where she has lived all her life.
Jyoti’s father Bhim Chhetri, a mason, said the family has been served a “notice” local authorities to vacate the house to make way for widening of the road.
It’s going to be a challenge given that the family moved in 20 years ago and built a house on this estimated 300-square-foot plot of government land without any papers.
It’s a no-frills home on a winding road that overlooks the confluence of three rivers – Sankh, Koel and Sarasvati – right across the fabled Panposh Sports Hostel that has produced many international hockey stars, including the likes of former captain – and current Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey; ex-internationals Lazarus Barla and Prabodh Tirkey; and current India team defender Amit Rohidas.
“I moved to Rourkela from Ranchi in 1988,” Bhim recalled. “When I first came here, I was a watchman at the hostel and stayed in quarters they provided. I joined their canteen as a helper cook. Then I got married, two kids were born and the place was too small to live with the family.”
He claims a hostel official suggested he build a house on the tiny land parcel outside the main gate.
The family of four moved there soon after Jyoti was born and it remained their home until two years ago, when local authorities landed unannounced at their doorstep.
“Some 8-10 government officials came to take measurements and informed us that they will demolish the house,” Bhim said. “They gave us time till 2025 or latest 2026 before the demolition job begins….We cannot afford to buy a new house or land. We have requested the government officials to rehabilitate us. They asked us for our Aadhar cards and other documents. But there is no response yet.”
Once the house is razed, the narrow one-lane road will be broadened to ensure there are no bottlenecks on the bridge that runs over the river and connects Kuarmunda to Panposh, 10 km away. This is part of a national highway and the four-lane widening work is being done the NHAI in Odisha.
An NHAI official, who didn’t wish to be named, said that he wasn’t aware of this case. But if there’s any encroachment on government land, demolition notices are issued either the tehsildar or the competent authority on land acquisition led Additional Drict Magrate or NHAI.
Drict Collector of Sundargarh – in which the area falls — Gavali Parag Harshad said he will look into the case and assured all support.
“Though I am not fully aware of the issue, I will definitely look into it. Whatever help is required to her (Jyoti) family, we will extend on our behalf. Even if it’s not possible on our part, we will request the state government to extend help,” Harshad said.
Six months ago, Jyoti approached the Additional Drict Magrate seeking relief. “He assured me they will do something but nothing has happened till now. I am doing whatever I can to seek some support.”
Subhankar Mahapatra, the ADM whom Jyoti met, did not comment on the issue, saying he has been transferred from Rourkela.
He directed the query to the current ADM, Ashutosh Kulkarni, who told The Indian Express: “Since I have just taken charge, I am not aware of the case so I won’t be able to comment.”
Most of the house is just bricks and mortar but with the prize money Jyoti has won recently, her father painted the exteriors facing the main road as well as the indoors, where the young forward’s photographs, medals and accreditation cards of international tournaments – including the Hockey 5s World Cup where India won a silver medal recently – adorn the wall.
Jyoti hopes this success can be a way out. “If I do well in hockey and continue playing in the future, then I may get some financial support or win prize money. With that, I can support my family,” she said.
Bhim does not want his daughter to get dracted. “We are worried what will happen but have told Jyoti to play without any pressure, without thinking about any of this,” he said. “We will see what happens, we are at God’s mercy. Wherever he takes us.”
(With Sujit Bisoyi, Bhubaneswar)