Squash star Dipika Pallikal is excited about her wedding to cricketer-fiancé Dinesh Karthik
Dipika Pallikal with Dinesh Karthik
Squash’s poster girl Dipika Pallikal is excited about her big day on August 18 when she will tie the knot with cricketer fiancé, Dinesh Karthik. “For every girl, it is an important day. More importantly, both our families are getting together and celebrating the big day. So, it’s nice that there is finally a celebration in the family,” said Dipika.
The squash star also mused that dating another sportsperson is a good thing. “It depends on each other’s personalities and that way, Dinesh and I complement each other. Because of the time spent in our respective sports and just the experiences we have had in our sporting careers, I think we can really help each other. I’m looking forward to the future,” she smiled.
Dipika, who is India’s top ranked squash player, has been known for her stand on the issue of equal prize money for female sportspersons. “I have always been very vocal about what I think is right. I haven’t played in the Nationals for four years because of my stance on equal pay. I stand by it. The fight is not just for the money. We deserve equal respect as men. If it were about the money, I wouldn’t be playing squash. I would have been playing tennis or golf. I had always been fighting for equal respect between men and women,” she said, firmly.
The need of the hour, said this sport star, is to ensure equal prize money. “The British Open recently had equal prize money for men and women. I think that is a step in the right direction. I hope the Indian federation follows it. In the last four years, there has been no increase in the prize money,” she said.
Dipika, who is an inspiration for many young squash players, said that the adulation motivates her. “It is nice to be associated with a game like squash and be a role model for all the youngsters. The most important thing is to perform in your field and everything else will follow. It is nice to have youngsters look up to you and want to be you. I have always taken it as a source of motivation and it has helped me do better,” revealed the recipient of Arjuna Award.
Speaking about what’s lined up for the next few months, Dipika revealed, “At the end of August, I am going to Australia and would be training there for a few weeks. My first tournament is in Macau,” she said, adding that marriage isn’t really going to change a lot in the couple’s lives. “I think it is going to be what it has always been. I will carry on with my training and tournaments. He will carry on with his career. I think we know that we have a few goals to achieve and tournaments to win. For me, my rankings are important and for him, he needs to get into the Indian team and perform really well. We are just going to take it as it comes. Our careers are way more important and that will always be our first priority,” she said.
Off the court, Dipika confessed that she’s passionate about fashion. “I like to go through fashion magazines and keep in touch with the fashion circle. My favourite designers are Arpita Mehta and Gauri and Nainika,” she said, adding that her favourite shopping destination is the US. “I visit the US twice a year. America is a destination where I make sure I spend some time shopping. I keep at least a month and a half to spend in America and yes, shopping tops the list,” she signed off.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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