Pune based Nikita Takle-Khadsare bags third position in Junior Indian National Rally Championship
Pune: 22-year-old Nikita Takle-Khadsare despite the steering being faulty bagged third in the Junior Indian National Rally Championship (JINRC) held at Kohima, Nagaland. The competition is considered to be the toughest with several challenges, in which 70 car rally competitors from India participated.
In the Junior Indian National Rally Championship (JINRC) Arnav Pratap Singh topped and Nikita secured third in the race. In the rally held in Kohima, Nagaland, the competitors had to face many challenges, including cold, cars not starting due to engine problems, collisions due to fog and ten competitors dropping out of the rally on the first day. On the second day, approximately twenty-eight contestants participated.
Nikita at the age of 18 started participating in car rallies. In a short period, many competitions were held in India while veteran competitors participated and the newcomer Nikita shined in every competition. She was appreciated for her success.
Nikita credits her success to her entrepreneur father Nitin Takle, husband Shubham Khadsare, family and her mentor Chetan Shivaram.
Nitin Takale, Nikita’s father said, “I feel proud that our daughter secured 3rd rank in the hardest Nagaland rally although her steering was faulty. In this competition, one has to not only reach the finish line but also park the vehicles in the allotted time. After crossing the finish line Nikita’s car key broke and she managed to restart the car and reach the parking lot 10 seconds before the time up.”
He further said, “For the last year, she has been taking part in various competitions and desires to represent India in other countries as well. As the car racing has most of the male participants and my daughter gives tough to them and has changed her mindset that females can even be part of it.”
“I would advise parents who have a daughter to let their daughter do what she wants and support her to achieve her dreams. Treat them equally like a son and not as a responsibility until her marriage. Let her dream and give her the right to fulfil it,” said Nikita’s father.
