Women athletes are not treated the same as their male counterparts. That is not a cliché, but reality for the Indian women's hockey players.


Vandana Katariya at her modest residence in Parel yesterday. Pic/Rane Ashish 

Members of the national squad like Rajni Etimarpu, P Sushila Chanu, Yendala Soundarya, coach Helen Mary and Vandana Katariya, fresh from their exploits at the recently-concluded FIH World Hockey League Round 2 where India beat Poland 3-1 to lift the title in New Delhi, landed in Mumbai on Monday night with only their family members present to receive them.