Archery was among the many sports disrupted by the pandemic. While some athletes managed to maintain their form by practicing in secluded areas outside of official centers, the commercial side of the sport froze. This led Pramod Chandurkar, the Secretary-General of the Archery Association of India, to find a meaningful way to help his country during the crisis. An accomplished leader, Chandurkar famously led India to gold at the 1989 Asia Cup. He is also the owner of Ruth India, a firm dedicated to producing and distributing archery gear nationwide, a role he balances with his extensive volunteer work to support the sport.
Founded in 2000 in Maharashtra, Ruth India is a specialized manufacturer of archery equipment with a team of 30 employees led by Managing Director Pramod Chandurkar. With his usual production lines idle, Chandurkar pivoted the company's focus toward stitching and assembling PPE. As soon as the lockdown took effect, he put this plan into motion, churning out masks, gloves, and gowns for frontline medical staff. To ensure the equipment met safety standards, Chandurkar consulted a friend to understand the technical requirements and medical regulations. By securing raw materials through this connection and organizing his staff in a safe working environment, he was able to quickly deliver critical supplies to those who needed them most.
Even while managing the production of medical supplies, Pramod Chandurkar has kept his commitment to the sport alive by launching online training sessions for AAI coaches and archers starting April 16, 2020. He personally monitors these virtual classes to ensure they align with board guidelines and continue without interruption. Chandurkar's journey in archery is extensive: he started as a coach in Kolkata, spent the 90s with the Army Boys Sports company in Shillong, and later moved to the Army Sports Institute in Pune. He is passionate about grassroots development, working to bring archery training to candidates in remote villages. For him, archery is a lifelong passion that remains his primary drive.