Dancer from Assam paves her way to the Olympics

Hard work is the best way to success. This was proved by danseuse Sonali Acharya of Hailakandi, Assam who danced 25 hours and 25 minutes non-stop to enter the Guinness book of world records recently on occasion of her paying tribute to Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore as part of the countrywide celebrations for his 150th birth anniversary.

This tireless feat has given her a bonus beyond her dreams -- members of the Guinness records who are incidentally also members of the organising committee of the forthcoming London Olympics 2012, selected her to dance at the most prestigious and coveted opening ceremony of the Olympics to be held on July 27.

For a dancer from a remote area, this is nothing short of a dream come true.

Sonali can dance Odisi, Bharatnatyam and Rabindra dance. She has left it on the Olympic authorities to decide what they want her to perform, but one thing she is sure of -- she would spare no effort in making India proud of her.

To ensure that lack of finances do not stop her, this director of a local dance school has even sold her gold ornaments and asked for funds from all sources possible.

The government too has responded positively and is helping her to achieve her mission.