India, Aug. 4 -- Standing in the scorching summer heat at the Indian Oil petrol pump in Chandigarh's Sector 42, Priyanka Verma often wondered about her purpose in life. Working at the fuel station wasn't exactly her goal, but with a monthly family income of Rs.15,000 earned mostly by her mother who works as a housemaid, she barely had a choice. Then, of course, there was a dream that needed to be funded.

Five months after she first refueled a car, Priyanka stood on the Asian Under-23 podium in Jakarta with a silver in the heavyweight (+81kg) category, having gone down to Uzbekistan's Sobirakhon Shakhobidinova - a former Asian youth and under-19 champion.

"She was too good. Technically a much better boxer. Despite the loss, I am happy wi...