Puja Karmakar is a prominent name in Indian women's football. The 30-year-old attacking midfielder represented Junior Bengal even before joining any club team. Following an impressive performance in the Under-17 national championship she was directly called up to the junior Indian preparatory camp. 

This part, Puja has also earned several laurels. She has represented Bengal in the senior nationals for seven times. She has taken part in National Games for Bengal. Even the 30-year-old footballer who hails from a place in the southern part of Kolkata named Vijaygarh, has  taken part in Indian Women's League (IWL) for different teams like Espire, Sethu FC and Kenkre FC. She has also donned India shirts quite a few times, participating in the  AFC Cup qualifiers, and Asian Cup qualifiers. She also has acquired D-licence coaching degree. 

The attacking midfielder who was one of the key members of Kanyasree Cup-winning East Bengal this season, drew the attention of the Kolkata football fraternity when representing Taltala Dipti Sangha a couple of years ago, scored 12 goals in only four matches including a hat-trick. 

Still, Puja could not hide her frustration while saying, "Even though I have settled in Kolkata and Indian women's football I do not have a job. I have tried several times. Along with a few other players, I was also promised a job at Kolkata Police before the Covid-19 pandemic. But that went in vain also after lockdown started." 

Puja's father died in her childhood. Mother worked as a makeshift nurse but now after growing old, she manages to earn by cooking in other households. 

Puja realizes, "I am also growing older. I do not know how long I would be able to continue. Despite having tried to get a job several times, I have not yet received any job. Even despite having qualified in the selection trials in Railways in Odisha, I was deprived of the job. The girls who failed to impress the coach and the recruiters got jobs. So, now I feel the only way to increase earnings is by playing for the clubs, especially outside Bengal. Simultaneously, I will still try to get the job."

Puja has already participated in IWL. She asserted saying, "I have played for a Mumbai-based club Espire in the IWL qualifiers. I have also represented Kekre FC. Although the women's footballers get the least amount of money, the clubs outside Bengal offer a quite better amount of money compared to the clubs in Bengal offer."

As its reflection, this time also, Puja who is unlikely to continue with East Bengal which will have its maiden entry in the IWL this year, is likely to join a Goan team to take part in the forthcoming IWL with the hope of getting a better amount of money. She has the ultimate desire to say her mother to take a rest from cooking at others' homes. That is why her fight goes on.