From modest beginnings at her father’s rice farms, all the way to the sprint tracks of in multiple foreign land and then the podium of the 2018 Asian Games, Hima Das’ tale is more than an inspiration and suits her name, ‘The Dhing Express’.
Sprint sensation from Assam Hima Das is household name in the country after the she won India’s first-ever track medal at an international event two years back. The then 18-year-old created history by bagging top spot in the 400m event at the IAAF U-20 World Championships, with a time of 51.46 seconds.
Now from track to trace, Hima is appointed as the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in Assam Police. She has been appointed with this rank for her outstanding contributions in national and international athletic competitions.
An official said that the decision to appoint Das as DSP was taken in an Assam cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal at Dispur on Wednesday. The Council of Ministers also decided to provide government jobs with class one and class two ranks to the sports persons representing Assam and India in international tournaments and championships such as Olympics, World Championships in different wings, Commonwealth and Asian Games.
The official said that the Integrated Sports Policy of Assam would be amended to provide the Class I officer and Class II Officer's jobs to the outstanding sports men and women under different departments of the state government including police, excise and transport departments.
Meanwhile, Kiren Rijiiju, Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports (I/C) also congratulated the young lad. He tweeted, “Well done! Assam Cabinet, headed by CM @sarbanandsonwal Ji has decided to offer the post of DSP in Assam Police to sprinter queen @HimaDas8!”
(With inputs from IANS)
