Assam govt appoints Hima Das as DSP, athlete says it will motivate her

Nicknamed 'Dhing Express', Hima Das is a 20-year-old Indian sprinter from Assam.

Hima Das, Hima Das DSP, Assam govt appoints Hima Das DSP, Assam DSP Hima Das

Hima Das became the first Indian woman indeed the first ever Indian athlete to win a gold medal in any format of a global track event at IAAF World U20 Championships when she clocked a speed of 51.46 seconds. (FILE)

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal chaired a meeting of his cabinet on Wednesday night where a decision was taken to appoint World Championship sprinter Hima Das as a Deputy Superintendent of Police in the state.

The cabinet also decided to amend the integrated sports policy of the state by appointing sportspersons as Class-I and Class-II officers in different department of the state like Police, Excise, Transport etc, government spokesman and Industry minister Chandra Mohan Patowary told reporters.

It was decided that Das will be appointed as a DSP rank officer in the Assam police and medal winners in Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games will be appointed as Class- I officers.

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Hima thanked Assam Chief Minister and former Union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal for the job, saying it will motivate her.

It is an honour and I look forward to join Assam Police. https://t.co/kQG7fqEXav

— Hima (mon jai) (@HimaDas8) February 11, 2021

“I thank our Hon’ble Chief Minister @sarbanandsonwal sir @himantabiswa sir for my appointment as Deputy SP with @assampolice The decision is a huge motivation for me. I look forward to be of service to my state and my nation. Jai Hind!” Hima said in a tweet.

Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju lauded Assam government for the decision.

Many people are asking, what about Hima's sports career? She is training for Olympic qualification at NIS Patiala & will keep running for India. Our elite Athletes are employed in various jobs yet continue to play. Even after retirement, they'll continue to promote sports.

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) February 11, 2021

“Well done! Assam Cabinet, headed by CM @sarbanandsonwal Ji has decided to offer the post of DSP in Assam Police to sprinter queen @HimaDas8!,” Rijiju tweeted.

Nicknamed ‘Dhing Express’, Hima Das is a 20-year-old Indian sprinter from Assam.

She became the first Indian woman indeed the first ever Indian athlete to win a gold medal in any format of a global track event at IAAF World U20 Championships when she clocked a speed of 51.46 seconds.