Hima Das inducted as Assam Police DSP, ‘dream come true’ says sprinter
The Indian sprinter vowed to diligently serve her post as a policewoman alongside pursuing her career in athletics.
India’s star sprinter Hima Das has been inducted as the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in her home state of Assam.
Hima Das was appointed DSP two weeks ago but the official induction into the Assam Police was done on Friday in the presence of state chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
The ceremony was also attended by several other dignitaries, including the Director General (DG) of police.
Hima, a former world junior champion in 400m, described her appointment as a childhood dream come true.
“Since my school days, I harboured the wish to become a police officer one day and my mother also wished the same,” the 21-year-old Hima Das said at the gathering.
The star sprinter also reminisced how her mother would buy her a toy gun during Durga Puja festivals and encourage her to join the police one day.
“My mother would tell me to work for Assam police, serve the people and become a good person,” she recounted.
Hima Das, however, added that despite her new responsibility, her dedication towards athletics won’t waver.
“I will diligently work for Assam police, but I must say sport will never take a back seat. I got everything due to sports. I will try to work for the betterment of sports in the state and make Assam one of the best performing states in the country, like Haryana,” she said.
Hima Das’ appointment came on the back of the state’s decision to make medals winners from Assam at the Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games officers in various state departments.
Hima Das won the 400m gold at the IAAF World Under-20 Championships 2018 at Tampere, Finland, to become the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal at an international track event.
She also won the silver medal in the women’s 400m at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and was part of the 4x400m women’s and mixed relay teams which won gold at the event.
Struggling with injury for the better part of the past couple of years, Hima Das recently returned to the track, clinching gold in the 200m women’s race at the Indian Grand Prix 2 athletics meet in Patiala.