Bengal govt announces Rs 10 lakh, job for Swapna Barman
Kolkata, Aug 30: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday announced a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh and a government job for Swapna Barman, India's first-ever Asian Games gold medal winner in heptathlon.
State tourism minister Gautam Deb visited Swapna's residence in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal on Thursday morning and made her mother speak to the CM.
"I travelled from Kolkata this morning on the instruction of CM. She wanted to speak to Swapna's mother. They had a fairly long conversation. We, on behalf of the government will extend whatever support that is needed to help her prosper further," Deb told IANS.
"I have a few plans in my mind to further help the family as they are in need. I will share them with the chief minister and then take it forward," Deb added.
The state Athletic Association, meanwhile, is also planning a felicitation ceremony when the 21-year-old returns around September 4.
"We have to do something for sure. Let her comeback. She has made the country proud and she is the toast of the nation now. Let's see what we can do from our side," West Bengal Athletic Association secretary Kamal Maitra told IANS.
Swapna scripted history in Jakarta on Wednesday when she achieved her personal best score of 6026 points in the seven-event competition to earn India a first heptathlon gold in Asian Games.
The golden girl defied physical and financial odds to reach the pinnacle. Swapna's father, Panchanan Barman was a rickshaw puller but has been bedridden for the last few years due to old age problems.
Swapna often had a tough time finding the right competition shoes that would fit her as she was born with six toes in both feet.
The extra width of her feet makes landing painful and shoes wear out quickly.
From former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, an icon from the state to batting great Sachin Tendulkar -- wishes poured in from all corners for Swapna.
"Congratulations to Swapna Barman @Swapna_Barman96 ..for her gold..we in India and Bengal are so happy and proud," Ganguly wrote on his Twitter handle.
"Brilliance in the track and field events again. Outstanding performances from @Swapna_Barman96 (who blazed ahead with a bandaged jaw & 6 toes on each foot)..." Tendulkar tweeted.
Swapna had finished fifth with a total of 5178 points on debut at the Asian Games four years ago in Incheon as a teenager.
She sparkled at the Asian Athletics championships last year, where she bagged the gold.
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Cong leader Prithviraj Chavan defiant after facing verbal missiles on Op Sindoor remarks
Mumbai (PTI): Despite facing criticism, senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on Wednesday stood by his controversial comments that India faced a "total defeat" in aerial fight with Pakistan on the first day of Operation Sindoor on May 7.
The former Union minister refused to apologise for his comments on the Indian military operation against terror hubs in Pakistan and PoK in aftermath of massacre of tourists at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir in April.
Talking to reporters in Pune on Tuesday, Chavan claimed India faced a "total defeat in the aerial fight (with Pakistan) on May 7 which lasted for half-an-hour".
"One may believe this or not. After that the Indian Air Force got grounded and not a single aircraft took flight that day.... be it Gwalior, Bhatinda or Sirsa, there was a possibility of aircraft being shot down, so our complete Air Force was grounded," the former Maharashtra chief minister had said.
Hitting out at Chavan, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde accused the Congress of speaking the language of Pakistan. He said questioning the military action was akin to demoralising the morale of armed forces.
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"The criticism does not stem from the love of the nation, but love for Pakistan," said the chief leader of the Shiv Sena, a key constituent of the BJP-led NDA.
Chavan, however, remained defiant.
"There is no question of apologising. The Constitution has given me the right to ask questions," the Congress veteran asserted.
Chavan also questioned the need of having a 12-lakh strong Army when future wars will be about aerial combats and missiles. "During Operation Sindoor we saw that there was no movement of the Army even for a kilometre," he had said.
BJP Lok Sabha MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra said Chavan's remarks are loaded with sedition.
"He (Chavan) has refused to apologise. The Indian armed forces struck 100 kms inside the Pakistan territory and destroyed 11 air strips (of the Pakistani Air Force). He made remarks that the Indian Army did not even move an inch (during the military operation). This is nothing but a statement full of sedition, a statement of a traitor," Patra said, lashing out at the Congress leader.
The BJP spokesperson maintained the Congress appears to be standing with Chavan and alleged the Opposition party is playing into foreign hands.
Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra should apologise for it, he added.
Union minister Giriraj Singh of the BJP insisted it was not right to devalue the valour of Indian armed forces.
Samajwadi Party MP Virendra Singh suggested that wherever armed forces are concerned, every Indian should be mindful of statements they make and ensure their comments do not demoralise the military.
Operation Sindoor was a result of "mistakes of politicians", he claimed.
TDP MP Krishna Devraylu said after the poll defeat in Bihar, the Congress is rattled and their leaders have been talking absurdly.
"Chavan's remarks are a prime example of this. This kind of disrespect to our armed forces is not necessary. If the Congress is angry with the NDA, it should show it in a different way and not drag armed forces into it," Devraylu opined.
AAP MP Ashok Mittal said such statements should not be made by any senior politician, especially by someone who has been a former chief minister.
The Indian armed forces registered a strong victory and destroyed terror launchpads in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, Mittal added.
