State govt announces Rs 10 lakh, job for 'heptathlon queen'

MP, 31 Aug 2018, Darjeeling/Kolkata: Congratulating Swapna Barman, India's first-ever Asian Games gold medal winner in heptathlon, the Mamata Banerjee government has decided to give an award of Rs 10 lakh and a job to the athlete. 

The Chief Minister also had a telephonic conversation with Swapna's mother, Basana, and state Tourism minister Goutam Deb visited her house in Ghoshpara, Kalyagunj in Jalpaiguri Sadar Block on Thursday. He handed over a bouquet of flowers and a box of sweets to her mother. 

The Chief Minister tweeted: "Heartiest congratulations to @Swapna_Barman96 our heptathlon queen from India and Bangla, on winning the gold at the Asian Games. You have made us very proud." 

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. 

After visiting her house, Deb said: "Swapna has created history by fighting against such odds." 

Swapna's mother said: "The Chief Minister asked me how I felt with Swapna winning the gold. She inquired about our family. I told her that Swapna's father, Panchanan Barman, was a van rickshaw-puller but had to give up the job as he suffered a major stroke. I too had to give up my job as a tea garden worker to look after Swapna's bed-ridden father. The whole family runs from the meagre earnings on my son Asit, who works as a mason. The Chief Minister then said that she would definitely get in touch with me." 

Basana also said that she spoke to her daughter on Wednesday night and added: "She will be returning to Kolkata on September 3." 

A grand welcome awaits Swapna on her return. "We will have a three-day long celebration when she returns. People will line up on both sides of the streets till her house on the day of her return," stated Sourav Chakraborty, chairman, Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority. 

The golden girl's story is already part of the physical education curriculum in Class VIII in the state government schools.