Swapna dream `run' continues

TT, Jalpaiguri/Siliguri: Swapna Burman, the golden girl of Jalpaiguri, remained busy even on the third day of her stay at home as she had to move into different localities of Jalpaiguri on Sunday to attend programmes convened to felicitate her for winning gold in heptathlon in the Asian Games held in Jakarta.

On Monday, Swapna will leave for Calcutta where she would be attending rehab sessions which are a part of the treatment for her injuries.

"My parents had a dream to see me as a police officer. But due to weak economic conditions of my family, I could not meet their dream. However, it gives me a great pleasure today as I could make them proud by performing as an athlete," said Swapna on Sunday afternoon.

She was attending a felicitation programme organised Swapna Burman being felicitated at the the police line ground in Jalpaiguri on Sunday. Picture by Biplab Basak by Jalpaiguri district police at the police line ground. Senior police officers of north Bengal were present at the event.

"I would request everybody to pray for me so that I win in the upcoming Olympics (to be held in 2020). Soon, I will resume my practice under the guidance of my coach," the athlete added. Her success also made Pradhan Hembram and Krishna Das, the pradhans of Patkata panchayat (under which Ghoshpara, where Swapna lives, is located) and Baropatia-Natunbos, the adjoining panchayat of Jalpaiguri Sadar block announce a financial as- sistance of Rs five lakh each. On Sunday, Das handed over a cheque for Rs one lakh to Swapna.

"We will also provide a piece of plot to Swapna where she would, in due course, train budding athletes of the district," said Das.

In the afternoon, members of Jalpaiguri Press Club also felicitated Swapna and District Sports Association.

Swapna said on February 11, she might go to Germany on a sponsored trip. "Otherwise, I will be in Calcutta. Some of the clubs organising Durga Puja have approached me but I have not made any commitment so far," she said.

On Sunday, the heptathlete was also honoured at Patkata BFP School where she had studied years back. It was Biswajit Kar, a teacher of the school, who had helped Swapna participate in the district and state level sports meet of primary school.