Bhubaneswar: Odisha sprint queen and double silver medallist in the recently-concluded Jakarta Asian Games, Dutee Chand was felicitated by Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal in a ceremony organised by KIIT at a city hotel here, Monday. The sprinter’s parents, Chakradhara (dad), Akhuji (mom) and elder sister Saraswati Chand were also honoured on the occasion.
Speaking during the programme Dutee said that she has achieved success due to the love, affection and good wishes of the people of Odisha. “The success is not mine only, but credit to the people of Odisha also. I had struggled from my childhood to achieve this success. In my life I have seen ups and downs, but I always pursued my goal with dedication and determination. I never wanted to give up,” she said.
Expressing gratitude to the Government of Odisha for its support she said, “I am very much indebted to our Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for his support to sports and sportspersons. Odisha is the only state to give the highest cash award of Rs 3 crore to a silver medallist. He has set the precedence that athletes can also earn like cricketers,” she added.
Congratulating Dutee, the Governor hoped that she will also do well in the 2020 Olympics and bring more laurels for the country.
“Dutee now has the experience of winning medals in mega events. I am sure she can do an encore in the Olympics with her will power, patience, resolve and perseverance,” Lal stated.
The government of Odisha has set a benchmark as far as prize money is concerned. No other state has given Rs 3 crore to its athletes
Dutee Chand
In a roundabout way, the Governor said that running should mean meditation to Dutee. “Feel the silence while you run… the world, the skies and everybody may be running with you. However, you must not feel all these, the mind should be at peace and there should be the all-conquering silence as you sprint towards the finishing line,” Lal stated.
Among others KIIT and KISS founder and Rajya Sabha member Achyuta Samanta, Bhubaneswar MP Prasanna Patasani, former India hockey captain and OTDC chairman Dilip Tirkey, Rajya Sabha MP and actor Anubhav Mohanty, Odisha Sports and Youth Services secretary Vishal Dev, Bhubaneswar North MLA Priyadarshi Mishra and Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena were also present during the ceremony. Ninety villagers from Dutee’s village Chaka Gopalpur who had been specially invited to the programme were also present.
Former India men’s hockey team captain Tirkey praised Dutee for her indomitable determination. “Dutee is a fighter and she has proved it once more by winning two medals at the Asian Games. She has a long career ahead and I wish her all success,” stated Tirkey.