Twenty-one-year-old Swapna won gold for India in heptathlon in the ongoing Asian Games on Wednesday.
Kolkata: India's first-ever Asian Games gold medal winner in heptathlon, Swapna Barman, will receive a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, announced Bengal chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The announcement was made on Thursday. Swapna will also get a government job.
Twenty-one-year-old Swapna won gold for India in heptathlon in the ongoing Asian Games on Wednesday.
Bengal tourism minister Gautam Deb visited Swapna's family in Jalpaiguri and got the chief minister to speak to Swapna's mother over the phone.
PTI quoted West Bengal Athletic Association secretary Kamal Maitra as saying, "The CM announced a cash award of Rs 10 lakh and a government job for Swapna. The minister (Deb) spent about half-an-hour at Swapna's house, and also assured them full support."
Swapna, the daughter of a rickshaw-puller, scored 6026 points in heptathlon, a seven-event competition. This is also her personal best.
Panchanan Barman, Swapna's father, has been bed-ridden after suffering two strokes. Her mother works as a maid and a tea-picker.
Born with 12 toes, Swapna could not train in normal footwear. She was forced to carry on with the same shoes. Lack of funds too hindered her progress. “I don’t get shoes or spikes that fit my size, I’m wearing shoes made for people with five toes,” Swapna had told The Hindu. Not many people know, former India cricket captain Rahul Dravid had funded her training.
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