Indian sprinter Hima Das appointed as DSP in Assam Police; says Sports has given me everything

Indian sprinter Hima Das was inducted as Deputy Superintendent of Assam Police on Friday and called the moment 'a childhood dream come true'.

At a ceremony hosted in Guwahati, Assam’s chief minister, Sarbananda Sonoval, handed her a letter of appointment and was attended by senior state government officials as well as from the police department, including the Director-General of police.

Addressing the audience after her induction, Hima said that she dreamed of becoming a police officer in her youth, and therefore it was a special moment for her.

Hima Das said, “People here know, and I am not going to say anything different. Since my early school days, I harboured a wish to become a police officer one day, and my mother also wished that. She would buy a (toy) gun during Durga Puja; my mother would tell me to work in Assam police, serve the people and become a good person,”

Welcome Aboard!

Heartiest Congratulations to @HimaDas8 and all 597 newly selected Sub Inspectors of Assam Police.

Together, we'll write a new saga of people friendly policing in the State, to serve the citizens of Assam.@CMOfficeAssam @DGPAssamPolice#SIsRecruitment pic.twitter.com/KBeFUGHLuW

— Assam Police (@assampolice) February 26, 2021

Hima said she would continue to work towards the improvement of the state, but more importantly, she also promised to pursue her athletic career.

“I got everything due to sports; I will try to work for the betterment of sports in the state and try to make Assam one of the best performing states in the country, like Haryana. I will diligently work for Assam police, but I must say sport will never take a back seat,” she added.

Assam’s Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonoval, also a former Union Minister of Sports, said Hima’s appointment as DSP would motivate youth to strive for excellence in sports. He tweeted, “A proud day for Assam. Glad to ceremonially appoint ace athlete Hima Das as DSP in Assam Police. An honour for her achievements under the Sports Policy, the appointment will further motivate youths to pursue excellence in sports.”

A proud day for Assam.

Glad to ceremonially appoint ace athlete @HimaDas8 as Dy SP in @assampolice. An honour for her achievements under the Sports Policy, the appointment will further motivate youths to pursue excellence in sports.#SIsRecruitment pic.twitter.com/9tPOt667Eh

— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) February 26, 2021

Hima became the World Junior 400m Champion in 2018 and is now looking to qualify for the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo.

On Thursday, she ran her first competitive race in more than a year and won gold in the women’s 200m race with a time of 23.31 seconds at the Indian Grand Prix II.