“Pardon me for not winning a medal in the Rio Olympics, but I will make it possible in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,” Dipa Karmakar promised the gathering during her felicitation in Agartala on Monday.
Dipa and her coach Bishweshwar Nandi were accorded a heroes’ welcome back home following her extraordinary performance in Rio. After a rousing reception at the airport they were taken to the Vivekananda Stadium in a motorcade with people cheering on the way.
SLIDESHOW: >Dipa Karmakar returns home to a grand welcome
A police band and singers entertained the crowd as the duo was escorted to the dais where Chief Minister Manik Sarkar was seated.
Tripura's education minister Tapan Chakraborty announced that the colleges and schools would be closed on Tuesday as a tribute to the gymnast.
Bishweshwar requested the state government to complete the reconstruction of the indoor stadium at the Regional Coaching Centre in Agartala. “Otherwise it will be difficult for Dipa to continue training whenever she is in Agartala before the next Asian Games and the Olympics”, Nandi said.
Apologising for failing to win a medal in Rio, Dipa said she would succeed in the Tokyo Games. She also echoed the slogan: "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao."
Dipa said: “I want to tell you India has the best of trainers…Bishweshwar Sir is best for me.”
Chief Minister Sarkar recalled the contributions of veterans, including the late instructor Dalip Singh, who through their hard work and dedication created a culture of gymnastics in the state. He also hailed Dipa’s parents for supporting their daughter despite all odds.
Sarkar announced the state government’s decision to promote Dipa from sports officer to assistant director and her coach to deputy director from assistant director in the sports affairs and youth department. He said the upcoming meeting of the council of ministers would ratify the decisions.
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