The villagers of Gopalapur in Jajpur district celebrated once again after Dutee Chand won silver medal in 200 meter race in Asian Games in Jakarta. Earlier, she had won a silver medal in 100 meter race.
Many villagers, including the family members of the sprinter, distributed sweets and burst crackers after her victory. “We had a hope that Dutee will win a gold medal in 200 meter but she won silver. We hope she will win gold medal in Tokyo Olympic. We are extremely happy after Dutee won two silver medals,”said Saraswati Chand, the elder sister of Dutee.
Many villagers garlanded the parents of Dutee for their daughter’s achievement.
Former Minister Prafulla Ghadai, Bari MlA Debashis Nayak, besides Sukinda MlA Pritiranjan Ghadai, Jajpur Collector Ranjan Kumar Das and SP Charan Singh Meena and social worker lopamudra Sendha expressed joy over the feat of Dutee.
“The district administration will felicitate Dutee for her great achievement soon,” said Collector Das.
A special prayer was held in the village on Wednesday where villagers offered Diyas to the village deity after Dutee ‘s victory. In 1986 PT Usha won three medals in Asian Games and after 32 years a woman athlete Dutee won two medals.
Governor Ganeshi lal congratulated Dutee on her historic success in the Asian Games and making Odisha as well as India proud.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Tweeted, “Congratulate DuteeChand, our own sprint queen on bringing more glory for India with a silver medal in 200m sprint, following a silver in 100m.
Entire Odisha and the nation is proud of your silver double at the AsianGames2018. Well done!”
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also congratulated the ace sprinter for her spectacular achievement.