Meet Pratima Dhotia- the Assam Student Olympian Now Struggles Against Adversity

GUWAHATI: At a time when the people all across the state are enthused by the Pugilist Lovlina Borgohain's extraordinary feat in the recently-concluded Tokyo Olympics, a promising female athlete is struggling against adversities due to her family's unsound economic condition.

Pratima Dohotia, a student sprinter from the Raidang Village, Makum, Tinsukia won a medal at the Bhutan Students' Olympics of 2015-16 in 200 meters relay. She completed the relay in just 26 seconds and brought glory to Assam as well as the country.

In 2018, she was awarded the Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Award for Excellence. Despite such achievements, the young athlete, who has been inspired by Lovlina's success, has to wage war against adversities.

Her family could not buy shoes for her due to their poor economic state that compelled the young promising athlete to carry on her practice barefoot.

Protima appealed to the Sports department to extend some assistance to her so that she could fulfill her dreams.

The local people also demanded the government pay attention to the budding sports talent.

Earlier, the Assam Government presented Pinki Karmakar with her appointment letter on the eve of India's 75th Independence Day. According to reports, Olympic torchbearer Karmakar has been recruited into the labour department.

The letter was given to Pinky Karmakar by Tea Tribes Welfare and Labour Welfare minister Sanjoy Kishan. Pinky Karmakar hails from Assam's Dibrugarh district. She has represented India at London Olympics, 2012 as an Olympic torchbearer.

She was receiving a daily wage of workers at Borborooah tea estate. Her single-day wage counted Rs. 167.

Previously, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met Karmakar and promised to support her with all the requirements. Following receiving the appointment letter, Karmakar thanked Assam CM Sarma.

Karmakar said, "I am very happy and need to thank all the media persons who have supported me. It is simply because of you people now I will be able to live a good life. Past nine years, I served in the tea estate and did face several difficulties."

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