Cricketer Harmanpreet Kaur, who steered India into the ICC Women's World Cup final with a fine 171* against Australia, may soon don the khaki uniform as the Punjab government has initiated the process of inducting her as a DSP in the state police.
Kaur on Wednesday met Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who directed the state Director General of Police (DGP) Suresh Arora to complete the necessary formalities for her appointment as a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), an official spokesperson said.
Singh said he wanted to keep the talented young woman, currently working in the Railways, in Punjab.
The chief minister also assured Kaur that he would take up the issue of the waiver of her employment bond with the Ministry of Railways so that she can join Punjab Police at the earliest, the spokesperson added.
DGP Arora said that after the cricketer's induction into the force, they would set up a cricket team in the police department.
Kaur scored 171 not out from 115 balls in the semi-final against Australia powering the Indian team into the Women's World Cup finals, which they lost narrowly to England.
Lauding her performance, Singh also handed over a Rs 5 lakh cheque to Kaur.
"The way she emerged on the national scene has made all of Punjab proud," said Singh, adding that he was confident that the young cricketer would keep the country's flag flying high.
The chief minister said he was sure that the boys and girls of Punjab would be inspired by her to excel in sports.
According to Raveen Thukral, media advisor to the CM, Singh said he was extremely impressed with Kaur's excellent performance on the field and his government would extend all possible support to nurture her talent.
Kaur, meanwhile, thanked the chief minister for helping her realise her dream of joining the police force, he said.
Kaur said she had been playing for the last nine years this was the first time her expectations from the state government had been fulfilled, Thukral claimed.
The cricketer said she wanted more cricket academies to come up in Punjab, so that the problems she has faced are not faced by other budding players, he added.
(With PTI inputs)
