Harmanpreet Kaur appointed DSP after Punjab Cabinet Approval

The Punjab cabinet today fulfilled their promise by approving the appointment of India’s Women cricketer Harmanpreet Kaur as a Deputy Suprident of Police in the state police department. The cabinet also gave the go-ahead for government jobs to the two children of Naib Subedar Paramjit Singh, who was killed and beheaded by Pakistani forces along the Line of Control (LoC) in May this year. These decisions were taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.

The CM had offered the Harmanpreet the post after her performance in the Women’s World Cup last month, particularly for her blistering knock of 171 runs against Australia that led the Indian team’s victory in the semi-final. She had accepted the offer and subsequently quit her job with the Indian Railways. The Arjuna Award winner’s appointment is under a direct quota post.

DGP to introduce cricket team in the department

Earlier, Director General of Police Suresh Arora said that after the cricketer’s induction into the force, they would set up a cricket team in the police department. Lauding her performance, Amarinder Singh also handed over a cheque of Rs 5 lakh to Kaur. This move will inspire many budding cricketers, not just the women but also the boys wishing to step in the game in Punjab.

Presently, after a spectacular performance in the World Cup, the Indian women are getting more attention than they did ever before. They are now featuring on reality shows and panel discussions as well as promoting brands and are taken more seriously. Though the Indian Women’s team reached the World Cup final in 2005 as well, that achievement did not make heads turn like their recent exploits in England.

There is some talk about initiating a women’s IPL in the not-so-distant future. Things have certainly changed since the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took over women’s cricket and there has been a more professional approach in recent years with a proper staff and all major facilities, but appreciation like this from the government only adds to the development of the women’s game.