AGARTALA, August 4 (TIWN): Ace gymnast Dipa Karmakar today met Chief Minister Manik Sarkar at the civil secretariat here this evening. The Commonwealth Games bronze medalist today requested the Chief Minister to upgrade the state’s gymnastics infrastructure. Speaking to reporters at the civil secretariat here this evening, Dipa said that she requested the CM to install a foam pit and a new training arena at the Netaji Subhas Regional Coaching Centre (NSRCC).

The Chief Minister assured me to fulfill the request soon, she said. She further said that the CM blessed her and wished her a bright future ahead. Karmakar today had a fabulous reception at the Agartala Airport and at the Umakanta Academy ground in Agartala after her return from the UK en route New Delhi. She said she was overwhelmed by the reception accorded to her.

Dipa Karmakar bagged bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games held at Glasgow in the United Kingdom this month. Asked about her net big target, Dipa Karmakar today said that she would be expecting to clinch a gold or silver in the 17^th Asian Games scheduled to be in Incheon, Korea, from September 19 to October 4 this year.

“China, Korea and Japan are usually seen as usual big contenders in the Asian Games. I want to say that India will be the next big contender”, she said. 

However,  empty handed welcome to Dipa Karmakar haven't gone unnoticed across Tripura and National media. Tripura Govt should have declared a matching cash reward to an achiever like Dipa Karmakar - First Indian woman athlete to clinch a Bronze Medal in CommonWealth Games.  Many Tripurites exchanging conversations in social media circles that,  if Dipa's family wouldn't been Congress supporters , then CPM govt certainly would have declared a matching cash reward to Dipa Karmakar.