As Hima toiled hard to create history by clinching the yellow metal at 400 metre final at the IAAF championship, sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik also toiled hard to depict Hima’s historic feat at the Puri sea beach.
It took him four hours and 3 tonnes of sands to create the golden girl’s sculpture at the sea beach.
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Talking to Northeast Now over phone from Puri, sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik said, “Basically my aim is to praise those who bring laurels to our country. When I heard about Himaji, got the news first, I felt that a strong pool of talents is there in each and every corner of our country. Himaji is an example of this. In our Odisha also you know Dutee Chand is there. So I try to praise, encourage and wish these talents through my sand art.”
After creating the sculpture Pattnaik also tweeted, “My SandArt with message Pride of India, Running Queen #HimaDas at #Puri beach in Odisha .The first Indian to win a track Gold Medal at the IAAF World Under-20 Athletics Championships.”
Pattnaik was feeling regretful for the delay in creating Hima’s sculpture. “I missed one day due to Ratha Yatra in Puri. I was feeling sorry that I could not wish her. And yesterday it was raining heavily. However, though late, I was able to wish her through my art,” he said.
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Elated with the Hima’s feat Padmashri Pattnaik told his students about Hima. “I told them about Himaji who hails from a nondescript village of Assam and achieved the feat. This is our India. We have to encourage the youngsters who bring laurels to our country. If they get a platform we will start getting so many gold medals in Olympics.”