Biplab Kr Deb
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kr Deb at Dipa Karmakar's residence in Agartala on Thursday. Image - Twitter

As the puja festivities have gripped various p[arts of Tripura duri to the Durga Puja being celebrated with traditional and religious fervour, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Thursday met gymnast Dipa Karmakar at her residence in Agartala.

Ace gymnast Dipa Karmakar, who bagged the gold in the women’s vault event at the Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup in Mersin in Turkey in July last, is likely to become the brand ambassador of Tripura.

Dipa Karmakar also represented India at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and became the first Indian female gymnast ever to compete in the Olympics. She is also the recipient of Arjuna Khel Ratna Award.

Tripura Chief Minister Deb also participated in the Durga Puja celebrations in Dipa Karmakar’s residence.

Terming Karmakar as the “pride of Tripura and our entire nation”, Chief Minister Deb on her Twitter handle on Thursday stated: “It was wonderful to visit pride of Tripura and our entire nation, Dipa Karmakar’s residence in Agartala today and take part in the Durga Puja celebrations.”

After Dipa had won gold in Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup in Mersin in Turkey, a senior Tripura BJP leader on condition of anonymity had stated: “Considering her sparkling success in the world meet and earlier achievements, Karmakar is likely to be made the state’s brand ambassador.”

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) during its Special Session in Guwahati recently honoured Dipa Karmakar along with three other star players of the Northeast – Hima Das, Mary Com, Mirabai Chanu – who have brought laurels to the region and the country by creating various records in the sports world.