Steeplechase star Lalita Babar offered job by Maharashtra government

The Maharashtra government on Monday offered a government job to steeplechase athlete Lalita Babar, who became the first Indian athlete after P T Usha, to reach a track final at the Olympics.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who felicitated Babar in Mumbai said the athlete, a native of Satara district, has been offered a job in the state government. Fadnavis and senior ministers wished her success for all her future endeavours.

27-year-old Babar did not succeed in winning a medal at the Rio Olympics but said she has come back rich in experience and exposure that will stay with her for years.

"Now my sights are set on bagging a medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics," she said.

"I am happy that after P T Usha, another Indian athlete, that too a Maharashtrian, reached Olympic finals," the athlete said.

Meanwhile, tamasha (folk dance) artistes from Satara district, said they will give Babar Rs one lakh in recognition of her reaching the Olympics finals. On Saturday, the Haryana government had announced a reward of Rs 15 lakh to Babar.