Dilip Tirkey: “Its like I’m getting ready for the final of a major tournament”.
New Delhi: April 24, 2012: “Its like I’m getting ready for the final of a major tournament”.
This is how Padamshree Dilip Tirkey described himself soon after taking oath as the Member of Parliament (Upper House) today in New Delhi.
The world’s highest capped player,who has been nominated by the ruling provincial government led by Biju Janata Dal for the upper house, won the election as well last month, as the party had enough strength to elect three members.
Today, on the eve of parliament session opening, Dilip was among the 50 new members who took oath, to have officially taken over the charge.
Upper House chairman and vice president of India, Prof. Ansari and speaker Meira Kumar were present on the occasion.
Dilip took oath in Oriya language in the name of country.
This is of course new territory for hockey veteran, from sporting turfs to political arena.
“But I think hockey playing is much easier than politics”, said in lighter vein during the lunch he hosted in Orissa Bhawan for his friends and relatives who turned up for the ceremony.
Dilip Tirkey, of course, was looking little nervous on his first day in the august company of Indian politicians.
A sporting icon in Odisha, Dilip Tirkey is the first hockey player of the country who has been nominated to the Parliament (RS).
For today’s swearing in programme Dilip Tirkey was accompanied by his wife Meera Tirkey, Dr.A. K. Bansal, his coach and mentor, along with some relatives and childhood friends.
Dilip outlined his main priorities in the new role.
“I will concentrate on over all sports development, hockey and Education promotion in particular in my State that reposed so much faith in me, besides tribal welfare and their over all improvement.
Dilip thanked Navin Patnaik, Chief Minister of Odisha, who nominated him to the Rajya Sabha.
“Am grateful to our popular leader Patnaikji, who thought of a sportsperson for the post, and selected me”, beaming Dilip said.
Photo caption: Dilip Tirkey flanked by Sanjay Naik, Ajay Kumar Bansal and Debashish shortly after taking oath as the Upper House Member of Parliament.