Mandakini gets job as police sub-inspector

Former Asia woman powerlifting Mandakini Mohanta’s long quest for employment may have ended with the Police Department recruiting her as a sub-inspector yesterday. But the job has not made the lifter from Mayurbhanj district as happy as it should be. That is because her participation in the Asian championship, scheduled to be held at Udaypur in Rajasthan from May 1 to 6, has become uncertain. The Biju Patnaik State Police Academy, where Mandakini is currently undergoing training, is not willing to allow her leave for the purpose even though the former ‘Strong Woman of India’ has already deposited the participation fee of Rs 36,000. She, however, thanked the Police Department as well as the Director General of Police for giving her the job and hoped that the authorities would allow her to take part in the Asian meet. ``I am optimistic of winning a medal as I have prepared well,’’ explained Mandakini today.