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Union minister Suresh Prabhu on Thursday announced a cash reward of Rs 1.30 crore for 10 members of the Indian women's cricket, who are employed with the Indian Railways.
Prabhu also announced out of turn promotions for all members of the team and elevation for captain Mithali Raj and batswoman Harmanpreet Kaur to gazetted officer rank.
"While it is a happy day for all Indians, it is really a matter of great pride for the Railways specially. Railways have 10 out of the 15 world class cricketers. The captain, vice-captain, wicket-keeper, the highest-scorer are all our employees," said Prabhu at a felicitation function for the women cricketers at the Rail Bhavan.
Prabhu further said that no one in the country ever imagined the level of success achieved by the women's team and it was their commitment and dedication that has brought them so far.
"I was asking Diana Eduljee (former India Captain) about the time she started playing, she told me that she started in 1971. That means she started 46 years ago. At that time, I am sure she never would have imagined that one day Indian women will go and give such tough competition at the World Cup, doing so well. I don't think anyone would have imagined this," said Prabhu.
Mithali Raj gets out of turn promotion at Railways
Recognising her performance, the Ministry of Railways has promoted Indian women's cricket team captain Mithali Raj to the post of OSD (Sports) in Hyderabad-headquartered South Central Railway (SCR).
"Approval of the Ministry of Railways is communicated for grant of out of turn promotion to Mithali Raj, Chief Office Superintendent (Chief OS) in South Central Railway, to Group 'B' Gazetted post of OSD (Sports) in recognition of Indian team's performance in the Women's World Cup," a letter from Railway Board to SCR said.