PM Modi, President Kovind congratulate Hima Das for success in U-20 World Athletics

In a tweet, Modi said: "India is delighted and proud of athlete Hima Das, who won a historic Gold in the 400m of World U20 Championships. Congratulations to her! This accomplishment will certainly inspire young athletes in the coming years."

Congratulating Hima, Kovind tweeted, "Congratulations to our sensational sprint star Hima Das for winning the 400m gold in the World Under-20 Championship. This is India’s first ever track gold in a World Championship. A very proud moment for Assam and India, Hima; now the Olympic podium beckons!"

Hima, who is a daughter of a farmer from Kandhulimari village near Dhing in central Assam’s Nagaon district,, scripted history after she clocked 51.46 seconds to claim the top position, becoming the first Indian sprinter to do so in a global track event.

Apart from Modi and Kovind, several personalities from different fields congratulated Hima.

Former Indian cricket team captain Sachin Tendulkar tweeted to say, "Your 51.46 sec dash and years of hard work has paid off, #HimaDas. Many congratulations on winning Gold at the World U20 athletics championship. This is just the beginning of a new era. Many more to come. Keep up the hard work!"

Legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan said in a tweet, "T 2865 - CONGRATULATIONS .. #HimaDas , the first Indian Women to win a GOLD in World Athletic track event EVER ! INDIA is proud of you .. you have given us reason to hold up our heads HIGH ! JAI HIND !!"

Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore tweeted, "Hima Das creates history by winning Gold medal in 400m of World U20 Championships. She is 1st Indian athlete to win Gold in track event of U-20 World Championships. You have made proud."

People of Kandhulimari village and from the neighbourhood had assembled at Hima's house to celebrate her victory.

Hima started off playing football with boys in her village, but a local coach advised her to take up athletics.

Hima was spotted by Nipon Das, an athletics coach with the Directorate of Sports and Youth Welfare during the inter-district athletics meet, where she won gold in 100 m and 200 m event.

Image: twitter.com/sachin_rt