Olympic Medalist Swapnil Kusale Seeks Promotion from Railways After 9 Years

Photo : PTI

Swapnil Kusale, who recently made history by winning India's first-ever Olympic medal in the 50m rifle 3 positions event, has been employed as a Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) with Indian Railways since 2015. Despite his significant achievement on the global stage, Kusale had faced repeated denials for a promotion during his tenure with the Railways.

Kusale's journey from Pune to Paris has been marked by intense dedication and resilience. Over the past nine years, Kusale has repeatedly requested a promotion but had his appeals dismissed by railway authorities. His coach, Deepali Deshpande, shared that Kusale was disheartened by the lack of recognition from his office, despite his consistent performance. "He was very disappointed by the attitude of his office. Swapnil was never considered for a promotion even after working diligently for nine years," Deshpande told the Times of India.

A colleague of Kusale corroborated this, noting that Kusale was hurt by the rude responses he received when inquiring about his promotion. "Whenever Swapnil asked about his promotion, he got rude replies, and that hurt him more," the colleague said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

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However, Kusale's historic achievement at the Paris Olympics has led to a significant change. Following his Olympic success, Indian Railways has expedited his promotion process. According to Central Railways Chief Public Relations Officer Swapnil Nila, Kusale has been promoted to the position of Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Sports Cell in Mumbai. This promotion recognizes Kusale's remarkable performance and dedication.

In a statement, Central Railways expressed immense pride in Kusale's achievement. "Kusale has made history by bagging a bronze medal. This achievement not only adds to India's medal tally but also establishes Swapnil as a significant figure in Indian shooting sports," the release stated. It further highlighted that Kusale's success comes after years of dedication and training, making him a role model for aspiring athletes.

The release from Central Railways also emphasized, "Indian Railway is immensely proud of Swapnil Kusale's achievement and congratulates him on this historic milestone. His dedication and hard work have brought great honour to the Indian Railways and the nation."

Kusale's promotion is a testament to his extraordinary dedication and a significant milestone in his career, reflecting the Indian Railways' acknowledgment of his remarkable accomplishments in the field of sports.