In a heartwarming celebration of triumph over adversity, Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Governor of Assam, awarded ₹1,00,000 to Simu Das in recognition of her remarkable achievements as a key member of India’s Blind Women’s Cricket Team.
This honour comes on the heels of India’s historic victory at the inaugural Blind Women’s T20 World Cup, held from 11th to 23rd November 2025 across India and Sri Lanka. India, led by skipper Deepika TC, defeated Nepal by seven wickets at the P Sara Oval in Colombo on 23rd November, etching their names as the first-ever champions of this prestigious tournament.
Simu Das’s journey is a poignant story of resilience and passion. Born completely blind and hailing from a marginalized family in Nagaon district, Assam, her rise from hardship to global cricketing glory represents the indomitable spirit of sports.
Despite battling severe financial instability and carrying the responsibility of a brother who is both blind and deaf, Simu’s dedication to cricket never wavered. Identified and nurtured by the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) and Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, she emerged as a vital player in India’s victorious campaign.
The recognition of Simu’s achievement has reverberated through political and sports circles alike. Recently, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared a surprising encounter that highlighted Simu’s sudden national spotlight.
“Last week, I got a call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi at around 5:30 am. He asked me if I had met Simu. I got nervous and told him I am Himanta speaking. He told me, ‘You meet Simu, and she has a problem, you address her problem.’ I was confused, thinking who is Simu was and what the problem was. I directly called the PMO office. I knew about Simu then, they told me she is from Assam and part of the Blind Women’s T20 World Cup champion team,” CM Sarma recounted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself met the team following their historic victory, receiving an autographed bat as a symbol of their success. Meanwhile, Assam’s leadership has stepped in strongly to support Simu’s future, with CM Sarma presenting her a generous ₹10 lakh cheque to aid her sporting career. He lauded her as a shining example of resilience and excellence for Assam’s youth.
Speaking on this momentous occasion, Simu Das expressed deep emotion: “Today is the most emotional day of my life. I come from a family that has struggled for everything. There were times when I felt my dreams were too big for someone like me. But the announcement of a government job and this honour from our Hon’ble Chief Minister have given me a new life and a new identity.”
Behind Simu’s success stands her steadfast mother, Anju Das, a daily wage worker who single-handedly raised Simu and her differently abled sister. “When one has no one of their own, they have to make everyone theirs. I am grateful to everyone who has supported me on this journey. Initially, I faced difficulties communicating in Hindi after coming to Delhi, but with determination and self-belief, success is achievable,” Simu added.
Simu’s inspiring journey from Nagaon to New Delhi, culminating in a world championship at Colombo, is a beacon of hope for aspiring athletes with disabilities. Her story intertwines with India’s larger narrative of women’s cricket triumphs this year, particularly the Indian women’s cricket team’s historic win at the inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup 2025, led by skipper Deepika TC.
The senior women’s team, led by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, under the guidance of head coach Amol Muzumdar, also lifted the maiden ICC title by winning the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup by defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the final on 2nd November. The Under-19 Women’s team, led by skipper Niki Prasad, also defended the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup title in January-February earlier this year.
This milestone celebrates not just victory on the field but the power of sports to transform lives, erase barriers, and elevate champions like Simu Das to national acclaim, she is now a celebrated sports icon embodying courage, perseverance, and excellence.
(Quotes sourced from NDTV)
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