First day of Vande Bharat brings another fame for athlete Padmini Thomas

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Famed Indian athlete Padmini Thomas was one of the lucky few to grace the Vande Bharat on its initial run in the state. The icing on the cake came for Thomas when the TTR arrived to review her tickets. Familiar smiles spread all through the elite interior of Vande Bharat as Diana John Selvan came in the TTRs robe. Diana reviewed the tickets and later paved the way for media cameras to frame the two together. Diana is the daughter of Padmini Thomas.

“ As a mother, it’s my happiest day. We are also part of history now” a jubilant Padmini Thomas quoted.

It was six years before that Diana entered into railway service after retiring as an athlete. Diana made her first steps into the job after seeking blessings from her mother who retired from service as reservation head.

Padmini Thomas is an Indian athlete and a former president of the Kerala State Sports Council. She won a Silver medal in 4 × 100 m relay and a bronze medal in the 400 metres in the 1982 Asian Games. She is a recipient of the Arjuna Award.

“We are a family of speedsters. So it is no surprise that we like Vande Bharat” Padmini said while Diana was all smiles looking at her mother.