New Delhi: India clinched its first ever individual Olympic gold medal in 108 years when Abhinav Bindra won the 10 meter air rifle event in one of the most pulsating shooting finals in the history of the world's biggest sporting extravaganza.
Back home, India is in a jubilant mood. Sportspersons and politicians across party lines united to congratulate the shooting star with many chief ministers announcing cash rewards for Bindra.
The Chhattisgarh government announced a Rs 1 lakh award for the shooter.
"It is really a great moment for the country and 100 crore people are celebrating the occasion of the first ever gold medal in an individual game," Chhattisgarh Chief Minister, Dr Raman Singh said.
Cricketers M S Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh too have congratulated the sharp shooter and the BCCI has gone one step ahead and announced a cash award of Rs 25 lakh and the Punjab government has decided to honour him with a Rs 1 crore cash reward.
Meanwhile, Asian Games gold medalist, P T Usha said, "I am proud of Abhinav. He was very confident. He was also very calm and composed at the awards ceremony. But there was happiness inside. There has been a lot of hard work put in. Every Indian is proud of Abhinav Bindra."
The Haryana government too has said that they are going to honour the shooter with a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh.
Meanwhile, the Bihar government has decided to name the Patna Indoor Stadium after Bindra as well as give him a cash prize of Rs 11 lakh.
After winning the gold Bindra told CNN-IBN, "I needed every bit of energy to perform well. I was trying to focus on getting every shot in."
He added that the struggle "is also a joy sometimes" and that the medal "is completely my family's medal".
IOC President, Suresh Kalmadi added, "It is a great day in the history of India and we are proud of this achievement."
National Shooting Coach, Sunny Thomas said he was confident the youngster would go on to win many more awards.
And Sports Minister M S Gill had the last word.
"I congratulate all including myself. This will boost the confidence of all other participants," he stated.
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