By IANS,
New Delhi : President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday joined the nation in congratulating Abhinav Bindra, who shot into history by winning honours at the 10 metre air rifle event in Beijing and became India’s first individual Olympic gold medalist.
While the president praised Bindra for realising the dream of a billion Indians, the prime minister said the Chandigarh boy had done the nation proud with his spectacular achievement.
Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition L.K. Advani, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh and senior cabinet ministers also commended the feat.
“I am extremely delighted and proud to hear today that you have realised the dream of a billion of our people by winning the Olympic gold medal in the 10-metre air rifle event in Beijing,” President Patil said in her message.
“Your achievement today should inspire confidence amongst all Indian sportspersons that they can achieve the pinnacle of any sport at the international level. It should also be an inspiration for more of our youth to take up sports as a full time career,” the president said.
Bindra won by scoring 700.5 points, 596 in the qualifier and 104.5 in the final to claim the gold.
“Your achievement is even greater as not only has India won a gold medal at the Olympic Games after a very long gap of 28 years, but also because you have become the first ever Indian to win a gold medal at the Olympics in an individual event,” Patil said.
The prime minister echoed the sentiment: “I hope this feat will inspire you and other sportspersons of our country to achieve the highest levels of excellence in the international arena.”
Added Advani: “He has done India proud by this sterling achievement.”
According to BJP chief Rajnath Singh, Bindra had added a golden chapter in the history of Indian sports.
“His stupendous achievement has lifted the spirits of the entire country and it signifies the potential of our youth in shaping India’s future. I congratulate Bindra for his outstanding performance and also wish the other members of the Indian Olympic squad good luck.”
Appreciating Bindra’s hard work, the Delhi cabinet expressed “its immense pleasure”.
Steel Minister Ramvilas Paswan, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi also congratulated Bindra.
Lalu Prasad announced a free lifetime train travel by AC first, including on the Shatabdi and Rajdhani express trains, for the gold medalist and a companion.