The Hindu : Sport : Avalanche of accolades and cash awards for Sushil Kumar

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Thursday, Aug 21, 2008
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Avalanche of accolades and cash awards for Sushil Kumar

NEW DELHI: Sushil Kumar was on Wednesday flooded with praises and cash awards after winning the second ever wrestling Olympic bronze medal for India.

The President, Pratibha Devisingh Patil, hailed Sushil’s determination to earn another medal for the country.

“I am extremely delighted and proud that you have won the bronze medal. Your determination, grit and ambition for achievement have given the nation its second medal at these Games.

“You have proved that hard work will always bring laurels,” she said.

The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, described the feat as an achievement that would inspire the young generation. “Your accomplishment will inspire all young sportspersons of the country to excel in their chosen fields of endeavour. Your achievement has brought joy and pride to the nation,” he said in his congratulatory message.

The Vice President, Hamid Ansari, said, “Sushil’s valuable addition to the Indian medal tally is a further inspiration for Indian sportspersons.”

The Union Sports Minister, M.S. Gill, who spoke to the wrestler after the triumph, said, “the whole nation is happy” with his performance.

Cash awards poured in for the Delhi grappler with the total prize money totalling over a crore.

An ecstatic Union Railway Minister, Lalu Prasad, recognised the feat of Sushil, a railway employee, and promoted him from ticketing inspector to Assistant Commercial Manager besides announcing a cash award of Rs. 55 lakh.

An overwhelmed Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit declared Rs. 50 lakh for the Najafgarh boy.

Union Steel Minister Ram Vilas Paswan announced Rs.25 lakh for the wrestler while the Haryana Government chipped in with Rs. 25 lakh each for Sushil and badminton player Saina Nehwal.

Corporate house RK Global Shares and Securities Limited also committed to give Rs.5 lakh to Sushil. – Special Correspondent

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