Nation savouring the gold goodie: Deputy speaker K. Rehman Khan, Vice-President Hamid Ansari, BJP leaders S.S. Ahluwalia, Ananth Kumar, Sushma Swaraj and MP V. Narayanasamy share the news of Indian shooter Abhinav Bindra's Gold medal in Beijing O lympics after the oath ceremony at Parliament in New Delhi on Monday. Photo: PTI.

New Delhi, Aug 11 (PTI) President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and leaders across the political class on Monday hailed the gold medal winning feat of shooter Abhinav Bindra, saying it would be an inspiration to youths to take up sports as a full-time career.

Lavishing full-some praise on Bindra, they said his achievement would inspire other sportspersons to reach the pinnacle of any sports at the international level.

Patil said "Bindra has realised the dream of a billion people" and his achievement "is even greater as not only has India won a gold medal at the Olympics 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 event."

She said Bindra's achievement "should inspire confidence among all Indian sportspersons that they can achieve the pinnacle of any sports at the international level and be also inspiration for more of our youths to take up sports as a full-time career".

Vice-President Hamid Ansari said Bindra's "singular achievement is an inspiration for all Indian sportspersons and has made the country proud."

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the shooter has "done the nation proud through his spectacular achievement which I hope will inspire you and other sportspersons of our country to achieve the highest levels of excellence in the international arena".

Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said Bindra has done the country proud.

Sports Minister M S Gill said Bindra's medal "is really the beginning for India and I am sure in future there will be many more to come."

The Sports Minister was particularly impressed with the way Bindra came back to win the gold after a spine injury.

"To come back after injury and do what he has done is amazing. He was calm and composed throughout the event. That's what you need in such a back stage," he said.

Former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, praising Bindra's feat in the Beijing Olympics, said, "he has made the country proud with his achievement. I hope Indian players will clinch more medals from the Games."

BJP President Rajnath Singh termed Bindra's win as "golden chapter in the history of Indian sports" and said, "it signifies the potential of our youth in shaping India's future."

Senior BJP leader L K Advani said, "Bindra has done India proud by his sterling achievement and I hope that our players will bring more medals from Beijing."

Praise continues to rain on Abhinav Bindra, who clinched a gold medal this morning in 10m Air Rifle event, from across the political fraternity.

"Let Bindra's victory in 10m Air Rifle event be an eye-opener for other Indian participants to perform better and win laurels for the country," Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said.

AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa congratulated Bindra and said, "You have done the nation proud by clinching India's first ever individual Olympic gold."

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy expressed "hearty congratulations" and said "the nation is proud of you (Bindra). I convey the greetings of the government and the people of Andhra Pradesh for your great achievement."