Abhinav Bindra

“He has been shooting since the age of five. I spotted his talent when I saw him shooting balloons, kept on our maid’s head, with an air gun”, he recalled.

Chandigarh, August 11

Surprise and ecstasy marked the instant reaction of the city on the unique achievement of the local lad, Abhinav Bindra.. His “bulls eye” in the 10-metre air rifle shooting finals at the Beijing Olympic fulfilled the dreams of the nation of a billion but for Chandigarhians it was a special moment that they’ll never forget.

While people were expecting Abhinav to do well, no one had perhaps thought that he would strike a gold and create history. But when the news came in, the spontaneous reaction was of boundless joy coupled with the proud feeling of being an Indian.

“We are on the top of the world,” said Abhinav’s parents, Babli and Dr A S Bindra amidst beating of dhols and bhagra at their farmhouse on the Zirakpur-Patiala road. “My son has proved that Singh is Kinng,” said an elated Dr Bindra who credited Abhinav’s success to his sheer hard work and dedication.

“He has been shooting since the age of five. I spotted his talent when I saw him shooting balloons, kept on our maid’s head, with an air gun”, he recalled.

The Bindra farm was virtually taken over by media personnel this morning. OB vans stationed outside the house and photographers flashing cameras and ‘bite’ hungry correspondents vying with each other to get their ‘breaking quote” surrounded Dr Bindra and his wife. And obviously he had not complaints and he obliged everyone even if it meant giving a retake.

Perhaps the most touching appreciation came from none other than Olympian, Milkha Singh, who said, “my dream has been fulfilled”. In an emotional reaction he said, “I had always wished to see India winning a gold in an individual event before my death and Abhinav has done it”.

While celebrations - beating of dhols and bhangra- began at the Bindra farm as soon as the news came in, Abhinav’s school, St Stephens, in Sector 45 also witnessed an outburst of emotion as students came out of their classes. With the national flag in their hands, the students hailed Abhinav’s victory. School Principal, Harold Carver, said, “my prediction made 11 years ago at the school assembly has come true”. He said as a mark of honour to Abhinav the school will remain closed on Thursday.

The general reaction of the public was no different. Radhika a young girl in sector 17 said, “I am proud to be an Indian today. Abhinav has proved that this nation of billion is on the rise”. The ecstasy among the youngsters was also visible in Sector 10 where girls, with their faces painted in tri-colours, gathered with Abhinav’s photo. “It’s the youth power,” they said.

(Extracted from: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080812/main2.htm)