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Tuesday, Aug 12, 2008
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Celebrations at a high pitch

Vrinda Sharma

— Photo: PTI

DOING PARENTS PROUD: Abhinav’s mother Babli and father A.S. Bindra celebrate their son’s fantastic feat.

CHANDIGARH: Celebrations broke out at A.S. Bindra’s farmhouse, about 15 km from here, when his son, Abhinav Bindra stood on the victory podium.

The sprawling Bindra farmhouse was swarmed by friends, family and media persons, as the proud parents, overwhelmed with joy, thanked people for the greetings.

“I always knew he would make it. I just couldn’t control my tears when I saw him. I am so proud of him and the way he received the medal, he was so composed but I cried so much. I could talk to him Four hours after his victory, he is very happy but as always he was calm,” said Babli Bindra.

“I have never been happier in my entire life. Abhinav has done the country proud,” said an excited A.S. Bindra.

“It has been a tale of sweat, extreme hard work. Abhinav bravely fought a career-threatening back injury. We put him through a commando-type of training which has given good result, before the training he could not even lift a rifle,” said A.S Bindra.

“We will be rushing to Delhi day after tomorrow to receive him when he returns on Thursday. But before that, we will go to the Golden Temple in Amritsar to pay obeisance for his success,” Babli Bindra said.

Abhinav’s parents had organised a special prayer meeting at the Sector 8 gurudwara here to seek blessings for their son, “All the prayers of his friends and well wishers have been answered,” said Abhinav’s aunt.

Abhinav’s childhood friend, Ranjit Bajaj said he screamed with joy when he saw Abhinav hit his best shot in the final — an outstanding 10.8. “He has beaten the entire world, this is bigger than the world cup,” he said.“My son worked very hard to achieve this feat; the last 14 years were like a vanvas for him. He used to practice shooting for seven hours each day,” A.S. Bindra said.

“Abhinav is a Singh and when a Singh sets his mind on a goal he achieves it, which makes him a king and Abhinav indeed is a king,” he added.

Being the son of a millionaire industrialist, Abhinav’s family spent a fortune on his training, providing him with an indoor shooting range in backyard and special training.

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