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An Indian son rises in olympics
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On the outskirts of Chandigarh, on the road that runs to Patiala, you can't miss the Bindra farm in Kishanpur village. Security men and trained dogs guard the lush-green 30 acre estate of Abhinav Bindra, India's first Olympics individual gold medallist.

The palatial farm house, with seven bedrooms, is visible only after you drive further through the estate.It looks like a dream world; nothing here matches with the real world of India. The opulence of the house, set deep within a large manicured garden, its magnificent facade, luxurious fittings and object d'art collected from all over the world; European paintings facing the visitor from every corner of the house, the well-stocked bar, heath-spa, the Olympic standard shooting range, the elegant bedroom of Abhinav and some dozen servants who keep moving in and out of the kitchen -- all amid the divine Guru Granth Sahib in one silent corner of the house -- make Abhinav's home the stuff of fairy tale. The warmth of Abhinav's parents and his extended family greets everybody who visits the house to offer congratulations following their son's gold medal-winning feat in the 10-metre air rifle competition at the Olympics in BeijingThe parents, it seems, are overwhelmed by "God's grace", but not at all surprised about their son's success in Beijing. The family, including her daughter Divya and her sister-in-law Dolly Lamba, "were waiting for this day to happen since the last 14 years".

Divya, a fashion designer, is married into the wealthy Kapoor family of New Delhi which manufactures Atlas Cycles.

Apjit Bindra's sister Dolly says, "I am the favourite of my brother and Abhinav is my favourite! Both Abhinav and Divya love to hear bed-time stories from me. Our family members are very close to each other."

Pointing out that Abhinav doesn't have many traits of his father, she says, "He has got the softness and patience from his mother." Abhinav maintains a gruelling schedule. Every morning he attends his own private health club, which is on their estate. Then, after breakfast, he starts his shooting practice, which goes on till lunch. After a little rest in the afternoon, he resumes practice.t is far too apparent that Abhinav's mother is the soul of the Bindra home. Her family migrated during partition from Gujranwala, Pakistan. Her great, great grandfather was the legendary Sikh warrior Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa, who, as the Commander-In-Chief, led the army of Sikh Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
Abhinav belongs to the fifth generation of Sardar Hari Singh. Some British historians have regarded Nalwa as the greatest warrior of all time because he was a statesman combatant. He won Multan, Kashmir and Peshawar for Ranjit Singh. His victory brought him international fame and, in the local folklore, drew comparison with Napoleon.

Ranjit Singh awarded him Gujranwala for his stupendous services. Some historians have estimated that, 'had he lived longer and had the resources and artillery of the British, he would have conquered most of Asia and Europe'.
Abhinav's Olympic gold medal has come after 14 years of hard work.
Abhinav's father adds, "Our road to success was not smooth. Abhinav had a back injury. He could not play for two years after the Athens Olympics. After losing the last Olympics in Athens, he got quite depressed. He was in a shell.

"The medal had slipped out of our hands due to technical reasons in spite of him breaking the Olympic record. We went to the best physiotherapist in Germany and got him treated."

He adds, "My son doesn't like certain businesses. We are a representative of the world's top rifle-making company, Walther. I am in agro-business, and also in meat processing, but he doesn't like many of my businesses. He likes hotels, rifles and computer business."
Everyone present in the Bindra home is quick to point out that the Indian government, Sports Ministry and Indian Olympic Association had no role in Abhinav's success.

"The IOA has no role in Abhinav's achievement," declared the proud father.

Asked whether he spent lakhs of rupees to get the medal, he shot back: "Not lakhs; we spent crores to win the gold medal."
He added, "In 1997 we bought a rifle for $1500. Then his game advanced; he won many tournaments, so he needed more weapons. Then he needed custom-built weapons. A professional rifle costs Rs 2 lakh and some even cost Rs 5 to 6 lakh."

He emphasised, "Paise se hi kam hota hai. Paisa to chahiye [All his can be achieved only with money. Money is required]. If you want a coach, weapon, equipment, then you need money. If you want to go abroad you can't fly, na? You need money to travel. His traveling and hotel bills run into lakhs of rupees. We have given all types of training -- mental, physical and pressure-building -- to Abhinav. Two months back, he got training to keep up his self-confidence.'

"Abhinav has not come home since last the two months. He was attending training classes in Germany and getting advice in confidence-building."

Informing that Abhinav had two coaches -- Gabriele Buhlmann and Heinz Renkleimier - and a physiotherapist from South Africa to help him, he called upon the government to nurture talent in country.

"'When talent is found, irrespective of background or sportsmen's financial capability, the government must nurse the talent and support it all the way through. That's what I did," he said.

Abhinav's mother urged all mothers to encourage their children in the endeavours.

"I would like to tell mothers of India: 'encourage whatever your child wants to do. Let him have focus. And never ever pressurise your child to achieve success. His hard work and passion will get him success. Please, don't pressurise your children. You should become the emotional support'."







August 14, 2008 | 2:52 AM Comments  0 comments

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