Chandigarh: Abhinav Bindra, who created history by winning India's first individual Olympic gold medal is back home in Chandigarh after two days of whirlwind visits with the President, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries in New Delhi.
The shooting star's homecoming was marked by festivities of flowers, Punjabi folk music and firecrackers.
He was awarded Rs 5 lakh by the Chandigarh administration on Friday.
Governor of Punjab and Chandigarh General S.F. Rodrigues (Retd.) handed a trophy and a cheque to Bindra's uncle Tej Bans Singh Jauhar at the Parade ground here during the country's Independence Day celebration.
"This year, the celebrations have a special significance. A committed sportsman from our city has made us proud by winning a gold medal in Beijing Olympics. I convey my sincere congratulations to him, his parents and to his coach," Rodrigues said.
"It is a great honour for the whole country that Abhinav has won the Olympics gold medal. He was also very excited and wanted to come here but could not come because of unavoidable circumstances," said Abhinav's uncle Jauhar.
Twenty-five-year old Bindra first participated in 2000 Sidney Olympics at the age of 18, then the youngest from India. He is also the youngest recipient of the Arjuna award (2000) and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award (2001).
"It will certainly encourage Abhinav and other sportspersons from the city to excel in their respective fields," Colonel J S Dhillon, Abhinav's coach who was also present at the Parade ground told agencies.
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