Rousing reception for medallists

I wish I had gold: Mary
Olympic bronze medallist MC Mary Kom was welcomed back to India with hordes of fans gathered at the IGI Airport on Tuesday morning. Family and fans eagerly waited for the star boxer to arrive holding garlands and life-size posters. There were young girls dressed in traditional Manipuri outfits and a group of musicians singing Manipuri songs as she walked out.
Holding the medal in her hand, Mary said, “Bahut acha lag raha hai.I’m happy winning the medal but I wish I could have won the Gold. I’m very happy to be back home. Bahut tired hoon, lekin itne logon ko dekhkar, I’ve forgotten my tiredness. I didn’t expect so many people at the airport early morning. I give all the credit to the people of India who have supported me and helped me win this medal. Their wishes and prayers mean a lot to me.”
Looking at her kids, she added, “I’m happy to see my kids. They were so excited to see me at the airport. Mujhe dekhkar dono bachche bhaagkar mere paas aaye. I lifted them in my arms and hugged them for a long time. They didnt want to leave me.”
Mary sported Tricolour and a Union Jack nail art on her fingernails. When we asked about it, she said, “I got it done at the games village. I just loved it.”
Sonepat reception for Yogeshwar
As fans carried the two of them on their shoulders they cheered, ‘Sushil aur Yogeshwar ki jai ho’. Mukesh, Yogeshwar Dutt’s brother, who was part of the crowd, said, “More than 500 people have come from Sonepat (Yogeshwar’s hometown) to welcome him. They all have come in about 50 cars and two buses to Delhi to receive Yogeshwar. There is a grand reception being hosted for Yogeshwar at the village, isliye hum airport se seedhay Sonepat ja rahe hain.”
Yogeshwar arrived with a bruised eye and yet he looked elated, given the welcome he received. He said, “Mujhe ummeed nahi thi ki mere gaon se itne saare log aayenge mujhe lene ke liye. Bas wait kar raha hoon, kab ghar ja kar main thoda sa aaram kar saku. Sabse badi baat hai ki logon ka vishwaas aur pyaar tha jiske wajah se main yeh medal jeet paaya hoon.”
Piyali Dasgupta
Hamare Gaon mein shaadi ka mahaul lag raha hai: Sushil’s uncle
Wrestlers Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt’s arrival at the Delhi airport on Monday night saw several hundred wrestlers gathered outside gate number five and six with garlands, bouquets and sweets. Holding huge posters of the two, fans and family members were seen merrily dancing to the beats of a dhol .
Surinder Singh, Sushil’s uncle, told us, “Kam-se-kam hazaar se zyada log aaye hain gaon se Sushil ko welcome karne ke liye. Gaon mein aisa mahaul lag raha ki jaise kisi ki shaddhi ho rahi ho. Uske swagat ke liye humne 66kg ka garland khaas banwaya hai Azadpur market se. Sushil ki manpasand mithai, boondi ke ladoo hain aur who bhi hum thali mein sajakar laye hain.”
Rajinder Kumar, another one of Sushil’s uncles, said, “Ab Sushil Palam mein ek mandir hai, wahan jaayenga, uske baad Sai Baba ke mandir darshan karega, aur phir aakhir mein Baprola – jo humara gaon hai – waha ke mandir main jayega.” Piyali Dasgupta
WE’ve Done OUR BIT FOR the country
I have dreamt of becoming an Olympic champion since I was nine. I am proud of myself today, because I did what I said I would. I started crying on the podium thinking of all the years of hard work that my coach – Gopi Sir, my parents and I put in to make my country proud. I hope to get many more medals for my country and keep making every Indian proud. It is a to dream to win the gold, but I am happy that at least I have a bronze and I’m the first Indian to win a badminton Olympic medal
– Saina Nehwal, Olympic bronze medallist