Punjab Govt hands over Rs one crore to Abhinav Bindra

Chandigarh, Aug 18 (UNI) The Punjab Government today handed over a Rs one crore cheque to Beijing shooting star, Abhinav Bindra who had won the gold medal in the 10-metre air rifle event at the Olympics The cheque was handed over to Abhinav by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at a function at the Taj hotel here this evening.

Present on the occasion were Abhinav's father, Dr A S Bindra and his mother, Babli Bindra and a number of other relatives and well wishers of the shooter.

Punjab's Director Sports and former hockey Olympian, Pargat Singh was also present onthe occasion alongwith state Sports Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike and a number of other officials of the state government.

The government had announced the Rs one crore award after Abhinav won the gold medal at Beijing, the first gold for the country in an individual event in the Olympics.

In his brief speech, Mr Badal hailed the achievement of the young shooter.

UNI HS AB BD2120