Grand welcome awaits Rio girl Sakshi at her village in Rohtak
BEFITTING HONOUR Hectic preparations are underway at Mokhra Khas
CHANDIGARH: A rousing welcome and grand celebrations are awaiting wrestler Sakshi Malik who will reach her hometown Rohtak on Wednesday, after winning a bronze medal in Rio Olympics.
The 23-year-old grappler is scheduled to land at Delhi airport at 3:50 am on Wednesday, and has several events slated in her honour on her way to Rohtak.
A government spokesperson said Sakshi will receive the welcome of a state guest in Haryana.
While some Union and state ministers are expected to receive her at the airport in Delhi, besides her family, Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar will felicitate her in Bahadurgarh at Huda sector 6 community centre with `2.5 crore reward.
Meanwhile, an excited Sakshi tweeted after boarding the flight: “aa rahi hun main..apne des apne gear! (I’m coming back to country..my home)”. She also tweeted a picture along with her breakfast: “A proper breakfast! How I have missed you.”
Back home, her family is all set to ensure she gorges on dishes that she savours. Special food items have been prepared for her in every village from where her procession will pass.
A government spokesperson said, “The sarpanches of almost all villages have requested that she stops over and eats some of dishes specially prepared for her. So it will take hours before she would reach Rohtak.”
The residents of Rohtak, who had been overjoyed and proud of Sakshi winning the medal, will get to see her take a round of the city in an open jeep. After a brief stopover in the town, she will leave for her native village Mokhra, where a grand celebration at the government school will be waiting for her.
A sarpanch in Mokhra said they would request the government to open a wrestling academy in the village after her name.
The celebrations are expected to be attended by leaders of various political parties.