City lad shows mettle at Special Olympics

HERO’S WELCOME Pallav Mehrotra bags gold medal in softball, Asha Jyoti school to felicitate him on August 8

City lad Pallav Mehrotra of Asha Jyoti School (for specially-abled children), who bagged a gold medal in softball at the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games held in Los Angeles recently, got a hero’s welcome on his return to Lucknow on Thursday.

As soon as the Shatabdi Express touched the platform at Charbagh railway station, Pallav’s fans started dancing to drum beats, showered him with flowers and distributed sweets amongst passengers.

Apart from his schoolmates, Pallav’s neighbours also reached the station to welcome him. The gold medallist was again accorded a grand welcome when he reached his home in LDA Colony on Kanpur road.

Pallav’s coach Aijaz Akhtar, who received him at New Delhi before coming to the state capital, appreciated his trainee’s performance.

“He was the lone sportsperson from UP in the softball team. His hard work and his never-say-die spirit won him the medal. I am sure Pallav is going to do wonders in the future,” said Akhtar.

He, however, confirmed that before his event, Pallav was given a new hearing aid as his old one was not working.

Pallav’s aunt Sangeeta Mehrotra, who went to Charbagh station to receive him, could not control her emotions when the boy alighted from the train. “I couldn’t believe that our boy has won a gold medal. It is a great honour for us,” she said.

She said Pallav’s victory would also set an example for other parents, who often raised doubt over the capabilities of their speciallyabled children.

Swati, principal of Asha Jyoti School, said Pallav would be felicitated during a function at the school on August 8.