So the Major from 9 Grenadier battalion has done it for India, after all. And the whole nation gave a collective sigh of relief. Relief because while other shooters and wrestlers have miserably failed, apart from Tennis a medal from any other sport looks well neigh impossible. Now some may say that one medal out of some 1000 medals at stake is pathetic. I will look at the glass as half full. As they say in Hindi - Bhagtey Bhoot ki Langoti Bhali!
But first thing first. Heartiest congratulations and thanks to Rajywardhan 'Chilly' Rathore. Though many were tipped capable enough to bring the medal home but only one had the grit and determination to pull that off(till now). And of course the calm and firm head. Everyone else either panicked or weren't up to it, but this man was neither. He looked at the score only once and remained focused, despite a bad round. He always looked confident of his abilities. That's what army does to you. Finds capable ones among the lakhs, and moulds them into heroes. For them, no situation is too overwhelming.
Even a victory didn't sweep the Major of his feet. When asked if he has some message for the people of his country, he said he is not great enough give a message as he was still learning. When he will have something to share, he would do that gleefully. No wonder he has his head and feet firmly on shoulders and ground respectively. And of course the medal.
I think government should dismantle Indian Olypmpic Association and give Army the charge. Within eigth years, we will be regularly amongst the medals .
For once the Tricolour fluttered at Athens, if not the national anthem tuned. Perhaps destiny is waiting for Leander to be on central podium. There can be no more worthy player. On one side, we have a player who plays despite of a bleeding nose, while on other side we have a Malleshwari jisney nak hi katwadi