Rio Olympics: Rohtak erupts in joy after local girl Sakshi Malik scripts history

Rohtak (Haryana): Rohtak on Thursday erupted in joy and celebrations after local girl Sakshi Malik made Haryana and the country proud by winning a Bronze medal in wrestling at the Rio Olympics. People from all walks of life including ministers, politicians, SAI officials made a beeline to Sakshi's house at Mokhra village in Rohtak district to congratulate the family for clinching a medal in the 58 kg category in the Olympics. "I have been receiving so many calls on my mobile phones for congratulatory messages ever since my daughter won the medal at Rio Olympic games," said Sudesh Malik, mother of Sakshi as the family was busy in distributing sweets to everyone who came to congratulate the wrestler's family. Sudesh, who has not slept for more than 20 hours till today morning, along with her husband and other family members were glued to the television to watch Sakshi's bout and they all erupted in joy when she won the match. All the family members could be seen hugging each other over the historic feat achieved by Sakshi. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar called up Sakshi's father Sukhbir Malik to congratulate the family for their daughter's historic feat. Haryana state minister Manish Grover personally visited Sakshi's house and presented a 'Gada' and sweet box to the family. A large number of media people flocked to the wrestler's house to interview the family as the 23-year-old Rohtak girl scripted history by winning a Bronze medal - the first by an Indian woman wrestler. The news of the Rohtak girl's medal winning feat will put the district on the world map even as few months back, Rohtak had remained the epicenter of violent Jat agitation. Several leaders including Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Sports minister Anil Vij, Finance Minister Captain Abhimanyu, former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda congratulated Sakshi for her historic feat. In his message, the Governor said that the whole country was proud of Sakshi for this achievement. "On this auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan, Sakshi has brought laurels to the country by bagging bronze in the 58-kg category of Women's Freestyle Wrestling," he said. Khattar said, "Sakshi Malik has done Haryana and the country proud by opening India's account in the medals tally in the Olympics at Rio in Brazil. I congratulate her and members of her family on her achievement. The way she came from behind to win Bronze at Rio shows her class, grit and determination." Sports Minister Anil Vij, who is leading a delegation at Rio Olympic Games, said  international wrestler Sakshi has made the state and country proud by winning the country its first medal at Rio. Vij also extended good wishes to Sakshi and her family members on behalf of the people of the state and country. Vij in a release said that the state government would honour Sakshi with cash award of Rs 2.5 crore as per its sports policy. He hoped that the other sportspersons of the state would also prove their mettle in coming events by winning medals. Before this historical event, Vij also met all athletes from the state and encouraged them to bring laurels to the state and the country by delivering sterling performances in their respective games. As a result of this, Haryana has bagged the first medal for the country in the Olympics, the release said. Former Haryana Chief Minister Hooda, who is also from Rohtak in his tweet said, "Congrats Sakshi on winning our 1^st medal in #Rio2016. Proud of u & everyone who fought hard even if they cudn't win." Finance Minister Captain Abhimanyu also tweeted, "Many congratulations. #SakshiMalik."