NEW DELHI, Aug 14: Huge crowds beat drums and sang to welcome India’s first ever individual Olympic gold medallist, shooter Abhinav Bindra, on his triumphant return home on Thursday from the Beijing Games.

“As long as the sun and moon remain, the nation will remember your name,” chanted the crowd at New Delhi’s international airport as a smiling but composed Bindra emerged to dozens of waiting television vans.

“A very happy independence day,” Bindra told the thronging mass a day ahead of independence celebrations, showing off the medal he won on Monday.

The 25-year-old Bindra took gold in the men’s 10m Air Rifle event, capping at least a decade of training, mostly funded by his wealthy business family from northern Punjab state.

“I am very happy to have done the nation proud,” Bindra told reporters. “The gold medal was the dream of my life and I am happy to achieve it.”

His gold also marked a long-awaited dream for India, which has watched for years as neighbour and Asian rival China has racked up medals at Olympic competitions for which Indian athletes have rarely even qualified.

There are hopes it could even drag India’s one-billion population away from cricket for a change, and lead to more medals at future Games.

Politicians lined up to congratulate Bindra on his return, including President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

“I feel extremely overwhelmed. I’m happy that I’ve done it,” said Bindra after a breakfast of his favourite dishes with Patil.

Funding for sports is still scarce in India and facilities are often old and dilapidated.

Most sports commentators noted Bindra’s win could not have come without private assistance — steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal’s Olympic Trust helped Bindra out when his supply of ammunition dried up due to government controls.

“It means a lot to the country,” Mittal told NDTV news channel hailing Bindra’s achievement. “We are very proud of it.”

Bindra’s parents, meanwhile, who met him at the airport with hugs and kisses, now have their eyes on a less lofty prize for the sportsman who his mother quickly dubbed India’s “most eligible bachelor” — getting him married.—AFP