Dalhousie: Olympic medallist Varun Kumar Sharma felicitated

Our Correspondent

Dalhousie, September 13

Forest, Youth Services and Sports Minister Rakesh Pathania, Kangra Lok Sabha MP Kishan Kapoor, Bhattiyat MLA Vikram Jaryal, BJP’s district president DS Thakur, Deputy Commissioner DC Rana along with other officials and locals welcomed Indian hockey team Olympic medallist Varun Kumar Sharma on his arrival to his native Fati village near Dalhousie on Monday.

Pathania presented Varun a shawl, cap and a Chamba ‘thaal’ during a ceremony at the nearby Bathri gram panchayat. Varun’s mother Shakuntala Sharma and father Brahmanand Sharma were also honoured.

In his address, Pathania said during the proposed stay of the President in Shimla on September 17, Varun would be given an amount of Rs 1 crore and an appointment letter.

Congratulating Varun and the Indian hockey team, Pathania said the sports policy had been changed by the state government and would be implemented soon.

On the demand of people, Pathania directed the Forest Department to complete the construction of a road up to Varun’s native village within five months. Apart from this, he also announced a sum of Rs 21 lakh for various developmental works at his village and construction of a sports ground.

Meanwhile, Varun shared his experiences related to sports during the Olympic event. He expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and the state government for felicitating him.

MP Kishan Kapoor said the youth must take inspiration from Varun. He announced Rs 10 lakh for the construction of a community building in Varun’s village.

He said under the ‘Khelo India’ programme, importance was being given to the promotion of various sports.