Barbil: Babulu Munda, silver medalist at the recently concluded Seventh World Wushu Championship held at Brazil, received a rousing welcome upon his arrival here in Barbil on Saturday.
Hundreds of fans including senior officials of Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL), students, government officials, players and local leaders welcomed the 13-year-old.
This is the first time that a boy from Barbil represented India at the international level and won a medal.
JSPL Barbil unit head, Suresha G. said, “We are extremely delighted that Babulu has brought laurels not only for Barbil but for Odisha by clinching the silver. In the coming days, JSPL Foundation will continue to extend support to nurture tribal sports talent in the region to shine at national and global forums.”
Munda was taken in a procession in Barbil town after a grand felicitation programme at the railway station, amidst the blowing of conch shells and traditional drum beats. Residents and passersby were seen showering flower petals on him.
Locals performed puja and did arti by smearing vermilion on his forehead. They had arranged a small puja at Bileipada Square before Babulu reached his primary school where a welcome ceremony was organised.
The teachers at the school where Babulu started his primary education lauded his efforts and blessed him.
Now, Babulu is a Class-VIII student at the Government Nodal UP School under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.
JSPL Chairman Naveen Jindal and Co-Chairperson of JSPL Foundation Shallu Jindal have congratulated Babulu Munda for the glory he brought to Odisha and India.
Among others, Barbil Tehsildar Khirod Behera, Joda BDO Arun Mallick, Barbil Municipality Chairman Dillip Mishra, coach Pankaj Kumar Mohanta, Sarpanch Mangal Munda and members of Barbil Youth Club were present.
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