ARCHER Ojas Pravin Archana Deotale’s favourite dishes Sewai-Kheer, Halwa Poori and Kadhi will be awaiting the Asian Games triple Gold medal winner, when he returns to Nagpur in a few days. “He loves Sewai-Kheer, Halwa Poori and Kadhi like anything. He has asked me to prepare his favourite dishes when he returns home. I will be preparing his favourite dishes with added flavour of ‘extra-love’ to it,” said Archana Deotale, the proud mother of India’s pride Ojas. On Saturday morning, Ojas won the Gold medal, his third of the Games, defeating compatriot Abhishek Verma in the men’s compound individual event. In a battle between the master and apprentice, it was the 21-year-old reigning world champion Ojas, who emerged winner by two points. Ojas, who became the first Indian male World Champion title at Berlin in August early this year, dropped just one-point to overwhelm the 34-year-old 149-147. “Abhishek Sir was under pressure, while Ojas looked calm in the final,” said his father Pravin. Ojas’ mother Archana said, her son was at a loss of words when we called him. “He did not speak a word. He was just smiling and crying. Those were tears of joy. I think it is yet to sink in for Ojas,” Archana narrated about her first video interaction with Ojas over phone on Saturday morning. Their ancestral home in Ganesh Nagar wore a festive look. There was a huge celebration.

 

All the family members and neighbours gathered at their home and witnessed Ojas rewrite history on Saturday morning. They applauded after each arrow that pierced the butt (the target board) giving him 10 points. The Gold medal victory was celebrated with drumbeats and dance in Ganesh Nagar which continued till noon. Sweets were distributed as Deotales celebrated the occasion. It was a pre-diwali celebration. Just like every night during the Games, the Deotales had a conference call with Ojas on the eve of the final. They talked about the last Gold medal at stake. The talk then diverted towards elder brother Jatin’s birthday (October 8). The elder brother asked Ojas to give him the third Gold medal as a birthday gift. Ojas, assured that it will be ‘delivered’. ‘Bhaiyya, gold medal gift me pakka dunga.’ (Brother, I will definitely give you the third gold medal as gift, promise). Nagpur’s only Asian Games Gold medal winning archer kept his promise and ‘delivered’ the gift from China. Ojas was talking so confidently early in the night. He sounded calm and was tension-free. His reply to his brother about gifting gold medal came even before Jatin could complete his sentence. Her son has made the country proud and Archana feels that it’s now time for the government to take care of the Gold medal winner. “I think the Maharashtra Government should ensure medal winners from our State get decent government jobs. Look at Punjab, Haryana and a few other States. The medal winners are getting direct government jobs and a good post.

 

That helps a sportsperson in concentrating only on his performance and don’t have to think too much about their future. If the future is secured, the sportspersons will deliver handsomely. Our city has two big leaders in Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. They can do it. “Yesterday, DCM Fadnavis called us and congratulated us for Ojas’ medal winning feat. He assured to help the sportspersons. I hope something positive will come out after Ojas’ triple Gold medal effort,” she said. The Deotales feel that Nagpurians would come out in large numbers to celebrate Ojas’ homecoming. “Last time when he became World Champion, there was hardly anybody to welcome and celebrate at the airport. Ojas will be landing in Delhi the day after tomorrow and then will have a reception with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In all probability, he will return to Nagpur on October 11. Hope Nagpurians give him a grand welcome,” Archana signed off.