Celebrations back home:Abhinav Bindra's Home

Shooter Abhinav Bindra's father AS Bindra along with his wife Babli Bindra after hearing of their son's won gold medal at the Beijing Olympics. They celebrate with their relatives and near dears at Bindra farms house at Zirakpur near Chandigarh on August 11, 2008.


There was magic at St Stephen’s School, Sector 45, on Monday. "All of you ask for whatever you wish, you will get your wish fulfilled," said Gokul Chand, the magician at the school where Abhinav spent five years from 1995-2000 as a student.

St Stephen's, at sec 45, breaks into delirious joyHe couldn't be blamed for being so overexcited because Abhinav had just won a gold at the Olympics. "Special attention, so listen carefully, Abhinav has gold," announced Harlod Carvo, the principal. The "uninhibited self-expression" saw students congratulating and hugging each other and. The teachers, too, chose raucousness over somberness. Balveen Cheema, who taught him English through 10th and 11th , said: "He often used to get me a rose from his father's garden." She added: "He, perhaps, was destined for greatness."


Abhinav's alma mater at Doon Valley proud and happy
With Abhinav Bindra winning the first-ever individual Olympics gold medal for India, his school in the Doon Valley erupted in joy. Abhinav is an alumnus of the Sylvan Riverdale School. As soon as the news reached, students and teachers, where he studied from lower kindergarten to Class V, joined in the celebrations. "We expect him to visit the school soon.

He had promised me two months ago that he would come here if he won gold at the Olympics," said Surjeet Ahluwalia, school director. Abhinav had visited Riverdale two years ago after winning gold in the World Shooting Championship.

"Abhinav's mother called me from Chandigarh. His parents made him so disciplined. Abhinav is close to Riverdale teachers and has always kept in touch with them," said Ahluwalia.