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Karnam Malleshwari Tyagi
Malleshwari honoured by Maharashtra government
 Close
on the heels of states like Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, the
Maharashtra government felicitated iron woman Karnam Malleshwari
Tyagi for her tryst with destiny which culminated in a bronze
medal in the 69-kg weightlifting competition at the Sydney Olympics.
Dr. P C Alexander presented a cheque of Rs 25 lakhs on the behalf
of the state government at a function organised at Nehru Center,
Worli on Thursday, November 9. Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh,
Sports Minister Ramkrishna More, and State Minister for Sports and
Education Anil Deshmukh were among the other dignitaries who were
present on the occasion.
 The
Maharashtra government also instituted the Shiv Chatrapati sports
awards for the year 1997-98, which were distributed to 50 athletes
on the occasion. Anjali Vedpathak, India's air-rifle shooter
who participated in the Olympics, was also felicitated. Malleshwari
was awarded a total amount of Rs 51 lakhs, of which Rs 25 lakhs
were given to her in Mumbai. The balance amount of Rs 26 lakhs,
which was collected by way of donations from corporate bodies and
individual citizens, was presented to Malleshwari at a function
organised at Nagpur on Friday, November 10.
Powered by sheer strength of character and undeterred by the rumours
emanating from different quarters, the 25-year-old Malleshwari imprinted
her name in the record books as India's first woman athlete
to bag a medal at the Olympics. The Andhra Pradesh born Malleshwari
is married to Rajesh Tyagi from Haryana. Hubby Rajesh, who is himself
a national level weightlifter has been the guiding force behind
his wife's crowning glory.
Malleshwari, who is employed by Food Corporation of India, plans
to open weightlifting academies in Andhra Pradesh and Haryana. She
hopes that her success in the Olympics will encourage children to
take up weightlifting as a sport.
Speaking to Mumbaibest, Malleshwari said, “If you have
faith in God, self-confidence and the capacity to work hard, you
can achieve anything in life.” In the end, Malleshwari
expressed her gratitude to her Bulgarian coach Leonid Taranenko
for his able guidance. She also thanked the Maharashtra government
and the masses for their love and affection.
Author's Name : Wasim
Siddiqui
Photos by :Uma kadam
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