Salman Khan showers gifts; Sachin Tendulkar simply dials up

Salman Khan (AP)

Published Wednesday, September 19, 2012

By Staff

Bollywood actor Salman Khan sets an example for the country's rich and famous film stars and sportsmen as he gears up to gift each Paralympic athlete Dh16,978.

(AP)

He will also gift Dh33,956 to silver medalist HN Girisha for bringing glory to India.

Girisha, who has impairment in his left leg, won silver in the high-jump event during the recently concluded Paralympic Games in London.

Salman Khan made this announcement via his Facebook page. He wrote: "As a gesture of appreciation for our Paralympic athletes, I would like to present each of the nine athletes Rs2.5 lakh (Dh16,978) and Rs5 lakh (Dh33,956) for the medalist, Girisha. They have done us proud."

He also requested others to contribute and extend their gratitude towards these athletes.

"To my dear friends on Facebook, if you would like to add a contribution, let me know. Will work out a way to send in your contributions," he continued on Facebook.

(AP)

Girisha won silver at the London Paralympics provided India with its lone medal at the event.

Girisha, who is supported by Samarthanam, a Bangalore-based NGO for the disabled since 2008, took part in a three week long pre-Games training camp at Basildon Sporting Village sponsored by the Government of India.

The 24-year-old from Karnataka, sailed over a height of 1.74m using scissors technique in the final of the event to finish second in the presence of an 80,000 capacity crowd.

In awe of Girisha's medal in the high-jump event, Salman recognised the effort he had put in to compete and win at the international level. With this gesture, he also acknowledged the other participants who did not win any medal, but did put in a massive effort.

(GETTY)

In a similar noble gesture, badminton player and Olympic bronze medal winner Saina Nehwal has gifted a sum of Dh13,533 to Girisha.

Highly impressed by Girisha's grit and valour, the badminton champion has decided to honour him monetarily from her own personal earnings.

However, it is ironic that the cricket legend, Sachin Tendulkar, who also happens to be among the world's richest sportspersons, only managed to make a phone call to congratulate Girisha on his achievement.

Tendulkar described Girisha Hosanagara Nagarajegowda as an "inspiration to all of us" and wished the high-jumper the very best for all his future endeavours. Priceless!

Even die-hard Sachin fans would have been happier if he had contributed a little monetarily.

A man of Sachin's stature can achieve a lot with just one appeal to his followers. After all, are these world famous sportsperson not supposed to lead from the front?

Nonetheless, where Sachin has failed to score, Salman and Saina have won the game, set and the match for India.

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