A Silver Medal in Olympics  and  a back to back performance has entitled Wrestler Sushil Kumar for  Prizes worth several crores from various state Governments who had earlier never cared to take a look upon him.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar Sunday congratulated wrestler Sushil Kumar for winning a silver medal at the London Olympics and hoped that his feat will motivate a new generation of sportspersons.
In his congratulatory message, the prime minister said: “By improving his performance during the London Olympics over the Beijing Games, he (Sushil Kumar) has proved his determination and sheer tenacity.”
In her message, Meira Kumar said Sushil Kumar’s achievement reflected his “hard work, determination, and focus” and hoped it will inspire youth to excel in sports.
Indian Railways, where he also works has announced a cash award of Rs.75 lakh for the medal winner. Â Railway Minister Mukul Roy said that Sushil Kumar had brought glory to the nation and had done the railways proud. He announced an award of Rs.75 lakh for the wrestler who works in the Northern Railway.
Despite the wrestler being from Delhi’s Najafgarh, the Haryana government Sunday announced a cash reward of Rs 1.5 crore along with land for Sushil Kumar for winning a silver medal in the London Olympics.
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda congratulated Sushil for his feat and announced to give him a reward of Rs 1.5 crore in cash and a piece of land to set up a wrestling academy in Sonipat district.
Sushil Kumar has done the nation proud, he said. Sushil Kumar Sunday became the first individual athlete from India to win back-to-back medals at the Olympics after settling for silver in the men’s 66kg freestyle event, ending the country’s campaign in London Games with the best ever haul of six medals.
The silver here meant an improvement from his Beijing show four years ago when his bronze medal increased wrestling’s popularity in India by leaps and bounds and overnight made him a star.
Yogeshwar Dutt, a wrestler from Haryana’s Sonipat district, had won a bronze medal in wrestling Saturday. The Haryana government announced a reward of Rs one crore for him  also for his achievement.