Sakshi Malik arrives to rousing reception, felicitated by Haryana government

New Delhi: Indian wrestler Sakshi Malik arrived at the Indira Gandhi International Airport today to a rousing reception. The 23-year-old was welcomed by several dignitaries post which she left for her home state Haryana.

Here's how she was felicitated:

10: 40 am - Sakshi was handed over a cheque of Rs 2.5 crore by the chief minister as well.

Bahadurgarh (Haryana): CM ML Khattar presents reward cheque of Rs 2.5 cr to Olympics bronze medalist #SakshiMalik pic.twitter.com/Gpea8qM1pP — ANI (@ANI_news) August 24, 2016

10: 05 am - Not to forget, Sakshi's medal is a special one for the entire country as she clinched it at a time when it looked like Indian athletes might return home empty-handed.

09: 52 am - Here is what Sakshi tweeted from her flight yesterday.

Aa rahi hoon main, apne des apne ghar!  pic.twitter.com/tCd5ZSsRLi — Sakshi Malik (@SakshiMalik) August 23, 2016

09: 50 am - "Thanks to all for giving me this grand welcome. Continue supporting me like this so I can win more medals for the country," Sakshi Malik said.

09: 40 am - After being welcomed at the airport in Delhi, Sakshi reached Haryana where she was felicitated by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

Olympics bronze medalist #SakshiMalik receives warm welcome upon her arrival in Bahadurgarh (Haryana) pic.twitter.com/3NjPxHMxiq — ANI (@ANI_news) August 24, 2016

Sakshi arrived at the airport at around 3:50 a.m., where as many as five ministers of the BJP Government in Haryana were present to receive her.

Haryana’s Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Anil Vij, who was present in Rio as head of state delegation, accompanied the 23-year-old wrestler on her return flight.

Speaking to reporters, Sakshi said that she was delighted after winning India's first medal at the quadrennial event.

The entire Haryana is waiting for their local supertar's arrival after the wrestler bagged a historic bronze medal at Rio Olympics 2016.

Sakshi, who became the first Indian woman wrestler to clinch a medal at Rio Olympics 2016, is all set to arrive in the state today where she will be honoured by the state governement.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who was earlier scheduled to honour her at her village, will felicitate her at Bahadurgarh at Jhajjar district. Haryana government had earlier announced a cash reward of Rs 2.5 crore for her.

A grand felicitation ceremony has also been planned for her.

The people of her state are extremely proud about her feat and have said that her performance will motivate other girls to take up sports as a career.