Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat may not have won a medal at the Paris Olympics, but upon her return to India, she received a warm and heartfelt welcome from her fellow countrymen. The celebrations in her village highlighted the deep respect and admiration people have for her accomplishments. Vinesh had a special celebration for Raksha Bandhan this year, which has gone viral.

Celebrating Raksha Bandhan with a Special Gift

During the Raksha Bandhan festival, Vinesh Phogat shared a touching video from her hometown, Balali, where she celebrated the occasion with her brother. After she tied the traditional protective thread, known as ‘Rakhi,’ around her brother’s wrist, he surprised her with a bundle of ₹500 notes as a gift.

A Look Back at Their Journey

Vinesh revealed an interesting backstory regarding this gift. For many years, her brother would only give her ₹10 as a token amount. Last year, however, he gifted her a single ₹500 note. This year, he presented her with a substantial bundle of ₹500 notes, reflecting the growth in his earning potential. Vinesh revealed that her brother has worked hard throughout his life, and this gift symbolizes their bond and the support he has provided her over the years.

Vinesh Phogat received a bumper gift after tying Rakhi. pic.twitter.com/ZA7T9uZy3L

— Mohammad Wahid 🇮🇳 (@wahidlucknavi) August 19, 2024

A Hero’s Homecoming

Upon her return to India, Vinesh was welcomed with great enthusiasm. She landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, where her brother greeted her with joyful celebrations. This homecoming included a ceremony in their ancestral village of Balali, where Vinesh was honored with a specially crafted gold medal and recognition from the local Khap Panchayat.

Missing the Olympic Medal

Despite not losing a single match during the Paris Olympics, Vinesh Phogat faced disappointment as she was disqualified for exceeding the weight limit by just 100 grams. She appealed against this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but her request was rejected. Just before the ruling, Vinesh announced her retirement from the sport, calling it the biggest setback of her career. She expressed her uncertainty about how long it would take to recover from this emotional trauma, but she also stated that the love and support from the public have given her strength.