New Delhi: Air India have rewarded Sakshi Malik with a two business class trips to anywhere in the world, as a mark of respect for the wrestler, who won the Bronze medal at the Rio Olympics earlier this week.
Malik had completed a remarkable comeback in the bronze medal match of the women’s 58kg freestyle category against Aisuluu Tynybekova of Kyrgyzstan. Sakshi was 5-0 down in the match, but bounced back strongly, winning the game 8-5 in the end.
The airline has announced a rather unique reward for the Haryana-based wrestler. In a letter addressed to Malik, Air India expressed how “proud” and “happy” they were, at her achievements.
After winning the bronze medal, Sakshi had said that her dream has been to be a sportsperson who could travel by air. Picking up on this childhood dream, Air India proceeded to name a unique reward for Malik.
“I recently read your statement ‘I wanted to become a sportsperson to travel in an aeroplane’ and was indeed touched by the same,” wrote Air India Chairman and Managing Director Ashwani Lohani, in a letter to Malik. (Photo: ANI Twitter)
The 23-year-old, who is employed by the Indian Railways, has already received a Rs 60 lakhs prize money from her employers for becoming the first Indian to bag a medal at Rio 2016.
The state government of Haryana has also announced a prize money of Rs2.5 crore for Malik for her achievement. Malik is also set to receive a further Rs1 crore, while her father Subir, who works as a conductor for Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), has been offered a promotion.
Sakshi is also set to get the Khel Ratna award, which is the highest decoration that an Indian sportsperson can receive, as she has won a medal at the Olympics. She is also set to be considered for the Arjuna Award, as per media reports.
