RICH BOY MAKES GOOD

"On Aug. 11, Abhinav Bindra became the first Indian in history to win an individual gold medal at the Olympics, rallying late from fourth place to take the title in the 10-m air rifle. The shooting win came just days before his country's Aug. 15 national holiday and set off a frenzy back home. Bindra's picture was splashed across front pages; his medal ceremony played in a ceaseless TV loop. Even the English-language, state-run China Daily featured Bindra, a gesture of goodwill to the country's rival rising power. Unlike China, though, India has until recently shown a monumental indifference to Olympic sports. The well-manicured Bindra, 25, is now his country's most eligible bachelor. His mother has fielded several marriage offers. She wants a traditional housewife for her son, thank you. The new bride would join a very wealthy bunch: Bindra's father Apjit owns an agriculture, manufacturing and power conglomerate. After his mother Babli caught him tossing balloons off a maid's head--right on target--she hired a shooting coach, and his father built him an air-conditioned range in the backyard. His reward for winning gold: a $350,000 bonus from steel baron Lakshmi Mittal, who has sponsored some Indian athletes, and more than $550,000 from local government bodies and sports ministries. His gift from Dad: a hotel." (Time, 14 August)