The Autobiography of Balbir Singh (Senior)
By Samuel Banerjee, Vikas Publishers, 1977
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Celebrations at Home |
At the offical function in Delhi, we played the Rest of India
XI. Present among the huge crowd was Rajendra Prasad and Nehru.
The train in which we travelled was literally mobbed by fans. People surged around our compartment and waited for our darshan. When we emerged from the train, they almost crushed us with bear hugs and shows of affection. We endured it all with a smile. |
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in India, our victorious team was received with endearing enthusiasm by our
countrymen. We were given a host of receptions at a number of towns.
At the offical function in Delhi, we played a match against Rest of India XI. Present among the huge crowd was President Rajendra Prasad and the ever cheerful Nehru.
The train in which we travelled was literally mobbed by enthusiastic hockey fans. People surged around our compartment and waited for our darshan. When we emerged from the train, they almost crushed us with bear hugs and shows of affection. We endured it all with a smile.
The four Punjab Police players - Dharam, Udham, Raghbir and I - were taken in open jeeps in a huge procession in Jalandhar. Thousands of people lined the streets and cheered us from treetops and housetops. We were showered with small gifts, baskets of fruit and sweets and garlands - these constituted the people's simple way of showing their gratefulness.
President Rajendra Prasad with the 1952 Olympic Team