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Karunanidhi honours Santhi

Special Correspondent

Presents her with a cheque for Rs. 15 lakh, huge plasma television set

HEART-WARMING GESTURE: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi having a word with Asian Games silver medal-winner S. Shanthi, at the Secretariat in Chennai on Monday. Her parents are also in the picture. — Photo: V.Ganesan

CHENNAI: The silver medal winner in the Asian Games S. Santhi, who failed the gender verification test, was honoured along with three other sportspersons by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi here on Monday.

Unperturbed by reports that the Olympic Council of Asia had decided to withdraw the medal she had won in the women's 800 metres, Mr. Karunanidhi handed over a cheque for Rs.15 lakh and a huge plasma television set to Ms. Santhi, daughter of a brick kiln worker.

When Ms. Santhi, along with her parents, met him in his chamber on invitation, Mr. Karunanidhi asked her not to worry as long as she was true to her conscience. He also enquired about her performance in the Asian and the South Asian sports events in Korea and Sri Lanka.

In a lighter vein Mr. Karunanidhi asked her not to part with the reward. He also asked her if the television set would suit her house.

According to Minister for Sports and Environment T.P.M. Mohideen Khan, Ms. Santhi told Mr. Karunanidhi that her conscience was clear. She was not guilty and had, so far, not received any official communication from authorities about the result of the gender test.

Asked if the reward would be withdrawn if any official communication on the OCA's decision was received, Mr. Khan said the Government decided to present the prize on humanitarian grounds.

Among the three other successful sportspersons in Doha, Sasikiran Krishnan, who won the gold in chess, was handed over Rs. 20 lakh.

Anju Bobby George who bagged the silver in long jump was given Rs. 15 lakh and Sourav Ghosal, who got bronze in squash, was given Rs.10 lakh. They thanked the Chief Minister for the encouragement.

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