India's Golden Boy Bindra returns home to a rousing welcome

New Delhi: Bands played and crowds cheered as shooter Abhinav Bindra, who won India its first ever individual Olympic gold, returned to the country to a hero's welcome here on Thursday.

"As long as the sun and moon remain, the nation will remember your name," chanted the crowd at New Delhi airport.

Bindra was received at the airport by his father AS Bindra, mother Babli and sister Divya Bindra Kapur along with a large number of sports buffs and officials of Indian Olympic Association and National Rifle Association of India.

The 25-year-old took gold in the men's 10m Air Rifle event, capping at least a decade of training, mostly funded by his wealthy business family from Punjab.

"I am very happy to have done the nation proud," Bindra told reporters.

"The gold medal was the dream of my life and I am happy to achieve it."