Vinesh Phogat’s Village Celebrates: 750 kg of Ladoos, Rs 100 from Chowkidar, and Traditional Pagdi and Sword

It’s been a long day for 10-year-old Anshaj Kumar, a resident of Balali, Vinesh Phogat’s village in Haryana’s Charkhi Dadri district, which is about a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Delhi. Around 10 am, as Phogat’s flight from Paris landed in the capital, Anshaj was entrusted with guarding the temple premises, where 750 kg of desi ghee laddoos were awaiting distribution.

Phogat’s arrival was delayed until past midnight, over 12 hours after she had left Delhi airport. Numerous stops marked her journey as villages along the route lined up to honour her, making it impossible for her to pass by without acknowledgement.

Throughout the day, Anshaj sat in a corner of the stage set up for Phogat’s celebration, diligently maintaining a single-line notebook recording the voluntary donations from villagers. The donations were meant to support their "chhori," who narrowly missed winning a medal at the Paris Olympics. As the laddoo supply dwindled, the figures in Anshaj’s accounting book steadily grew.

The list of contributors is truly heartwarming, reflecting the deep affection the villagers have for the girl they watched grow into a champion wrestler. Though the crumpled notes in Anshaj’s drawer lack the lustre of gold or silver, they symbolise the unwavering support Phogat has from her community. Sanjay Chowkidar, the village watchman, donated Rs 100. Raghbir Master gave Rs 500, while Shalu Badal presented a garland of notes totalling Rs 5,100. Kunwar Bir Singh offered a traditional pagdi and sword, and Natu (Vikrant Fauji) of the Fauji Bhaichara group contributed Rs 21,000, among other things.

Late into the night, donors keep arriving as the discussion about the Phogat entourage’s GPS location continues. Anshaj, smiling, diligently records their names and counts and recounts the donations. Sanjay Chowkidar, the village watchman, is initially hesitant to speak but opens up after some encouragement. His memories of Phogat go back to when she was just five years old. “She was like my daughter,” he says, sharing his story. “During my night rounds, she often said, ‘Uncle, you are so brave.’ Look at her now—she’s the bravest and strongest girl in the world.” Overcoming his emotions, he doesn’t bother wiping away his tears as he sits next to the stage.

“Vinesh has made our entire clan and the Khaps proud. In addition to honours like the pagdi (turban), we are also showering her with laddoos and coins. It doesn’t matter that she missed the medal by a few grams. Her worth surpasses any weight, and these laddoos and coins will be given to the poor,” says Balwant, the head of the Phogat Khap.

Meanwhile, the younger residents of Balali are eager for the DJ to play a new Haryanvi song inspired by Phogat. Titled “Sherni,” the song's lyrics celebrate her achievements: “Welcome the lioness, the girl who has raised our name in Paris, defeated champions four times, and yet still faces deception.”