Car Nicobar, March 25: The long wait at the helipad of car Nicobar by the parents, villagers, captains, students and officials turned up into smiles, when the day’s first helicopter from Port Blair landed. The International Star Cyclist Deborah became emotional, seeing her beloved ones and well wishers after such a long period. Her mother Smti Silvia and father Shri Herald could not control their feelings and their eyes got moist.

The grateful relatives and captains, of the different villages, showered their blessings on the pride of Car Nicobar. The Captain of the Tamaloo village and the grandfather of Deborah Shri Paul Benjamin felt very proud on the achievements of his granddaughter.

The Education Officer, teachers and the students of her Ex-school Kakana were all waiting since morning for her arrival.  She was accorded a hero’s welcome when she walked out of the campus, with children clapping, standing on both sides of the road.

The entire village was eager to see a glimpse of her, when her vehicle reached Kakana. She had breakfast with her family members, relatives and the officials of the Education Department, hosted by Shri Great Heart, the lone Engineer of the village. Later Deborah proceeded to head quarter to start-off the Torch Rally of the Nicobar District Sports meet, which was to be conducted by the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan for the students of 6-14 years of age. The Superintending Engineer Shri M.K. Varma lit the torch and handed it over to Deborah.

People waved their hands, standing on the road side, as Deborah leading the convoy passed through.

In the evening Deborah was the star attraction at the Inaugural function of the District Sports meet at the Bishop John Richardson Stadium. In his address the State Project Officer Dr. M. Ayyaraju said that Deborah has become the role model to the young students. He called upon the children to work hard and try to achieve their dreams like Deborah. Congratulating Deborah on her achievement, the Education Officer Shri Nathaniel said that she made the occasion historical with her presence. The young winners of the sporting events felt proud when they received the prizes from their role model Deborah. It was like a dream come true for them.

Later in the evening a grand felicitation program was arranged at her own village Kakana. Expressing their happiness over the achievements of Deborah the Chief Guest the Vice Chief Captain of Car Nicobar Shri Chamberlin Paul, the Air Commodore B.V. Upadhyay, the Ex Captain of Kakana Shri Saumel Edward Kuchart and Shri Great Heart wished her best of luck for her future endeavours.