Prabhjot Singh

JABALPUR (TIP): Olympic gold medalist Alexi Singh Grewal has always been in news headlines. Now he has set a new precedent. He married Jabalpur-based Manjit Kaur, a Botanist, to become the first-ever Olympic gold medalist (individual) to get married on the Indian soil. Interestingly the marriage, which was kept a low profile affair,  took place on January 9, the day India celebrates Pravasi Bharatiya Divas – a day dedicated to People of Indian Origin. It was on this day that Father of the Indian nation, Mahatma Gandhi, returned home from South Africa.

The 57-year-old US Born, 1984 Olympic Games road race champion is an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI). His father, Jasjit Singh Grewal, came from India. The marriage was performed in accordance with Sikh traditions and rites at a simple ceremony in a Jabalpur Gurdwara in Central India where only family members, relatives and close friends were invited.

Alexi Singh Grewal is the first ever athlete of Indian origin to win an individual gold medal in Olympic Games. He won the tough road race (cycling) in Los Angeles Olympic Games. Twenty-four years later, the honor to win the first individual gold medal for India in Olympic Games went to Abhinav Bindra in the shooting. Abhinav won the gold in Beijing Olympic Games, 24 years after Alexi.

“I am happy to rediscover my roots,” says Alexi Grewal, who has come to India to make it his second home. He had first visited India 20 years ago. His father, Jasjit Singh Grewal, himself a cyclist, groomed all his three sons – Alexi (Olympic champion), Ranjit and Rishi.

 Ranjit and Rishi are into the mountain and national biking.

Alexi has strong roots in India. His grandfather, Bhagwant Singh Grewal, was Minister of Education at Patiala State. Jasjit Singh Grewal was born in Simla (now Shimla). Manjeet, one of the sisters of Jasjit Grewal, happened to be Miss Simla while his other sister, Mohanjeet, who moved to France, is a fashion designer and had the distinction of designing dresses for like of Jane Fonda and first lady of the US, wife of JF Kennedy. His third sister, Nirmaljeet, is settled in Delhi.

The family originally belongs to Patiala. Alexi Singh Grewal is keen to visit his ancestral homes in Patiala and also in Shimla.His great-grandfather was Commander in Chief of Rewa Royalty.Jasjit Singh Grewal married Martha Huber, a German, and settled in the US.

Talking of his marriage, Alexi says “we are two people from totally different cultures” and adds “we have found deep delights in each other’s souls.”

Manjit Grewal (nee Bhalla) is a research scholar and holds M.Sc. and M. Phil degrees. She is registered for Doctorate and worked as a scholar with the State Forest Research Institute. Her late father was a school teacher in Central Government. Later he taught Law at Jabalpur University. Though her father came from Amritsar and mother from Mohali, the family has now settled in Madhya Pradesh. She lives with her mother and brother.

Alexi is keen to work and train young Indian cyclists. He is toying with the idea of setting up a cycling academy also.

Soon after his arrival in India, he went on Nilgiri mission where he interacted with young and experienced cyclists.

Alexi and Manjit are now planning to visit Punjab and Kashmir. “I am keen to witness Rural Olympics at Kila Raipur. Rural games are something I look forward as I immerse myself in Indian culture.”

(Courtesy PTC News)