Rituraj Mohanty, fresh from his victory in popular reality show ‘India’s Raw Star’, was given a hero’s welcome when he reached Odisha on Sunday three full years after he had left the State to try his luck in Maximum City.
Fans and well-wishers had gathered in large numbers at the airport here to greet the singing sensation long before he emerged from the exit door. When he finally appeared, the fans fell over one another to receive him and shake hands with him.
Visibly relishing all the attention, Rituraj sported a broad smile and obliged everyone, including the waiting TV crews. He even on public and media demand sang a few lines from Teri Galiyaan.., the song that tilted the scales in his favour in the Raw Star finals.
“I am very happy. I have reached where I have with the blessings of lord Jagannath, the blessings of my parents and the love of the people of my State,” said Rituraj.
From the airport, he went straight to the Naveen Nivas where Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik greeted him with a bouquet. “I congratulate Rituraj Mohanty and wish all the very best for him in the future,” said Patnaik.
The scene was even more ecstatic when Rituraj reached his native village Mangalpur in the Nimapada area of Puri district. The entire village came out on the street to greet the son of the soil who made the nondescript village famous with his victory in the reality show.
Rituraj’s mother could scarcely conceal her glee as he drove triumphantly in an open vehicle. “The whole village, in fact the entire State, is proud of Rituraj. And as his mother, I am proud too,” she said.