<p>Electricity is yet to reach many houses in Chettikkad village in Kasargod where Sharmi's parents Ulahannan and Mary migrated to years ago from central Kerala.<br /><br />They walked a kilometre to a friend’s house to watch their daughter’s gold medal-winning feat on television.<br /><br />But after Sharmi’s gold medal at the Asiad, the authorities decided to address the issue in earnest.<br /><br />In a rare move, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) laid 16 poles overnight for carrying the aerial power cables to the golden girl's house. All the houses that the electric line passed through on the way also benefited from the glitter of Sharmi’s medal.<br /><br />Sharmi’s parents are farmers while she is pursuing her post-graduation in Malayalam at the Maharani Sethu Parvathi Bayi NSS College for Women at Neeramankara here .<br />Apparently, the news of her feat was enough to shake Electricity Minister A K Balan and he ordered immediate steps to bring electricity to Sharmi’s home. <br /><br />Village to be renamed ‘Sharmi’.<br /><br />“I have also ordered to provide power connection to 65 more households in the village and the village will now be known after Sharmi. This is the state's gift to her,” said Balan here.<br /><br />“This is a proud moment for me also as a minister. I will visit her home during my next trip to that area,” he said. <br /><br />Sharmi, who was in the city along with her parents for a reception at the college here on Tuesday, thanked the minister profusely for his action. <br /><br />Earlier, the state government had announced a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh each to the four Asian Games gold winners from the state, Rs 7.5 lakh to the silver medalists and Rs 5 lakh to the bronze medallists.</p>
<p>Electricity is yet to reach many houses in Chettikkad village in Kasargod where Sharmi's parents Ulahannan and Mary migrated to years ago from central Kerala.<br /><br />They walked a kilometre to a friend’s house to watch their daughter’s gold medal-winning feat on television.<br /><br />But after Sharmi’s gold medal at the Asiad, the authorities decided to address the issue in earnest.<br /><br />In a rare move, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) laid 16 poles overnight for carrying the aerial power cables to the golden girl's house. All the houses that the electric line passed through on the way also benefited from the glitter of Sharmi’s medal.<br /><br />Sharmi’s parents are farmers while she is pursuing her post-graduation in Malayalam at the Maharani Sethu Parvathi Bayi NSS College for Women at Neeramankara here .<br />Apparently, the news of her feat was enough to shake Electricity Minister A K Balan and he ordered immediate steps to bring electricity to Sharmi’s home. <br /><br />Village to be renamed ‘Sharmi’.<br /><br />“I have also ordered to provide power connection to 65 more households in the village and the village will now be known after Sharmi. This is the state's gift to her,” said Balan here.<br /><br />“This is a proud moment for me also as a minister. I will visit her home during my next trip to that area,” he said. <br /><br />Sharmi, who was in the city along with her parents for a reception at the college here on Tuesday, thanked the minister profusely for his action. <br /><br />Earlier, the state government had announced a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh each to the four Asian Games gold winners from the state, Rs 7.5 lakh to the silver medalists and Rs 5 lakh to the bronze medallists.</p>
