Ranchi, Oct 25 (UNI) Unwrapping the surprise gift for Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda today presented him a Toyota Corolla car.
Besides, Mr Koda gave Dhoni a Rs five-lakh cheque, which the Indian Captain donated to the Chief minister's fund.
The Jharkhand government oragnised a function at the CM's official residence here for the occasion.
Eulogising Dhoni, who was dressed in white kurta and blue jeans with his new hair style, Mr Koda said the local lad would be conferred the ''Jharkhand Khel Ratna'' on Novemeber 15, the eighth statehood day.
The decision of felicitating Dhoni in public had already been taken by the state government, Mr Koda added.
Immediately after India's triumph at the Twenty-20 World Cup held in South Africa, the Jharkhand government promptly announced to honour Mahi with 'Jharkhand Ratna', a decision that triggered controversy in the state.
''We are proud that Dhoni belongs to our state and from now onwards the entire world would come to know the position of Jharkhand in the international map,'' the Chief Minister said.
Overwhelmned by the grand welcome, Dhoni said, ''victory in T-20 series came as a booster after poor performance during the world cup in West Indies''.
''By winning the T-20 series, we have proved that we are also champions and the recent T 20 match against Australia which we again won was an example of that,'' Dhoni said.
The Chief Minister had announced to present a surprise gift to Dhoni when India won the T-20 World Cup.
UNI