Ranchi, Apr 3 (IANS): Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda Sunday announced that land would be allotted to local boy and Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni to set up a cricket academy and school here.
Congratulating Dhoni, Munda told IANS: "Dhoni is a great player and we congratulate him for the victory of India in the World Cup after 28 years. The state government will provide a piece of land to Dhoni to set a cricket academy and a school in Ranchi."
"The school and academy will brush up the potential of the upcoming players and Jharkhand will be able to produce more international level cricketers," he said.
"Dhoni belongs to a humble family and Jharkhand can produce more international players," he added.
Dhoni's father was a pump operator in government undertaking Mecon in Ranchi.
The cricketer's initial life was difficult and he somehow managed to practice cricket. His friends and relatives helped him in getting the bat, ball and other paraphernalia for the game.
The Jharkhand government also said it would confer an honorary doctorate on Dhoni - who is yet to complete his graduation.
"We will soon initiate the process to award honorary doctorate degree to Dhoni," said Baijnath Ram, human resource development minister of Jharkhand.
Dhoni, 29, is doing his graduation from St. Xavier's College in Ranchi. He has been unable to complete the course due to his tight schedule.
Jharkhand earlier gifted a 4,000 sq feet plot and a Rs.11 lakh car to Dhoni when India won the T20 World Cup in 2007.
Celebrations continued in Ranchi for the second day after India beat Sri Lanka in the World Cup final in Mumbai Saturday. People thronged to Dhoni's house situated at Harmu Housing Colony of Ranchi to congratulate his family members.
Dhoni's parents however preferred not to speak to mediapersons. The entire city seemed to be in a celebratory mood and there was praise all round for Dhoni.
Soon after Dhoni hit the winning runs in the final match in Mumbai Saturday, children, youth and elderly came onto streets to celebrate the Indian victory.
"Dhoni tune kar dala" (Dhoni you did it) and "Jharkhand ka Lal, India ko dila diya World Cup" (son of Jharkhand has won the World Cup for India) were some of the slogans shouted by people in Ranchi.
Not only Ranchi, but the entire Jharkhand witnessed Diwali-like celebrations till late in the night.