New Delhi, Oct 13 (IANS) India's Commonwealth Games gold medallist in discus throw Krishna Poonia Wednesday called on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister C.P. Joshi and thanked him for his "constant encouragement".

Twenty-eight-year old Poonia, a farmer's daughter and mother of a nine-year-old boy said such felicitations will boost her confidence and she hopes to "emulate the feat" at the next Asian Games and Olympics, a rural development ministry release stated.

Poonia from Gagarwas village in Rajasthan was reported to have found it difficult to raise funds for her training sessions. She is now busy attending felicitations and receiving cash prizes for her historic performance Monday ensuring a top podium finish by hurling the discus to a distance of 61.51 metres.

The last time such a feat was achieved in track and field was 37 years ago by the Indian men's trio of shot putters Jugraj Singh, Gurdeep Singh and Bahadur Singh Chouhan at the Asian Championships at Manila.

Joshi said Poonia has made the country proud with her "glorious achievement".

He added that her performance will motivate the youngsters to participate in the track and field events.