PM Modi Hails Athletes, Praises Lovlina Borgohain for Upholding National Pride
NEW DELHI: In a heartfelt interaction with India’s Commonwealth Games medalists, Prime Minister Narendra Modi singled out boxer Lovlina Borgohain for special commendation, praising her quick thinking and patriotic spirit in objecting to a distorted map of India during the Glasgow Games. This pivotal moment, the Prime Minister stated, would resonate deeply for years to come.
Lovlina, who clinched a silver medal in the women’s 75kg category, was among the celebrated athletes who met with Prime Minister Modi at his residence on Sunday. The gathering, which included Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse, and Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha, offered an informal and emotional platform for athletes to share their experiences from the Games.
A ten-minute video of the interaction, released by the Prime Minister’s Office on Monday, captured Modi addressing Lovlina directly about her confrontation with a restaurant in Glasgow.
“Kya hua wo restaurant waale se jhagda kar rahi thi? (What happened, you were fighting with that restaurant guy?)” Modi playfully enquired.
Lovlina, with a laugh, elucidated her actions: “We had such a good performance and it was the last day of the Games. It was a happy occasion sir, we were celebrating and I didn’t like it when I saw the distorted map. I politely told them and they have made the changes also,” she explained.
‘That video was not ordinary’
Prime Minister Modi applauded the Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist for her vigilance, especially amidst post-medal celebrations. “To be able to recognise the significance of that map at a time when you were celebrating and the Games were over, I can tell you truthfully, that video was not ordinary. It will be remembered by people for a very long time,” he affirmed.
India concluded its campaign in Glasgow securing fourth place with an impressive tally of 39 medals, including 13 golds, with boxing alone contributing seven gold medals to this haul.
The interaction also offered an intimate glimpse into the challenging journey of weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, who secured a gold medal in the women’s 48kg category. Her Games-record lift of 190kg was the culmination of four arduous years following a heartbreaking one-kilogram miss at the Paris Olympics.
Mirabai opens up about four difficult years
Modi, observing Mirabai’s emotional display on the podium, even offered her a laddu during their conversation, asking about her tears. “Itne aansu tapak rahe the (So many tears were rolling down),” Modi remarked.
Mirabai elaborated that her tears were a release of accumulated emotions. “I was very happy and emotional at that moment. I was crying because I missed a medal in the Paris Olympics by one kilogram. I have faced a lot in these last four years. I was battling injuries and some family problems too.
“There were a lot of things. So, these four years were very tough for me. And when I stood on the podium, our flag went up and the anthem played, it was hard to stop myself,” she candidly shared.
Narender’s joke leaves Modi laughing
The meeting wasn’t without its lighter moments. Boxer Narender Berwal, silver medalist in the +90kg category, recounted a humorous exchange with a Pakistani boxer after defeating him at the 2015 World Military Games.
“During the 2015 World Military Games, I had a bout with a Pakistani boxer. I won it but when we were together in the medical room for treatment to our niggles, he said to me ‘Bhaijan aapka naam Narender hai, aapke coach ka naam Narender hai, aapke Pradhan Mantri ka naam Narender hai, mujhe Narender naam se nafrat ho gayi hai.’ (Brother, you, your coach and your PM are all named Narender. I hate this name now),” he recalled, sparking laughter from the Prime Minister.
Concluding the interaction, Prime Minister Modi underscored the profound impact of the athletes’ achievements beyond sports. “I have been in this house for 12-13 years now and if there is one group that I have met regularly here, it is the athletes because of your efforts to win medals for India and your tradition of scaling new heights. Far more than our push to promote sports in schools, it is your medals that inspire people,” Modi stated, highlighting their role in galvanizing a new generation of aspiring athletes.
