Lovlina’s flag stand, Mirabai’s tears: Modi hears CWG medallists’ stories

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (August 9) met Indian athletes who won medals at the Commonwealth Games at his residence, following the country’s fourth-place finish in the overall medal standings with 39 medals.

During the interaction, Modi heard the athletes recount their experiences in the run-up to the Games and their time in Glasgow. He praised boxer Lovlina Borgohain for objecting to a distorted Indian flag, while weightlifter Mirabai Chanu spoke about the “turmoil” she had faced over the past four years.

Also read: India finishes 4th at Glasgow CWG; countdown begins for 2030 Ahmedabad Games

The meeting also featured lighter moments, with the medallists sharing anecdotes and interacting informally with the Prime Minister. It was also attended by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President P T Usha.

Modi praises Lovlina’s gesture

During the interaction, PM Modi asked boxer Lovlina Borgohain about an incident in which she had objected to a restaurant displaying a distorted Indian flag.

In a little over 10-minute video of the meeting released by the Prime Minister’s Office on Monday (August 10), Modi was seen asking the 75kg silver medallist what had happened with the restaurant staff. Borgohain laughed and explained that the incident took place on the final day of the Games, when the Indian contingent was celebrating its performance.

Also read: Commonwealth Games Day 4: Mirabai Chanu wins gold for third straight time

She said she noticed the incorrect depiction of the Indian flag and politely brought it to the restaurant staff’s attention, after which the necessary correction was made. Modi applauded her for raising the issue despite the celebratory mood. He said her ability to notice the significance of the flag and act on it at such a moment was noteworthy.

Mirabai’s four-year struggle

In his one-on-one chat with Mirabai, who won the 48kg category gold in Glasgow with a Games record lift of 190kg, the PM asked about her breakdown on the podium. He also fed her a laddu during the interaction. Mirabai said it was a moment of letting go emotions that she had been holding on for the past four years.

Boxer Narender Berwal, who won the +90kg gold, took the opportunity to share a funny comment that he received from a Pakistani boxer after beating him in the Military World Games of 2015.

"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 as Modi laughed.

Hails Indian athletes

On a more serious note, PM appreciated the efforts of the athletes and called them an inspiration.

Also read: Tejaswin Shankar grabs bronze, first Indian to win decathlon medal in CWG

"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," he said.

Modi also lauded boxer Jadumani Singh (55kg), who reflected his win over a Pakistani boxer during the Games on July 26, which is also celebrated as Vijay Diwas to commemorate India's victory over Pakistan in the 1999 Kargil War.

(With agency inputs)