Lovlina Borgohain may have won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games, but it was her actions away from the boxing ring that drew praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The boxer had objected after noticing an incorrect depiction of the Indian map on a flag displayed at a restaurant in Glasgow.
India's Commonwealth Games medallists met Modi at his residence in New Delhi on Sunday. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse and Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha were also present. During the interaction, Modi asked Lovlina about the incident at the restaurant.
"Kya hua wo restaurant waale se jhagda kar rahi thi? (What happened, you were fighting with that restaurant guy?)" Modi asked.
Lovlina laughed before explaining why she had intervened.
She said the Indian contingent had just completed a strong campaign and was celebrating on the final day of the Games when she noticed the distorted flag.
"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 flag. I politely told them and they have made the changes also," she said.
Modi praised Lovlina for noticing the issue despite being caught up in celebrations. India finished fourth in the Glasgow Games medal table with 39 medals, including 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze.
LOVLINA'S FLAG MOMENT
The incident became one of the more memorable moments of the interaction. For Lovlina, the matter was straightforward: after India's athletes had completed a successful campaign, she felt the country's flag should be displayed correctly.
Modi said her reaction demonstrated that the importance of the national flag remained with her even amid the 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," Modi told the Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist.
MIRABAI'S EMOTIONAL RECALL
Weightlifting star Mirabai Chanu also spoke about an emotional moment from her Glasgow campaign. She won the women's 48kg gold medal with a Games-record lift of 190kg, but the podium ceremony brought back memories of the disappointment she had experienced over the previous four years.
Modi asked her about the tears she shed after winning the gold.
"I was very happy and emotional in that moment. I was crying because I missed a medal in Paris Olympics by one kilogram. I had faced a lot in these last four years. I was battling injuries and some family problems too," Mirabai said.
She added that hearing India's national anthem while watching the Tricolour being raised made the moment even more emotional.
The meeting also included lighter moments. Boxer Narender Berwal recalled a joke made by a Pakistani boxer following their bout at the 2015 Military World Games.
Modi also praised boxer Jadumani Singh, who dedicated his Glasgow gold medal to the Indian armed forces after defeating a Pakistani opponent on July 26, observed as Vijay Diwas.
