Neeraj Chopra
In a recent heartwarming event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally congratulated Neeraj Chopra for winning a silver medal in the javelin throw at the Paris Olympics. What stood out during this interaction was PM Modi’s special praise for Neeraj’s mother, Saroj Devi, for her gracious and sportsmanlike comment about Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, who clinched the gold.
Neeraj Chopra, who had entered the final as the favorite, delivered an impressive throw of 89.45 meters, his second-best performance to date. Despite narrowly missing the gold, which went to Arshad Nadeem with a record-breaking 92.97 meters, Neeraj’s achievement brought immense pride to India.
In a notable gesture of sportsmanship, Saroj Devi remarked in an interview that the gold medalist, Arshad Nadeem, was “also my child.” This comment was highlighted by PM Modi during his call with Neeraj Chopra , commending the family’s generous spirit and unity. Modi noted, “The way your mother spoke about Arshad Nadeem shows the true spirit of sportsmanship”.
The Prime Minister also inquired about Neeraj’s health and his plans moving forward. Neeraj, who had been battling an injury, assured that he and his team would make necessary decisions regarding his recovery and future competitions. Modi encouraged Neeraj to not dwell on missing the gold, reminding him of the millions of Indians who stayed up to watch him compete and were proud of his perseverance and performance.
This interaction not only celebrated Neeraj Chopra’s athletic success but also underscored the profound values of sportsmanship and unity, exemplified by his family’s gracious acknowledgment of their competitor’s victory.
