PM Modi leads in congratulating Mirabai
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 24 2021:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the country in congratulating Mi-rabai Chanu, who on Saturday ended India's 21-year wait for a weightlifting medal at the Olympics by clinching a silver in the 49kg category at the Tokyo Games here.
Wishing Mirabai on her success, PM Modi said her feat will inspire the future generations.
"Could not have asked for a happier start to @Tokyo2020! India is elated by @mirabai_chanu's stupendous performance.
Congratulations to her for winning the Silver medal in weightlifting.
Her success motivates every Indian.
#Cheer4India #Tokyo2020," Modi tweeted.
"Imaleipak Manipur na Yaiphare, Bharat mata ki jai.
Mirabai, we're so proud of you.
Manipur is so proud of you.
India is so proud of you.
When you come back home, Rs one crore is waiting for you from the State Government's side.
And you're no longer going to be a Railway Ticket Collector any more.
The State Government in consultation with the Union Government is going to offer you a triple time higher post.
Keep it up.
You've to work harder and win the gold in the next Olympics," said N Biren Singh, an excited Chief Minister of Manipur during a congratulatory video phone chat with Saikhom Mirabai Chanu.
Sports Minister Anurag Thakur and his predecessor Kiren Rijiju too congratulated the weightlifter for bagging a medal for India on the first day of the competitions here.
"India's 1st medal on day 1 ! @mirabai_chanu wins SILVER in women's 49kg weightlifting! India is so proud of you Mira !," Thakur wrote on his twitter handle.
Rijiju added: "India strikes first medal at Olympic #Tokyo2020 Mirabai Chanu wins silver Medal in 49 kg Women's Weightlifting and made India proud Congratulations @mirabai_chanu! #Cheer4India".India's lone Olympic gold medallist and former shooter Abhinav Bindra too took to the social networking platform to wish Mirabai.
"Many many Congratulations to @mirabai_chanu on winning India's first medal at #Tokyo2020.Such An inspiring performance that will be remembered for a long time to come and will inspire generations.
Well done".
Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin also congratulated Chanu on her incredible feat.
Cricket stars including batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, VVS Laxman and Gautam Gambhir, also were not left behind as they congratulated the Manipuri lifter for her success.
"MIRABAI CHANU! Absolutely amazing display of weightlifting.
The way you have transformed yourself after your injury and clinched a historic silver for #TeamIndia is absolutely stupendous," Tendulkar tweeted.
"Ghazab.
Bhartiya Naari Sab par Bhaari.
#Mi-rabaiChanu, remember the name.
Thank you for making us all proud @mirabai_chanu, and winning us a Silver at the Olympics.
Many more to come.
#Tokyo2020," wrote Sehwag, known for his witty tweets.
"Congratulations #MirabaiChanu on making us proud and bringing us glory.
Our first medal at the #TokyoOlympics2020, a Second place medal in the Women's 49kg weightlifting.
Super Proud," Laxman said.
Gambhir added: 1.3 billion Indians proud of #MirabaiChanu! ?? ????".
Olympic medallist wrestler Sakshi Malik and double Commonwealth Games gold medallist lifter Satish Shivalingam too were effusive their praises for Mirabai's feat.
"Mirabai Chanu wins silver Medal in 49 kg Women's Weightlifting and made India proud-Flag of India Congratulations @mirabai_chanu! #Cheer4India #Tokyo2020," Sakshi wrote on her twitter page.
Shivalingam said he got emotional while watching Mirabai creating history in Tokyo.
"History create ho gaya.
Itna aasan nahi hota (History has been created.
It was not easy), it is a very very big thing.
I had tears in my ears.
It will be difficult for anyone to emulate this performance," he said.