A Mother Speaks the Truth

While the nation mourns for our champion wrestler, Vinesh Phogat, who has been denied her medal despite her decisive victory, a mother has sent such a sublime message, that people across the border are celebrating with utter joy. As is said, in popular usage — Jhoom utthe sab  

By Amit Sengupta

While the nation mourns for our champion wrestler and fighter, Vinesh Phogat, who has been denied her medal despite her decisive victory, a mother has sent such a sublime message, that people across the border are celebrating with utter joy. As is said, in popular usage — Jhoom utthe sab.

And what did she say?

“We are very happy. For us, silver is also equal to gold. The one (Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan) who got the gold is also like our son. He was injured, so we are happy with his performance. I will cook his favourite food,” Saroj Devi said.

The latest is that Arshad Nadeem’s mother too has responded warmly to Neeraj Chopra’s mother’s affectionate message. “Neeraj is also like my son. I prayed for him as well.”

Politicians and trolls of a particular party in India might be obsessively indulging in a certain kind of vicious discourse. However, Neeraj’s mother has proved them wrong in just one moment of expressed joy. It was truly the most authentic message a mother from India could send to the mothers and sons of Pakistan.

Neeraj’s father, Satish Kumar, was equally magnanimous. He said it was Pakistan’s day.

“Everyone has their day. Today was Pakistan’s day. We have won silver, and it is a proud thing for us. I think his groin injury had a part in his performance,” he said. “He has won silver for the country. We are happy and proud. All the youths will get inspired by him.” 

Said Neeraj, after Arshad’s victory: “Today was Arshad’s day. I gave my best, but some things need to be addressed and worked on. India played well (at the Summer Olympic Games). Our national anthem may not have been played today, but it will be heard in the future.”

“It is hard to believe that he has been struggling to get a new javelin,” he said. “Given his credentials, this should not be a big issue at all. Arshad is a top javelin thrower, and I believe that the javelin- makers will be more than happy to sponsor him and provide what he needs.”

Arshad and Neeraj are friends. They go a long way. The young Indian from Panipat in Haryana has never lost to Arshad before. The javeline-thrower from Pakistan has set a new Olympic record this time with a throw of 92.97 meters. This was Pakistan’s first ever gold won by an individual athlete at the Olympics. 

Arshad’s throw was the sixth-longest in the history of the game. Predictably, the crowd at the Stade de France in Paris was stunned.

Meanwhile, tears don’t seem to be drying in India. The denial of a medal, and a possible gold in the final, to Vinesh Phogat, has shocked the nation. Her quitting the game has added to the simmering wound. 

Now, some people are saying that the nation should collect money to gift her a special ‘People’s Gold Medal’. Trinamool Congress leaders are saying that she should be given a Rajya Sabha ticket. Others are appealing that the entire Parliament should bestow her the dignity she deserves, and honour her in the House.

Meanwhile, ace shooter, Abhinav Bindra, met Vinesh Phogat in Paris. That must have given her the strength she needs in this moment of tragedy. The rifle-shooter is the first Indian to have won gold in the Beijing Olympics in 2008. 

In a beautiful letter written to her, replete with optimism and courage, he has said: 

Dear Vinesh, 

It is said that sport is a celebration of human will. I have known that to be true many times in my career but never has it resonated more than today. As I look around me, I see a nation and its people celebrate your unyielding resolve.

You are a fighter – on and off the mat. Through you, we are learning what it means to never lose the fight in us, even as a loss weighs heavily. You embody the true spirit of a warrior. 

Not all victories look alike. Some end up as a glittering souvenir in a cabinet, but the ones that matter more find their way into the stories we tell our children. And every child in this country will know the champion you are. Every child will grow up wanting to face life with the resilience you have displayed. I thank you for that. 

Respect, 

Abhinav Bindra

It should be remembered that Abhinav Bindra was one of the first to speak out in solidarity with the peaceful struggle of our world champion women wrestlers led by Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Mallick and Bajrang Punia. He was joined by Neeraj Chopra, Virender Sehwag and others, even while most top Indian cricketers and Bollywood cricketers, as is their past record, compulsively chose to look the other way.

Significantly, the Indian cricket team which won the first World Cup in cricket in England in1983, led by great all-rounder, Kapil Dev, came out in support of the wrestlers. In a statement, they said:

“We are distressed and disturbed at the unseemly visuals of our champion wrestlers being manhandled. We are also most concerned that they are thinking of dumping their hard earned medals into river Ganga. Those medals have involved years of effort, sacrifice, determination and grit, and are not only their own, but the nation’s pride and joy. We urge them not to take any hasty decision in this matter and also fervently hope that their grievances are heard and resolved quickly. Let the law of the land prevail.”

Predictably, Roger Binny, who was member of the team, refused to  join his fellow cricketers in this gesture of solidarity. He is the current chief of the BCCI run by Jay Shah, son of the Union home minister. Hence, it was made crystal clear, on which side he stood. 

Meanwhile, the Indian men’s hockey team, added another spark of joy by winning the bronze at the Olympics. Down by one goal, the team beat Spain  2-1. Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored a goal, after Marc Miralles, captain of the Spanish team had scored. This was India’s 13^th medal in hockey at the Games, a world record. 

The Indian hockey team is the most successful team in the history of Olympics with eight gold, one silver and three bronze medals. After 41 years, they won a bronze at the Tokyo Olympics. 

“I feel great,” Harmanpreet Singh said. “We created history again, back-to-back. It’s a big day for India and a big day for hockey. Today’s game was very good. We played as a team. Everyone delivered, especially our legend, Sreejesh. It was his last game. It’s a memorable game for him, and a big achievement as a team.”

Indeed, in a country where millionaire cricketers rule the roost, raking in huge money in a totally commercialised game which goes on relentlessly, night and day, the resurrection of sports like hockey, boxing, chess, badminton, wrestling, shooting, women’s cricket, gymnastics, table tennis and athletics, is a sign of optimism. From Vinesh Phogat to Abhinav Bindra to Nikhat Zareen and Sreejesh, these are the new stars and the new role models, in country which desperately needs a new narrative.