Nirendra Dev
Saikhom Mirabai Chanu of Manipur made the country proud as she won the prestigious Silver medal in the Tokyo Olympics.
New Delhi: Befitting her unprecedented sporting glory achieved at Tokyo Olympics, weightlifter Mirabai Chanu received a cheque of Rs 1 Crore from the Manipur government on Tuesday (July 29).
The BJP-led state government has also appointed her as 'Additional Superintendent of Police' in charge of Sports in Manipur Police.
The scene of her mother taking Mirabai into her arms was an exciting and near-magical moment.
Saikhom Mirabai Chanu of Manipur made the country proud as she won the prestigious Silver medal in the Tokyo Olympics.
The Gold medal went to China, and Indonesia won the Bronze.
It could not have been a happier start; Prime Minister Narendra Modi had tweeted soon after the news of her winning the coveted Olympic medal went viral on social media.
A stampede like situation prevailed once 26-year-old Mirabai got out of the airport at Manipur capital Imphal before she was safely escorted into a vehicle along with Chief Minister N Biren Singh.
In a tweet on July 27 evening, Mirabai wrote: "This silver medal is even more special because of the love people of India and my state Manipur have shown me. I am grateful to each and every person who came today to congratulate me and gave me their blessings."
The Chief Minister handed over her the appointment letter of Manipur Police for Additional SP (Sports) and a cheque of Rs 1 crore.
Manipur Sports Minister Letpao Haokip also handed over Rs 10 lakh to Mirabai for her record performance in the clean & jerk category.
State education minister Rajen also handed over Rs 3 lakh for her achievements.
"We are filled with so much joy to felicitate the 'pride of our nation'," tweeted the Chief Minister.
Mirabai credited her family, coach, and people of Manipur for her success.
She thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Sports Ministry for sending her to the US for training ahead of the Olympics.
Mirabai revealed she had approached the Prime Minister and the then Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju to send her to the US for training and increase her chances of winning an Olympic medal that the government of India accepted.
The story goes that her 'talent' was spotted by the Meitei Hindu members and her parents when she was just 12.
It is said, Mirabai could easily carry a huge bundle of firewood to her home, which her elder brother found it hard to pick up.
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