I hope the love stays, please don't be angry if I don't win another medal: Manu Bhaker
Chateauroux (France), Jul 30: At 22, Manu Bhaker has already become one of India's greatest athletes by winning two medals in the same Olympics and she has just one plea ahead of her third and final event at the Games -- "don't be angry if I can't add another one".
Bhaker, who became the first athlete in independent India to win two medals in the same Olympics, will compete in the 25m sports pistol qualifications on August 2. She has so far won bronze medals in the women's 10m air pistol and the mixed 10m air pistol events.
"I hope the love stays. I will definitely try my best. I hope people are not disappointed. Please don't be angry if I don't win another medal," she said, voicing a fear that most elite athletes live with, despite her epoch-making performance at Chateauroux's shooting range.
Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh, who is also 22, made easy work of the Korean challenge in the mixed team event on Tuesday.
"The feeling is surreal because I hadn't hoped I'll win two medals in a single Olympics," said the history-making shooter from Haryana's Jhajjar.
"There is one more match to go (in 25m sports pistol). So, I am looking forward to the next one, but I am grateful that I got another medal for India," said added.
She added that whenever Indian athletes represent the country, the only dream they harbour is to win an Olympic medal, and she would like to garner as much success at the Games as possible.
"This (bronze medal today) is part of the dream; one part is in the bag and the other one is with me here. An athlete, when he plays for India, his dream is to win a medal at the Olympics and that was my dream as well. And, I would want to win as many medals as possible in the Olympics," she said.
Bhaker's performance here has come after a failed campaign at the Tokyo Games in 2021 where a pistol malfunction stopped her from achieving her Olympic dream.
She said that heartbreak made her value the medals here even more.
"After the experience in Tokyo, I realise how special winning this (medal) is. When I start on the lane, I know I have worked hard and so many people have supported me throughout my journey. Olympics is a special stage and so many people watch it," she added.
On whether her performance here would make her a sporting icon much like former 10m air rifle shooter Abhinav Bindra, who became a household name after winning gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Manu said the status, if at all she gets it, will not stop her from working hard and aiming for more glory.
"I can't say that about myself (becoming a female sporting icon); if people call me that then I am grateful. But my journey will continue and there's no stopping for me, I will keep working hard even if I win or lose. I'll keep my head high and try my best.
Manu, the second youngest Indian athlete to win an Olympic medal after shuttler PV Sindhu, added that she looks up to ace javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and Sindhu because they have "proved themselves".
"I've always looked up to athletes like Neeraj (Chopra) (PV) Sindhu, who have always been able to prove themselves at certain levels.
"They have always been my seniors, I can't compare (myself with them)," said Bhaker, a former competitor of the Khelo India Games and a Target Olympic Podium Scheme athlete.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
NIA registers case to probe recovery of 79 crude bombs in poll-bound West Bengal
New Delhi (PTI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday registered a case to probe recovery of 79 crude bombs in poll-bound West Bengal, officials said.
The move came following a directive by the Union Home Ministry in this regard, they said.
In pursuance to the home ministry's order, the anti-terror agency on Sunday registered a case, which was originally filed at Uttar Kashi police station, Bhangar division, Kolkata on Saturday, and took up the investigation, an NIA spokesperson said in a late night statement.
"The case pertains to recovery of 79 crude bombs and other incriminating materials by Kolkata police, which were being stored at a spot, thereby endangering human life and property," the spokesperson said.
Earlier in the day, the Election Commission had directed the West Bengal Police to launch a special drive to arrest those involved in illegal manufacturing of crude bombs in the poll-bound state, an official said.
It asserted that all cases related to the making of any such explosive would be probed by the National Investigation Agency, the official said.
The directive came after the police recovered a large number of crude bombs from the house of a person, allegedly a TMC worker, at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district, days ahead of the second and final phase of the assembly polls in the state.
The explosives were recovered during a search at the residence of Rafikul Islam following specific inputs, the official said.
The poll panel also issued a warning to senior police officers across the state over any lapse in maintaining law and order before the April 29 polling.
The first phase of the assembly elections in West Bengal was held on April 23, while the second phase will take place on April 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.
A record 93.19 per cent turnout has been recorded in the first round of polling. Bhangar will vote in the second phase.
