Neeraj Chopra had advocated for support as Arshad Nadeem struggled to acquire new javelin
Paris: In a much awaited Olympic final, Neeraj Chopra of India and Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan made history on the javelin throw podium. While Chopra secured a silver medal, the spotlight was on Nadeem, who set a new Olympic record with a throw of 92.97 meters, winning Pakistan's first-ever individual gold medal at the Olympics. India’s Neeraj Chopra, who won silver, had a throw of 89.45 meters, his season best.
However, in March 2024, just five months before this remarkable achievement, Nadeem was struggling to acquire a new javelin. He was using the same one for nearly eight years. Despite his stature in the sport, the lack of proper equipment threatened to undermine his Olympic ambitions.
Neeraj Chopra had back then stepped in and made a heartfelt plea for support, highlighting the importance of providing top athletes like Nadeem with the necessary equipment to compete at the highest level.
Chopra's appeal highlighted the mutual respect and camaraderie between the two athletes, even as they prepared to compete at the highest level.
Chopra's silver medal, though an improvement on his qualification throw, was not enough to surpass Nadeem's astonishing feat, marking the first time the Indian star lost to Nadeem in their ten encounters.
The event will be remembered not just for the fierce competition but also for the sportsmanship that both the athletes have showcased.
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2001 Parliament attack anniversary: Vice Prez, PM Modi, MPs pay tributes to fallen heroes
New Delhi (PTI): Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Saturday led Parliamentarians in paying floral tributes to those who died fending off terrorists who attacked the Parliament House in 2001.
On the 24th anniversary of the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Radhakrishnan, who is also the Rajya Sabha Chair, were among the first to offer tributes.
A brief function is held outside the now old Parliament building (Samvidhan Sadan) every December 13 to mark the day.
CISF personnel presented a salute or "samman guard" at the venue, after which a moment of silence was observed to mark the anniversary. Till 2023, the CRPF used to offer 'salami shastra' (present arms).
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, a senior party leader, were also present at the event. Union ministers Kiren Rijiju, Jitendra Singh and Arjun Ram Meghwal also lined up to offer flower petals at the photographs of the personnel who went down foiling the attack.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is in Latur to attend the funeral of former speaker of the Lower House of Parliament and ex-Union minister Shivraj Patil.
The attack was carried out by five armed terrorists, but personnel from the now former Parliament Security Service, CRPF and Delhi Police foiled the attack, with no terrorist being able to enter the building.
Six Delhi Police personnel, two Parliament Security Service personnel, a gardener and a TV video journalist were killed in the attack. All five terrorists were gunned down in the forecourt of the then Parliament building.
