By: Dr. Puja Jaiswal
Assistant Professor-Law
Army Institute of Law-Mohali
Yes... Neeraj Chopra won the maiden gold medal in athletics and became the second Indian to win an individual gold in the Olympics. August 7th, 2021, became a historic day for the country, witnessing the award ceremony.....where Neeraj finally made the National Anthem moment possible for India in Tokyo.
This 23-year-old son of a farmer comes from a small village- Khandra in District Panipat, Haryana. I accompanied my husband to Neeraj’s uncle’s house- Mr Surender in 2017, when he used to play for Under 20. His family had high hopes and today he made not only his family but the entire nation proud.
Neeraj, a Subedar in the Rajputana Rifles made the Indian Army proud by this stupendous victory in the Men's Javelin Throw at Tokyo Olympics. Neeraj, like legends namely Milkha Singh, P.T. Usha, Phogat sisters, too fought all odds and performed splendidly.
Neeraj has become an Icon for upcoming players and he proved that Indians have a lot of potential and remarkable passion that needs to be harnessed.