New Delhi: Manu Bhaker, India’s celebrated shooter and double Bronze Medalist at the Paris Olympics 2024, was felicitated today by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, in a special ceremony held in Delhi. Bhaker, the daughter of a seasoned seafarer, was honored on behalf of the entire seafarer’s community, recognizing her historic achievement as the only Indian to win two Bronze medals in a single Olympic event.
The ceremony saw Bhaker being presented with a Phoolam Gamusa, a model ship, and a cheque of ₹10 lakhs from the Indian Ports Association (IPA) as a token of appreciation for her outstanding accomplishments. The event also included a heartfelt interaction between Bhaker and young seafarers, where she shared how growing up in a seafarer’s family instilled in her the values of discipline, dedication, and focus—qualities that propelled her to Olympic glory.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal lauded Bhaker’s extraordinary achievement, stating, “Manu Bhaker’s phenomenal success at the Paris Olympics signifies her perseverance and relentless pursuit of excellence. She embodies the undying spirit of India’s youth, aspiring for greatness and determined to achieve it. Her story is an inspiration, especially for our young seafarers, as she beautifully highlighted how her upbringing amidst the seafarer’s community shaped her journey.”
Bhaker, reflecting on her journey, spoke fondly of her childhood experiences sailing on ships with her family, saying, “Those journeys were more than just vacations—they enriched me with learnings from different languages, cultures, and ways of life. I faced many challenges along the way, but they only strengthened my resolve. I believe in pushing beyond limits—‘Go big, then Go Home.’ It’s about giving your all, knowing that the journey itself is as important as the destination.”
Sonowal also extended his gratitude to Bhaker’s parents, Sumedha and Ram Kishan Bhaker, for their unwavering support in nurturing her talent. Ram Kishan Bhaker, who serves as a Chief Engineer on a merchant navy ship, and Sumedha Bhaker were also felicitated during the event.
The Minister further emphasized the government’s commitment to promoting excellence in sports under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He remarked, “The Modi government’s unwavering commitment to celebrate and promote excellence in sports shall continue, recognizing the invaluable contributions of athletes and maritime professionals in advancing the nation’s growth and development.”
The event was graced by key officials, including the Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), TK Ramachandran; Joint Secretary, MoPSW, R Lakshmanan; and the Chairman of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Vijay Kumar, among others. The ceremony highlighted not only Bhaker’s exceptional achievements but also the strong bond between the maritime community and the nation’s sporting heroes.