“Your medal calls for celebration, not apology”: PM Modi consoles wrestler Pooja Gehlot, wins internet

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s consolating gesture toward heartbroken wrestler Pooja Gehlot is garnering praises not just within the country but from across the borders too.

Indian athlete Pooja Gehlot won the bronze play-off on Saturday after losing the Women’s 50kg Freestyle Wrestling event to Canada’s Madison Parks in the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Gehlot got teary-eyed while in conversation with the media after she had to settle for a bronze, as she apologised to her fellow citizens saying that her goal was to hear the National Anthem being played at the tournament.

Watch:

#WATCH | India’s Pooja Gehlot gets emotional post winning a Bronze medal in the Women’s 50kg Freestyle Wrestling

“I apologise to my compatriots. I wished that the National Anthem be played here… But I will learn from my mistakes, and work on them,” says Wrestler Pooja Gehlot pic.twitter.com/LOHIMeMRHI

— ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2022

Taking notice of the disheartening player, PM Modi took to Twitter to put in some motivating words and wrote, “Pooja, your medal calls for celebrations, not an apology. Your life journey motivates us, your success gladdens us. You are destined for great things ahead…keep shining! “.

Pooja, your medal calls for celebrations, not an apology. Your life journey motivates us, your success gladdens us. You are destined for great things ahead…keep shining! ⭐️ https://t.co/qQ4pldn1Ff

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2022

PM’s response is winning hearts from all directions. Pakistani journalist Shiraj Hassan retweeted his response and wrote on Twitter, “This is how India projects their athletes. Pooja Gehlot won the bronze and expressed sorrow as she was unable to win the Gold medal, and PM Modi responded to her. Ever seen such a message for Pakistan PM or President? Do they even know that Pakistani athletes are winning medals?”

This is how India projects their athletes. Pooja Gehlot won bronze and expressed sorrow as she was unable to win the Gold medal, and PM Modi responded to her.
Ever saw such message for Pakistan PM or President? Do they even know that Pakistani athletes are winning medals? #CWG22 https://t.co/kMqKKaju0M

— Shiraz Hassan (@ShirazHassan) August 7, 2022

Check several overwhelming Twitter reactions here: 

This is what makes #PMmodi different from all other PMs we have had. He stands with our sportsmen like no one ever did.

We are proud of #PoojaGehlot. Even participating and training for such tough games is an achievement. You have won bronze. It’s a huge #success. https://t.co/bwDdR9ki1g

— Tarangini das 🇮🇳🚩 (@Tarangini_das47) August 7, 2022

Dang. May not agree with his politics but this is an incredible thing for a head of state to say to a sportsperson..

A+. https://t.co/maaL2BJ03d

— Dallas Cricket (@DallasCricket) August 7, 2022

You love him OR hate him but this one is the best and cuttest thing any athlete would like to hear… myself being an athlete I know how it feels and when grind so hard and have to satisfy yourself in less then top most position 💯 https://t.co/AOy0s3dbDj

— Prathama 🇮🇳 (@Prathama_35) August 7, 2022

Thats called #leader ….jis din opposition party ka ek bhi leader @narendramodi ka 10% bhi ho gya na us din se m usko vote dene ke liye sochne lgunga.#PoojaGehlot please dont feel sad
you are champ for us#CWG22 #CommonwealthGames22 https://t.co/9voyqshx2B

— 🪓 देहाती वत्स 🪓 (@DehatiVats) August 7, 2022

This! This strong personal support, the kind of positive intention he brings to the table…! Totally Adore our PM ☺ https://t.co/UYe92JYkGS

— Rachana Sathe (@RachanaSathe4) August 7, 2022

It’s great that the highest authority in the country is having her back.
She’s amazing and deserves all our love! https://t.co/1w6XBVAlUO

— Simmi Chhabra (@chhabra_simmi) August 7, 2022

Such small gesture helps greatly in boosting the morale of any athlete….kudos to our PM @narendramodi for taking interest in sports and speaking to athletes https://t.co/TD65lA3VPS

— Ashish Mishra🇮🇳 (@Scorpion_Ashish) August 7, 2022

Absolutely @narendramodi Ji. No doubt about it. Your this approach and encouragement to our sports fraternity will go long way in developing our sports and will pay way to create many more sport stars in coming days, which will bring laurels to Nation 🇮🇳 https://t.co/Vo2BuRUnUa

— Gowthaman (@sgowthaman) August 7, 2022