President, PM, CM lead in congratulating winner

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 24 : India as a whole and Manipur in particular erupted in joy as Mirabai clinched a silver medal at the Tokyo Games with a total lift of  202 kg in the women's 49 kg category weightlifting competition to open India's account.
This is not the first time for an athlete from Manipur to bag a medal at the Olympics. In the 2012 London Olympics, Mary Kom won the Bronze in the flyweight (51 Kg) category.
Following her olympic glory, President Ram Nath Kovind led the country in congratulating Mirabai. The President took to twitter and wrote "Heartiest Congratulations to Mirabai for starting the medal tally for India in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 by winning silver medal in weightlifting."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi too joined the wishes and said her feat will inspire the future generations.
"Could not have asked for a happier start to @Tokyo2020! India is elated by @mirabai_chanu's stupendous performance. Congratulations to her for winning the Silver medal in weightlifting. Her success motivates every Indian. #Cheer4India #Tokyo2020," Modi tweeted.
Sports Minister Anurag Thakur and his predecessor Kiren Rijiju too congratulated the weightlifter for bagging a medal for India on the first day of the competitions here. "India's 1st medal on day 1 ! @mirabai_chanu wins SILVER in women's 49kg weightlifting! India is so proud of you Mira !," Thakur wrote on his twitter handle.
Rijiju added: "India strikes first medal at Olympic #Tokyo2020 Mirabai Chanu wins silver Medal in 49 kg Women's Weightlifting and made India proud Congratulations @mirabai_chanu! #Cheer4India."
Rahul Gandhi also wished Chanu on her incredible feat.
Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Education, RK Ranjan also expressed joy over Mirabai's achievement and posted, "A big congratulations to our sister from Manipur, Mirabai Chanu for creating history by clinching India's first silver medal in 49 kg category in weightlifting in Olympics' history."
Governor Najma Heptulla also hailed Saikhom Mirabai Chanu.
"Mirabai Chanu has made India proud in general and Manipur in particular with the achievement," she said in her congratulatory note.
The achievement will, indeed, act as an inspiration for her colleagues and juniors, the note  added.
The Governor also conveyed her best wishes to keep up the good work and earn many more medals in her future career.
Expressing pride over the achievement, Chief Minister N Biren  wrote, "What a day! What a win for India. Saikhom Mirabai Chanu wins Silver in Weightlifting Women's 49kg category. India has opened its tally in the Tokyo Olympics. You have made the country proud today. Bravo!!!" on his Facebook wall.
Iputhou Pakhangbana Yaipharey, Ima Leibak Manipurna Yaipharey, Bharat Imana Yaipharey !!! were what Chief Minister N Biren and Saikhom chanted together as they interacted via video call later.
The video was uploaded on the CM's Facebook wall too.
The thrill and excitement was clearly seen on the faces of both.
With smiles on his face, the Chief Minister informed Mirabai that he earlier attended a meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah where in Minister of State for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER), Jitendra Singh, key officials of DONER, and other NE States' Chief Ministers were present and all were pleased on being informed about her feat at the Tokyo Games.
The Union Home Minister led in applauding her, he informed.
She will no longer need to collect rail tickets as an appropriate post, which shall be recommended by the Union Home Minister later in an evening meeting, will be offered leaving aside the Rs 1 crore cash reward announced by the State Government, the CM said.
While maintaining that a big surprise is awaiting her, the CM also stated that the whole State is proud of her. The Chief Minister also lauded the efforts of guardians, coaches and others with which she was able to script a new history for the country.
"Today's feat should not be your last, she should strive for more and scale new success in the future," the CM encouraged.
The Chief Minister also applauded the coaches and officials for helping her achieve success.
Mirabai also thanked all in the country and Manipur for unending encouragement, wishes and prayers.
"With everyone's wishes and prayers, I am able to win a silver medal. I am really excited to win the medal and it will certainly help more people know about Manipur. I really appreciate the people of Manipur whose love and support have enabled me to scale such heights of success," said Mirabai.
"It is your dedication, hard work and blessings of Iputhou Pakhangba and Shri Govindaji that you could attain the current position," asserted the Chief Minister who also maintained that people of Manipur will be eagerly waiting to receive her.
Though the Manipuri player from Nongpok Kakching did not say when exactly she will reach Manipur, she said that she will be leaving Japan for India on July 26.
India's lone Olympic gold medallist and former shooter Abhinav Bindra too took to the social networking platform to wish Mirabai.
"Many many Congratulations to @mirabai_chanu on winning India's first medal at #Tokyo2020. Such An inspiring performance that will be remembered for a long time to come and will inspire generations. Well done."
Personalities from various walks of life also congratulated the player.