PM Modi Meets CWG Champions: Lovlina’s Flag Gesture, Mirabai’s Tears Steal the Show

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted India’s Commonwealth Games 2026 medallists at his residence in New Delhi, celebrating their performances in Glasgow and hearing first-hand accounts of the triumphs, struggles and lighter moments behind their medal-winning campaigns.

India finished fourth with 39 medals, including 13 gold, at the truncated Commonwealth Games. Seven of the country’s gold medals came in boxing, underlining the strength of India’s performance in the sport.

During the interaction, boxer Lovlina Borgohain, who won silver in the 75kg category, received special praise from Modi for objecting to a distorted representation of the Indian flag at a restaurant during the Games.

Recalling the incident, Lovlina said the athletes had been celebrating after their strong performances when she noticed the distorted flag. She politely raised the issue with the restaurant staff, who subsequently corrected it.

Another emotional moment came during Modi’s conversation with weightlifting champion Mirabai Chanu, who won gold in the 48kg category with a Games-record lift of 190kg.

The Prime Minister asked her about breaking down in tears on the podium. Mirabai said the moment represented an outpouring of emotions she had carried for four difficult years, including the disappointment of missing a Paris Olympics medal by just one kilogram, injuries and family problems.

As the Indian flag rose and the national anthem played, she said, she found it impossible to hold back her tears. In a lighter moment, Modi also fed her a laddu during their conversation.

Boxer Narender Berwal, who won gold in the +90kg category, brought laughter to the gathering with an anecdote involving a Pakistani boxer he had defeated at the 2015 World Military Games.

Modi, who was accompanied by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse and IOA President P T Usha, said athletes have a unique power to inspire the country.