Mirabai Chanu has become a national sensation after winning a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics for weightlifting in the 49-kg category. She is now an inspiring example for thousands of people proving that if one is determined enough, anything is possible.
Welcome home @mirabai_chanu. Everyone in the state is absolutely delighted to have you back here in Manipur. Your achievement in the #Tokyo2020 is no mean feat and we are so proud of you.@narendramodi @ianuragthakur pic.twitter.com/BPygS2e8Om
— N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) July 27, 2021
According to East Mojo, Chanu has been rewarded with Rs 1 crore by the Manipur government, Rs 2 crore by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and promotion in her job in the Northeast Frontier Railway. The Manipur government has also decided to appoint her as the Additional Superintendent of Police (Sports) in the police department, reports The Indian Express.
However, despite nationwide support and the extravagant welcome she received in Manipur, it seems like Mirabai Chanu hasn’t forgotten her humble life. In a picture that has now gone viral, Chanu can be seen sitting on the floor while having simple home-cooked meals.
Poverty is never an excuse for achieving one’s dreams. India's most loved Saikhom Mirabai Chanu at her humble home in Manipur after winning Silver Medal in the Tokyo Olympics. pic.twitter.com/dBdIZrUz28
— Rajat Sethi (@RajatSethi86) July 28, 2021
Even actor R Madhavan exclaimed that his “cannot be real” and had a loss of words.
Hey this cannot be true. I am at a complete loss of words. https://t.co/4H7IPK95J7
— Ranganathan Madhavan (@ActorMadhavan) July 29, 2021
Chanu also took to her official Twitter account to share a picture of herself sitting on the floor and eating ghar ka khana after 2 years.
That smile when you finally eat ghar ka khana after 2 years. pic.twitter.com/SrjNqCXZsm
— Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (@mirabai_chanu) July 29, 2021
People online lauded her simplicity and said that despite achieving such a remarkable feat, Chanu hasn’t forgotten her roots.
Mirabai Chanu sitting on the floor and eating food, in the traditional Indian way! https://t.co/sBBPErmxem
— Rajagopal PS🇮🇳 (@RajagopalPS8) July 29, 2021
For all the lower middle class children like us eating in the floor is a daily part of our life
But if you are passionate about your dream then even after having thousands of difficulties you can make history in the World
& @mirabai_chanu proved it again pic.twitter.com/M9eUjNZv1D
— Biswajit Majumder (@BiswajitINTR) July 29, 2021
Poverty is never an excuse for achieving one’s dreams. India's most loved Saikhom Mirabai Chanu at her humble home in Manipur after winning Silver Medal in the Tokyo Olympics. pic.twitter.com/dBdIZrUz28
— Rajat Sethi (@RajatSethi86) July 28, 2021
Simplicity, worth millions. Sitting on floor and having meal. ❤ @mirabai_chanu . Please be like the way you are. https://t.co/JXDlrkd9uI
— Pratik Patel (@CFAPratik) July 29, 2021
At the same time success is no excuse to be ashamed of/drift away from your roots!! You are an inspiration @mirabai_chanu 😍❤️🥳 https://t.co/esoKW45L82
— AkiS (@Aki4SSR) July 29, 2021
Tall trees have deep roots @mirabai_chanu https://t.co/Wc8VkKxqm6
— Myra Rout (@routmyra1998) July 30, 2021
She is also in search of the truck drivers who were kind enough to give her a lift from her village to her training academy in Imphal, which was 30-km away. According to Hindustan Times, instead of spending money on transport, Chanu’s mother used that money to spend on her diet which was crucial for her training.
Her mother, Saikhom Ongbi Tombi Devi, runs a tea stall in the village.
“As I run a tea stall here, the trucks usually stopped and took her to the centre. Early morning, trucks used to leave from the market square. We would know which of them is going towards her training centre and would send her with them. She never complained about it. She would go alone every day.”
Chanu is now looking for those truck drivers so she could thank them, seek their blessings, and help them in any way she can.
What an inspiration this woman is!