Swaraj to Bindra's rescue after passport fiasco
The union minister, on a lighter note, reminded the shooter that 'our demand for Olympic Gold Medal stands'.
New Delhi: Swift intervention by Ministry of External Affairs ensured shooting ace Abhinav Bindra was accompanied by his coach whose passport got stolen in Germany while the duo were travelling to Rio de Janeiro for the ISSF World Cup, a test event for the upcoming Olympics.
The tournament, starting Friday, assumes significance as the shooters will be competing at the same venue which will host the events during Olympics and will get a feel of it.
Bindra, India's lone Olympic gold medallist, wrote on his Twitter handle:
My gratitude to @SushmaSwaraj and @AmbGurjitSingh for intervening and working towards getting things done ðŸ™ðŸ™ðŸ™ðŸ™
— Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) April 9, 2016
Almost all the shooters (pistol/rifle/shotgun) representing India in 2016 Rio Olympics are taking part in the event in the Brazilian city.
The star names, among others, include Gagan Narang, Jitu Rai, Heena Sidhu and Manavjit Singh Sandhu.
Bindra had earlier tweeted:
@SushmaSwaraj 1/2 Ma'am my coaches passport is stolen in Cologne and need assistance. We are on our way to Rio for the pre Olympics
— Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) April 9, 2016
@SushmaSwaraj and are stuck. Need your help in order to secure a new travel document and Brazil visa to be able to compete successfully. 2/2
— Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) April 9, 2016
Swaraj then asked the Indian Embassy in Germany to look into the matter. And India's Ambassador to Germany Gurjit Singh ensured the matter was resolved swiftly.
@Abhinav_Bindra @SushmaSwaraj
— IndianAmb in Germany (@AmbGurjitSingh) April 9, 2016
Mr Bindra. Please tell me the problem. We will help you. Ambassador Gurjit Singh
The 33-year-old Bindra, who clinched a historic gold in men's 10-m air rifle at Beijing Olympics in 2008, thanked Swaraj for her gesture.
The union minister, on a lighter note, reminded the shooter that "our demand for Olympic Gold Medal stands".
@SushmaSwaraj @AmbGurjitSingh with your good wishes ma'am. Will do my best and will not leave any stone unturned in this endeavor
— Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) April 9, 2016