- By Prabhjot Singh
PARIS (TIP): Indian community in France has every reason to feel pleased about the performance of its home country athletes in the 2024 Olympic games. Manu Bhaker has not only scripted history by becoming the first ever Indian athlete from independent India to win two medals in a single Olympics but has also warmed the cockles of hearts of the members of nearly hundred-thousand strong Indian community settled in this country holding its third Olympic Games since 1900.
Though many credit an Anglo-Indian Norman Pritchard for winning a pair of silver medals in the 1900 Olympic Games, no other Indian athlete has ever won two medals in the same edition of the prestigious quadrangular mega sporting event.
Manu Bhaker has not only emerged as a new sporting icon of India but also become the darling of the Indian community worldwide. This Jhajjar girl is the most sought-after Indian sportsperson here. She, however, wants to stay focused on her third and final event, 25 m Air Pistol, on August 2.
An India House has been set up in the Olympic city for the first time. It has emerged as a new center for the Indian community to interact with not only members of the Indian Olympic squad but also some of the stars of yesteryears, including non-Olympic sports.
Rahul Dravid, who just relinquished charge as the coach of the Indian cricket team, was a star attraction on the first three days of the Games. PT Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association, and tennis hero Mahesh Bhupathi are among the others having intimate interactions with the leaders of the expatriate community.
Many ardent followers of Indian sports on arrival in Paris get a pleasant surprise when they find their compatriots, now settled in this francophone nation, greeting them while offering them useful tips for their safe stay in the Olympic city.
Daljeet Singh, for example, who moved to France from Mohali about three decades ago, is now an activist of the Indians in France organizations. It is this body that keeps organizing events for the community. He works at CDG Airport.
The Indian community of France was delighted when one of its youngsters, Prithika Pavade, was chosen to represent France in Table tennis events of the Games. It may be a mere coincidence that she ran into India’s top TT player, Manika Batra, in round two of women’s singles.
There are several gurdwaras in Paris. Prominent of them is the one at Bobigny. On Sundays, all gurdwaras hold special congregations besides organizing community kitchens regularly.
Every day, hundreds of Indian expatriates, turn up to watch various events, especially those featuring athletes from India. They carry tricolors.
Paris is dotted with several restaurants run by people of Indian origin. Some of them have volunteered to offer free food to Indian athletes and their family members.