Railway Minister Vaishnaw Meets Mirabai Chanu, Announces Rs 2 Cr Reward

Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday felicitated weightlifter Mirabai Chanu who won a silver medal in the Tokyo Olympics, and announced a reward of Rs 2 crore and promotion in her job in the Northeast Frontier Railway.

The minister said she has inspired billions around the world with her talent, handwork and grit.

"It was great to meet and congratulate the pride of India and honour of Indian Rly, @mirabai_chanu. Also felicitated her & announced Rs. 2 Cr , a promotion and more. She has inspired billions around the world with her talent, handwork and grit.

Keep winning for India!" Vaishnaw tweeted.

It was great to meet and congratulate the pride of India and honour of Indian Rly, @mirabai_chanu. Also felicitated her & announced Rs. 2 Cr , a promotion and more. She has inspired billions around the world with her talent, handwork and grit.
Keep winning for India! pic.twitter.com/gYRftarOrr

— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) July 26, 2021

Chanu, who returned to the country on Monday evening, lifted a total of 202kg (87 kg in snatch and 115 kg in clean and jerk) in the 49kg category to better Karnam Malleswari's bronze in the 2000 Sydney Olympics on Saturday.

Chanu, hailing from Manipur, was promoted as an Officer on Special Duty (Sports) in the Northeast Frontier Railway in April, 2018.

She had earlier met current sports minister Anurag Thakur and former sports minister Kiren Rijiju in the national capital.

Before her departure from Tokyo earlier on Monday, she had tweeted: "Heading back to home. Thank you #Tokyo2020 for memorable moments of my life."

Heading back to home 🇮🇳, Thank you #Tokyo2020 for memorable moments of my life. pic.twitter.com/6H2VpAxU1x

— Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (@mirabai_chanu) July 26, 2021

With her medal-winning performance in Tokyo, Chani has laid to rest the horrors of 2016 Rio Olympics, when she failed in two out of three lifts in snatch and was unable to register a valid lift in clean and jerk.

Chanu had won gold in the 2017 World Championships and 2018 Commonwealth Games in the 48 kg category.

She also won a bronze in the Asian Championships held in Tashkent in April, setting a new world record in clean and jerk by lifting 119 kg in one of her attempts.

(With Agency Inputs)