Shri Vikram Verma,
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports inaugurated the exhibition
of the 1952 Helsinki Olympics thus commemorating the beginning
of the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the
1952 Helsinki Olympics at National Stadium here today. The members
of Indian Olympic Team of 1952 were also felicitated on the
occasion.
Shri Verma said that
this event will inspire our budding sports persons to reach
even greater heights in the sporting world. He recalled his
first memories of 1952 Olympics :the Golden success of Indian
Hockey team, Sri Kha Shaba Digvijai Jadav , the first individual
Olympic Bronze medallist (wrestling) and Shri D. Mangave who
stood fourth in wrestling in 1952. The interesting thing about
today was that along with the presence of legendary sports persons
of 1952 , the probables of 2004 Olympics were also present in
the function.
The Minister said
that 1952 Olympic was one of the last Olympics when sports were
not commercialized and sportsman spirit reigned high.Today ,
sports have become very competitive . To meet the genuine needs
of our sports persons ,he called upon State Governments, Corporate
Houses and Federations to join hands with the Ministry of Youth
Affairs and Sports to make contributions for the cause of sports.
H.E. Glen Lindholm
, the Ambassador of Finland, in his address said that Helsinki
Olympics held after the World war were a signal that times of
war were over. A total o f 4925 athletes participated from
69 countries. The Indian contingent consisted of 87 members.
16 members of that contingent were present today who were given
special medals at the ceremony .
Commander Nandi Singh
led the representation of Indian hockey team of 1952 which won
the gold at Helsinki.He said that this was an occasion to get
together for the members of Indian team ,some of whom had not
met for the last 40 years. Other members present were Sri Keshava
Datt, Sri Raghbir Lal Sharma( Hockey), Sri Netai Chand Bysack,
Mr. Tarit Kumar Sett,(Cycling), Shri Khushi Ram, Shri Vir Singh
( Gymnastics), Sri Eswara Kamieni (Weightlifting), Sri Chandan
Singh Rawat, Sri Sailen Manna ( Football). Family members of
late Sri Kha Shaba Digvijai Jadav, Late Sri Shrirang Vithoba
Jadav, Late Sri Krishnarao Dondiram Mangave and Late Sri Udham
Singh were present to receive medals on their behalf.
Sh. V.K. Malhotra,
Sh. Tarlochan Singh, Sh. Priya Ranjan Das Munshi, Raja Randhir
Singh, Sh. Rajiva Srivastava and Sh. Shekhar Dutt, and officials
of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and Sports Authority
of India were present on the occasion.
