From competing for food to a gold medal: the stories behind India’s Asian Games winners | World news | The Guardian https://share.google/hGS6O9BGunF93wPUm
Niha Masih writes a column every week on India in the Guardian.In her first few articles she was following the tradition of the Guardian in that the articles were negative, short on facts and anti Hindu. I challenged her on those articles and pointed out the bias and inaccuracies in her articles. To her credit she has taken this on board and her articles are now covering positive stories from this vast and diverse land.
In today’s article Niha writes about the great success of the Indian contingent at the Asia Games in Japan. India won 21 Gold, 27 Silver and 37 Bronze medals. Niha mentions how sons and daughters of poor families have achieved success in the world of sports. Neeru Dhanda who received a Gold in Trap Shooting was so poor that she used to practice with tin cans as the target.
The Indian Women’s Hockey team defeated China in the final and won Gold. Four players of the team were from the North Eastern States. One of them Lalremsiami Hmorzote was from Mizoram. It sends a message that in today’s India it is possible to reach for the skies whatever your background. In boxing India won 3 Gold medals becoming the best boxing nation even above China. In Golf Pranavi Urs became the first Indian woman to win individual Gold.
Apart from the Asian Games Indian sportsmen and women have triumphed over many countries. Satwiksairaj Ranki Reddy and Chirag Shetty defeated China’s He Jiting and Ren Xiangyu in men’s doubles Badminton at China masters in September 2026. Apart from that Saina Nehwal has won 24 international titles in Badminton and P.A.Sandhu is the first and only Indian to become the badminton world champion and only the second individual from India to win two consecutive medals at the Olympic Games.
There are many more upcoming champions. On a broader level this indicates that the new generation of Indian’s are confident and whatever their background they can reach the top. It also sends the message that the spirit of India and the unity of India is strong in all its diverse states. All have a chance to reach for the skies under the premiership of PM Modi.
With Niah’s articles the signs are good that the Guardian is beginning to see India in a different light.
Niti Mehta
6 October 2026.
www.nitinmehta.co.uk
Niha Masih writes a column every week on India in the Guardian.In her first few articles she was following the tradition of the Guardian in that the articles were negative, short on facts and anti Hindu. I challenged her on those articles and pointed out the bias and inaccuracies in her articles. To her credit she has taken this on board and her articles are now covering positive stories from this vast and diverse land.
In today’s article Niha writes about the great success of the Indian contingent at the Asia Games in Japan. India won 21 Gold, 27 Silver and 37 Bronze medals. Niha mentions how sons and daughters of poor families have achieved success in the world of sports. Neeru Dhanda who received a Gold in Trap Shooting was so poor that she used to practice with tin cans as the target.
The Indian Women’s Hockey team defeated China in the final and won Gold. Four players of the team were from the North Eastern States. One of them Lalremsiami Hmorzote was from Mizoram. It sends a message that in today’s India it is possible to reach for the skies whatever your background. In boxing India won 3 Gold medals becoming the best boxing nation even above China. In Golf Pranavi Urs became the first Indian woman to win individual Gold.
Apart from the Asian Games Indian sportsmen and women have triumphed over many countries. Satwiksairaj Ranki Reddy and Chirag Shetty defeated China’s He Jiting and Ren Xiangyu in men’s doubles Badminton at China masters in September 2026. Apart from that Saina Nehwal has won 24 international titles in Badminton and P.A.Sandhu is the first and only Indian to become the badminton world champion and only the second individual from India to win two consecutive medals at the Olympic Games.
There are many more upcoming champions. On a broader level this indicates that the new generation of Indian’s are confident and whatever their background they can reach the top. It also sends the message that the spirit of India and the unity of India is strong in all its diverse states. All have a chance to reach for the skies under the premiership of PM Modi.
With Niah’s articles the signs are good that the Guardian is beginning to see India in a different light.
Niti Mehta
6 October 2026.
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