 "Shobhaa De gets sporting lesson from Abhinav Bindra and co for Twitter dig at Indian Olympians")
On Monday evening, as India was on the verge of yet another disappointing day at the Rio Olympics 2016, socialite/celebrity writer Shobhaa De decided to vent her frustration with a rather off-the-mark remark. “Goal of Team India at the Olympics: Rio jao, selfies lo, khaali haat wapas aao (Go to Rio, click selfies, return home empty handed). What a waste of money and opportunity,” she wrote.
Goal of Team India at the Olympics: Rio jao. Selfies lo. Khaali haat wapas aao. What a waste of money and opportunity.
— Shobhaa De (@DeShobhaa) August 8, 2016
If De thought she was expressing the views of a billion Indians through her sarcastic/cheeky comment, she couldn’t have been more mistaken. While there was admittedly a lot of frustration among fans and ex-sportspersons regarding the below-par showing in the three days of Rio 2016 Olympics, the prominent thought was one of support for our Olympians. Abhinav Bindra, who himself narrowly missed out on a medal on Monday, was quick to defend the performances of his fellow Olympians.
that's a tad unfair. You should be proud of your athletes perusing human excellence against the whole world.
— Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) August 9, 2016
Actress Gul Panag supported Bindra and the Olympians, drawing attention to the difficulties they have faced.
And do so despite of and in spite of there being no infra & institutional support, and no sporting culture @DeShobhaa
— Gul Panag (@GulPanag) August 9, 2016
Lots of lament about medal tally, but no lament about lack of fitness culture (which builds a sporting nation) @Abhinav_Bindra @DeShobhaa
— Gul Panag (@GulPanag) August 9, 2016
Impact Shorts
More ShortsNot even worth a selfie. If scaring babies was Olympic sport, @DeShobhaa would strike gold! https://t.co/NLNEOtR6Jh pic.twitter.com/7KjQQGAipl
— Nishant Gambhir (@madnish30) August 8, 2016
Badminton player Jwala Gutta, who will be in action in women’s doubles matches on Thursday, said the problem was the attitude of people like Shobhaa De.
maybe things will change when the attitude of people like urself change!!!!😐😐 #Proudindian #proudsportsperson
— Gutta Jwala 💙 (@Guttajwala) August 8, 2016
Former India hockey captain Viren Rasquinha was also outraged by De’s remarks.
Ms. De, kindly run on the hockey pitch for 60 mins & hold a rifle like Abhinav and Gagan. Bit tougher than u think https://t.co/XwZFKqZJjn
— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) August 8, 2016
The tide turned against De very quickly. Here’s how Twitterati responded.
Hope one day you get to realize the value of sports to ones life & that of Olympics to a nation. #SportBuildsCharacter&UnitesAll
— Rahul Mehra (@TheRahulMehra) August 8, 2016
That's most unfair Shobha. Pl chk what it takes to even qualify for Olympics. None is gifted a junket in this league https://t.co/ixRI9c9uOn
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) August 8, 2016
Unsporting & crass for socialites to frivolously dis Indian athletes who have succeeded against all odds to get as far as Rio
— Milind Deora | मिलिंद देवरा (@milinddeora) August 8, 2016
Sports is about winning and losing : a game well played bug lost doesn't mean we shoukd slam them : likes of @DeShobhaa shld be condemned
— pallavi ghosh (@_pallavighosh) August 8, 2016
Yes, winning is the goal. But representing your country at the Olympics is a HUGE deal too regardless of the results. Proud of r athletes.
— Abhishek 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧 (@juniorbachchan) August 9, 2016
Every Indian athlete who is at Rio needs to be lauded and respected for even making that journey! Winning is important but not critical.
— SUHEL SETH (@Suhelseth) August 8, 2016
De, however, has was quoted by CNN News18 as saying that she won’t apologise for her tweet. _Also read: Shobhaa De trolls Indian contingent at Olympics; gets trolled by Twitterati in return_
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