Swift intervention by the Ministry of External Affairs saved the blushes for shooting ace Abhinav Bindra on Saturday, after the Olympian gold medallist’s coach lost her passport while in Germany en route to Brazil, where he is attending the ISSF World Cup, a test event for the upcoming Olympics. The tournament, starting on Friday, assumes significance as the shooters will be competing at the same venue which will host the Olympics and will get a feel of it. But preparations weren’t going to plan after the loss of his coach’s passport. Bindra tweeted out the incident, writing to external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and requesting for help.
@SushmaSwaraj 1/2 Ma'am my coaches passport is stolen in Cologne and need assistance. We are on our way to Rio for the pre Olympics
— Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) April 9, 2016
To this, Swaraj responded a few hours later, asking for Bindra’s contact details.
Please give me your phone number.@Abhinav_Bindra https://t.co/LyEPitRh2Q
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) April 9, 2016
She then directed Gurjit Singh, India’s ambassador to Germany, to intervene and help out Bindra and his coach.
@Abhinav_Bindra @SushmaSwaraj
— Gurjit Singh (@AmbGurjitSingh) April 9, 2016
Mr Bindra. Please tell me the problem. We will help you. Ambassador Gurjit Singh
After the matter was brought to a safe and satisfactory conclusion, Bindra thanked the Union minister and the envoy to Germany for their timely help and assistance.
My gratitude to @SushmaSwaraj and @AmbGurjitSingh for intervening and working towards getting things done 🙏🙏🙏🙏
— Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) April 9, 2016
Having accepted the ace shooter’s gratitude, Swaraj was quick to remind him of the upcoming Olympics and said the best way to return the favour would be by winning a gold medal in Brazil.
@Abhinav_Bindra So you have found the Passport and u r going to Brazil. Remember - our demand for Olympic Gold Medal stands. @AmbGurjitSingh
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) April 10, 2016
With PTI inputs