2 weeks ago
Virat Kohli, Abhinav Bindra, Bajrang Punia Extend Independence Day Wishes
India celebrates its Independence Day on August 15 every year.
This year, some of India's most famous sportspersons shared special messages for the day.
Cricket legend Virat Kohli posted an Independence Day picture with the Indian flag and the Red Fort on Instagram.
Shooting champion Abhinav Bindra remembered watching the national flag rise.
He said he hopes every child in India gets the right and opportunity to play, because play is joy and freedom.
Wrestler Bajrang Punia said the tricolour is a symbol of the country's struggle, honor and pride.
Bindra made history at the 2008 Beijing Olympics by winning India's first individual Olympic gold medal in shooting.
Around the same time, Indian athletes returned from the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow with 39 medals.
India finished fourth overall, with strong performances in boxing, judo, weightlifting and para sports.
Several women athletes, including boxers, weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, judoka Asmita Dey and para-athlete Sharmila Dhankar, won gold.
Virat Kohli shared an Independence Day graphic featuring the Indian tricolour and the Red Fort on his Instagram Story.
Abhinav Bindra said he hopes every child in India has the right and opportunity to play, calling play 'joy' and 'freedom'.
Bajrang Punia described the tricolour as a symbol of the country's struggle, honor, and pride in his Independence Day message.
Bindra won the men's 10-metre air rifle gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, becoming the first Indian to win an individual Olympic gold.
India finished fourth at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow with 39 medals, including 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze.
- Who
- Indian sportspersons Virat Kohli, Abhinav Bindra and Bajrang Punia, along with Indian athletes at the Commonwealth Games 2026.
- What
- Extended Independence Day wishes through patriotic messages on social media, including references to India's Commonwealth Games 2026 performance.
- Where
- New Delhi, India (article origin); wishes were shared on social media platforms Instagram Story and X.
- When
- August 15, Independence Day, which fell on a Saturday.
- Why
- To celebrate India's Independence Day and honour the national flag and the country's struggle for freedom.
Key facts
- Event
- Indian Independence Day greetings by sportspersons
- Date
- August 15 (Saturday)
- Sportspersons
- Virat Kohli, Abhinav Bindra, Bajrang Punia
- Bindra's Olympic Achievement
- 2008 Beijing Olympics men's 10m air rifle gold - first individual Olympic gold for India
- Commonwealth Games 2026
- Held in Glasgow; India finished 4th with 39 medals (13 gold, 17 silver, 9 bronze)
- Sports Not in CWG Programme
- Wrestling, badminton, table tennis, hockey, shooting
- Women's Gold Medallists
- Jaismine Lamboria, Preeti Pawar, Priya Ghanghas, Sakshi Chaudhary, Arundhati Choudhary, Mirabai Chanu, Asmita Dey, Sharmila Dhankar
- Platforms
- Instagram Story and X
Quotes
Abhinav Bindra
Indian Olympic gold medallist in 10‑metre air rifle
“"I'll never forget standing there and watching the tricolour rise. This Independence Day, my hope is that every child in India has the right and opportunity to play. Because play is joy. Play is freedom. And every child deserves both."”
livemint.com
“"August 15 -- Independence Day. The tricolor is not just our identity, it is a symbol of our struggle, honor, and pride. We have fought for the country, and we will continue to fight for the country. Jai Hind! Vande Mataram!"”
livemint.com
Sources
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