How Indian athletes came together to maintain Janta Curfew

Indian athletes showed their solidarity by staying at home to fight the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

2 minBy Olympic Channel Writer
Parupalli Kashyap is now the only top-ranked Indian player in the fray

With the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic across the globe, countries have been taking various measures to fight the outbreak. 

Following directives from the honourable Prime Minister of India on Friday, citizens from across the nation came together to maintain Janta Curfew (Public Curfew) on Sunday.

Athletes from different disciplines appealed to the nation to follow the Prime Minister’s orders and tackle the COVID-19 outbreak, while also giving us a glimpse of what they have been up to.

Gold medal winner in the light welterweight division at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, boxer Manoj Kumar took to Twitter to show his and his town’s support for the Janta Curfew by showcasing a deserted street.

Boxer Gaurav Bidhuri also posted his support for the curfew on Twitter and spoke of making the best of a difficult situation.

Indian women’s hockey team’s Rani Rampal, meanwhile, showed how to stay fit and keep practising even while maintaining the curfew at one’s home.

FIH Player of the Year for 2019 and Indian men’s hockey team’s captain Manpreet Singh showed us creative ways to practice at home.

Shooter Anjum Moudgil also let the world know what she’s been up to and showed us ways to stay safe and busy with an elaborate video comprising photos and a caption for each.

Former Olympian Suma Shirur, who holds the joint world record in the 10 metre air rifle event and also an Arjuna Award recipient, decided to put her culinary skills to the test while self-isolating during the Janta Curfew.

Parupalli Kashyap, the first male player from India to reach the quarter-final of the men's singles at the Olympics in 2012, showed his solidarity along with his parents, who came out to the balcony to applaud those who are working for the country amid the outbreak.

Star Indian paddler Manika Batra was also seen on her balcony where she clapped her hands in solidarity for the brave men and women that are currently on the frontline in India’s battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the COVID-19 outbreak spreads at a rapid pace, it’s imperative that everyone does their part to combat it and the Indian athletes showed us how to fight it by following government directives and standing together in solidarity.

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