In a touching display of support and pride, Assam is rallying behind its star boxer, Lovlina Borgohain, as she prepares for the Paris Olympics.
The state has sent her Assamese 'gamosas', chocolates, and heartfelt messages, hoping to inspire her to clinch her second Olympic medal.
During a heartfelt ceremony held on Tuesday, the atmosphere was charged with emotion and optimism.
From budding players to senior sportspersons, well-wishers filled a large board with messages for Lovlina.
Her sister's mother-in-law carefully packed a gamosa and chocolates, handing them to Hemanta Kalita, the secretary general of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI).
"With these gifts, please convey my blessings to Lovlina. We have full faith that she will make us proud again," the elderly woman said, her face alight with pride and emotion.
Kalita, who will be heading to Paris next week, gently advised that the chocolates might melt and stain the gamosa, prompting the woman to reluctantly retract the chocolate bars.
"This shows the depth of our affection for her. We are confident she will surpass her previous achievements," remarked Lovlina's sister Lima, who was actively participating in the signature campaign alongside her mother-in-law and son.
"Our entire family calls upon every Indian to pray for Lovlina's success, so she can bring greater glory to our nation," Lima added, reflecting the collective hope of their community.
Assam Sports Minister Nandita Garlosa, present at the event, echoed the sentiments of unity and support from the entire state. "The entire state of Assam stands united in wishing her the very best. May she continue to make us proud and bring honor to our nation," Garlosa affirmed.
Hemanta Kalita expressed his optimism about Lovlina clinching the gold this time. "For the past six to seven years, even before the Tokyo Olympics, she has dedicated herself tirelessly. She is in her comfort zone in the 45 kg category, and I am confident she will win the gold this time," he asserted.
Kalita, who also serves as the secretary of the Assam Amateur Boxing Association (AABA), noted that Lovlina has already settled into the Games Village and is in excellent form.
Assessing the overall expectations for Indian boxers at the Olympics, he predicted, "Of the six participants, we anticipate securing three medals – two in women's events and one in men's. Even if we miss out on three medals, we are assured of returning with at least two."
Accompanying him to Paris will be a 'good luck gamosa' signed by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for Lovlina, the sole participant from Assam in the Paris Olympics.
Lovlina, the second boxer from Assam to compete in the Olympics after Shiva Thapa, who represented India in the 2012 London Olympics and 2016 Rio Olympics, made history in Tokyo by becoming the first Assamese to claim an Olympic medal, a bronze.
Should she secure another medal, Lovlina would be the first Indian boxer to achieve back-to-back Olympic medals and the third Indian athlete, following wrestler Sushil Kumar (2008 & 2012) and shuttler PV Sindhu (2016 & 2020), to win consecutive individual medals in the post-independence era.
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