Indian Shooting's big breakthrough at the world stage was delivered by the Indian Army's Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. Rathore had put himself in contention for an Olympic medal with steady performances since winning 2 Gold medals at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. Rathore's immense self-belief and unwavering focus saw him become independent India's first individual silver medalist at Athens. Rathore's Double Trap silver ushered in a new wave of optimism in Indian sport and led to a massive improvement in facilities and shattered the pessimism that surrounded India's Olympic sportspersons. 2004 Olympic finalist Suma Shirur and Tennis semi-finalist Mahesh Bhupathi recollect their memories of Rathore's triumph at Athens.

WION Broadband Olympics Edition: Rathore ushers in new era of self-belief

<p>Hitting out at Congress leader Kapil Sibal for his remarks on the February 26 IAF strike, Union Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Monday asked him to go to Balakot in Pakistan to check after the latter cited foreign media reports on "no losses" in the operation.</p>

<p>Amid the war of words between BJP and Congress on the air raid, Rathore tweeted, "You believe international media over own Intelligence agencies? You seem happy when media quoted by you says "no losses in the strike"?...and sir, for us you went to London to find evidence against EVMs, will you please also go to Balakot to check?"</p>

<p>He was quoting a tweet of Sibal in which the Congress leader had accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of politicising terror.</p>

<p>Sibal had tweeted, "Modiji, Is international media - New York Times, London based Jane's Information Group, Washinton Post, Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, Reuters reporting no proof of militant losses at Balakot pro-Pakistan? You are guilty of politicising terror?"</p>

<p>Locking horns after Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief B S Dhanoa's remarks on Monday on the air strike, BJP had charged Congress with politicising the issue while the Opposition party sought the source of statements being made by BJP leaders with regards to the number of casualties at the Jaish-e-Mohammed camp in Balakot.</p>

<p>Addressing the media, Dhanoa had said fighter pilots had hit the target given to them, adding that he could not give the number of casualties suffered as it is for the government to clarify.</p>

<p>Earlier on Sunday, BJP chief Amit Shah, while addressing a rally in Ahmedabad, had claimed that 250 terrorists were killed in the air strike.</p>

<p>India carried out the operation 12 days after 40 CRPF personnel were killed when a JeM suicide bomber attacked their convoy in Pulwama.</p>

<p>Hours after the air raid on February 26, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale had told the media that IAF fighter planes hit the largest militant camp of JeM at Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, eliminating a large number of Jaish terrorists and training commanders.</p>


Hitting out at Congress leader Kapil Sibal for his remarks on the February 26 IAF strike, Union Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Monday asked him to go to Balakot in Pakistan to check after the latter cited foreign media reports on "no losses" in the operation.

Hitting out at Congress leader Kapil Sibal for his remarks on the February 26 IAF strike, Union Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Monday asked him to go to Balakot in Pakistan to check after the latter cited foreign media reports on "no losses" in the operation. Amid the war of words between BJP and Congress on the air raid, Rathore tweeted, "You believe international media over own Intelligence agencies? You seem happy when media quoted by you says "no losses in the strike"?...and sir, for us you went to London to find evidence against EVMs, will you please also go to Balakot to check?" He was quoting a tweet of Sibal in which the Congress leader had accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of politicising terror. Sibal had tweeted, "Modiji, Is international media - New York Times, London based Jane's Information Group, Washinton Post, Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, Reuters reporting no proof of militant losses at Balakot pro-Pakistan? You are guilty of politicising terror?" Locking horns after Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief B S Dhanoa's remarks on Monday on the air strike, BJP had charged Congress with politicising the issue while the Opposition party sought the source of statements being made by BJP leaders with regards to the number of casualties at the Jaish-e-Mohammed camp in Balakot. Addressing the media, Dhanoa had said fighter pilots had hit the target given to them, adding that he could not give the number of casualties suffered as it is for the government to clarify. Earlier on Sunday, BJP chief Amit Shah, while addressing a rally in Ahmedabad, had claimed that 250 terrorists were killed in the air strike. India carried out the operation 12 days after 40 CRPF personnel were killed when a JeM suicide bomber attacked their convoy in Pulwama. Hours after the air raid on February 26, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale had told the media that IAF fighter planes hit the largest militant camp of JeM at Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, eliminating a large number of Jaish terrorists and training commanders.

IAF Airstrike: Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore takes a jibe at Sibal, asks him to go to Balakot to check

<p>Union Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore had given an open fitness challenge to Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan, cricketer Virat Kohli and shuttler Saina Nehwal on Tuesday.</p>

<p>The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports posted a video on his official Twitter handle and promoted the campaign #HumFitTohIndiaFit.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He shot the video himself being dressed in the formal attire and did ten push-ups without a pause while asking the viewers to share their "fitness mantra."</p>

<p><em>Watch the video here:</em></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HumFitTohIndiaFit?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HumFitTohIndiaFit</a> ???<br />
<br />
Post pictures and videos of how you keep yourself fit and send a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FitnessChallenge?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FitnessChallenge</a> to your friends on social media. Here's my video ?and I challenge <a href="https://twitter.com/iHrithik?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@iHrithik</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/imVkohli?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@imVkohli</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/NSaina?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NSaina</a> to join in? <a href="https://t.co/pYhRY1lNEm">pic.twitter.com/pYhRY1lNEm</a></p>
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ra_THORe/status/998800601243881472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The Olympian also said that he is inspired by the fitness of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also influenced by Modi's motto of fit and healthy India.</p>

<p>Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan accepted the challenge and shared his fitness secret. Hrithik&nbsp;advocated the promotion of environment-friendly ways to keep up good health like walking, jogging and cycling.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He posted a video on Twitter with a caption, "This initiative makes me so proud ! Bravo @Ra_THORe #HumFitTohIndiaFit &nbsp;#FitnessChallenge this is how I commute to my office everyday. sitting static in a car is such a waste. Walk, cycle, jog, feel the earth, feel India ?? get FIT!"</p>

<p><em>Watch the video here:</em></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This initiative makes me so proud ! Bravo <a href="https://twitter.com/Ra_THORe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Ra_THORe</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HumFitTohIndiaFit?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HumFitTohIndiaFit</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FitnessChallenge?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FitnessChallenge</a> this is how I commute to my office everyday. sitting static in a car is such a waste. Walk, cycle, jog, feel the earth, feel India ?? get FIT! <a href="https://t.co/twoI1vna9c">pic.twitter.com/twoI1vna9c</a></p>
— Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) <a href="https://twitter.com/iHrithik/status/998959071020617734?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Earlier this year Rathore also initiated and monitored the launch of the Khelo India School Games that promote sports among students across schools of India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The initiative aims to provide a scholarship of Rs. 5 lakh each year to 1,000 athletes for a period of eight years.</p>

<p>Mr. Rathore, who recently took charge of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, was a former professional shooter and as a shooter, competing in the double trap event, he won a silver medal in the 2004 Olympic Games.</p>


Union Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore has given an open fitness challenge to Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan, cricketer Virat Kohli and shuttler Saina Nehwal

Union Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore had given an open fitness challenge to Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan, cricketer Virat Kohli and shuttler Saina Nehwal on Tuesday. The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports posted a video on his official Twitter handle and promoted the campaign #HumFitTohIndiaFit. He shot the video himself being dressed in the formal attire and did ten push-ups without a pause while asking the viewers to share their "fitness mantra." Watch the video here: #HumFitTohIndiaFit ??? Post pictures and videos of how you keep yourself fit and send a #FitnessChallenge to your friends on social media. Here's my video ?and I challenge @iHrithik, @imVkohli & @NSaina to join in? pic.twitter.com/pYhRY1lNEm — Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) May 22, 2018 × The Olympian also said that he is inspired by the fitness of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also influenced by Modi's motto of fit and healthy India. Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan accepted the challenge and shared his fitness secret. Hrithik advocated the promotion of environment-friendly ways to keep up good health like walking, jogging and cycling. He posted a video on Twitter with a caption, "This initiative makes me so proud ! Bravo @Ra_THORe #HumFitTohIndiaFit #FitnessChallenge this is how I commute to my office everyday. sitting static in a car is such a waste. Walk, cycle, jog, feel the earth, feel India ?? get FIT!" Watch the video here: This initiative makes me so proud ! Bravo @Ra_THORe #HumFitTohIndiaFit #FitnessChallenge this is how I commute to my office everyday. sitting static in a car is such a waste. Walk, cycle, jog, feel the earth, feel India ?? get FIT! pic.twitter.com/twoI1vna9c — Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) May 22, 2018 × Earlier this year Rathore also initiated and monitored the launch of the Khelo India School Games that promote sports among students across schools of India. The initiative aims to provide a scholarship of Rs. 5 lakh each year to 1,000 athletes for a period of eight years. Mr. Rathore, who recently took charge of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, was a former professional shooter and as a shooter, competing in the double trap event, he won a silver medal in the 2004 Olympic Games.

Watch: How Hrithik Roshan responds to Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore's fitness challenge

<p>According to reports, the central government carried out a cabinet reshuffle on Monday wherein Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore was allotted the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. Rathore will continue to retain the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Piyush Goyal given additional charge of Finance Ministry till Arun Jaitley recovers, Rajyavardhan Rathore new Information & Broadcasting Minister. <a href="https://t.co/Rv1HH7cJiN">pic.twitter.com/Rv1HH7cJiN</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996056907235262465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Smriti Irani will retain the Textiles Ministry.</p>

<p>Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal will look after the Finance Ministry until Arun Jaitley's recovers.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>"During the period of the indisposition of Shri Arun Jaitley, Minister; the portfolios of Minister of Finance and Minister of Corporate Affairs held by him, be temporarily assigned to Shri Piyush Goyal, in addition to his existing portfolios," read the official release.</p>

<p>SS Ahluwalia will be relieved of the charge of Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation. He has now been assigned the Ministry of State, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">SS Ahluwalia assigned the portfolio of MoS in Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, relieved of his charges of MoS in Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation. Alphons Kannanthanam relieved of charge of MoS in Ministry of Electrionics and Information Technology. <a href="https://t.co/PqI5ovpemw">pic.twitter.com/PqI5ovpemw</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996058511002910720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Minister of State, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, KJ Alphons, will now look after the Tourism Ministry.</p>

<p>Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday underwent a successful kidney transplant at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), an official at the premier health institute said.</p>

<p>Jaitley, 65, was admitted to the hospital on Saturday and taken to the operation theatre at 8 am today.</p>

<p>The minister, suffering from a kidney ailment, has been undergoing dialysis for the last one month.</p>


Smriti Irani will retain Textiles Ministry. Piyush Goyal will temporarily look after the Finance Ministry until Arun Jaitley's recovers

According to reports, the central government carried out a cabinet reshuffle on Monday wherein Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore was allotted the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. Rathore will continue to retain the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Piyush Goyal given additional charge of Finance Ministry till Arun Jaitley recovers, Rajyavardhan Rathore new Information & Broadcasting Minister. pic.twitter.com/Rv1HH7cJiN — ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018 × Smriti Irani will retain the Textiles Ministry. Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal will look after the Finance Ministry until Arun Jaitley's recovers. "During the period of the indisposition of Shri Arun Jaitley, Minister; the portfolios of Minister of Finance and Minister of Corporate Affairs held by him, be temporarily assigned to Shri Piyush Goyal, in addition to his existing portfolios," read the official release. SS Ahluwalia will be relieved of the charge of Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation. He has now been assigned the Ministry of State, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology. SS Ahluwalia assigned the portfolio of MoS in Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, relieved of his charges of MoS in Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation. Alphons Kannanthanam relieved of charge of MoS in Ministry of Electrionics and Information Technology. pic.twitter.com/PqI5ovpemw — ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018 × Minister of State, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, KJ Alphons, will now look after the Tourism Ministry. Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday underwent a successful kidney transplant at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), an official at the premier health institute said. Jaitley, 65, was admitted to the hospital on Saturday and taken to the operation theatre at 8 am today. The minister, suffering from a kidney ailment, has been undergoing dialysis for the last one month.

Smriti Irani out, Rajyavardhan Rathore gets I&B ministry in cabinet reshuffle

<p>Terming India`s performance at the ongoing Commonwealth Games a `fantastic start`, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Sunday hailed the country`s immense potentials.</p>

<p>India has so far bagged six gold, two silver and three bronze medals to take the fourth sport in countries medal tally.</p>

<p>"It`s a fantastic start. We feel happy to see medals coming in and women athletes leading.</p>

<p>When our flag flies high, it`s a proud moment for all Indians. We have a lot of potentials and it needs to be tapped, " Rathore told ANI.</p>

<p>India started Day 4 of the quadrennial event with Punam Yadav`s gold in women`s 69kg weightlifting event. The Glasgow edition bronze-medallist won the event with a combined lift of 222kg (100kg+122kg).Yadav`s celebration was followed by celebrations at her city in Varanasi.</p>

<p>"She has always worked hard and deserves the medal," family of Yadav said.Apart from her, Yadav 16-year-old Manu Bhaker also bagged a gold medal in women`s 10m Air Pistol finals event and took India`s gold medal tally to six.</p>

<p>Seasoned campaigner Heena Sidhu claimed silver in the same event.After Sidhu`s glory, her mother Rominder Kaur Sidhu thanked God for blessing her daughter with such strength."I am very happy. My daughter has made our city and the entire nation proud. I am thankful to God that he blessed my daughter with such glory," Heena`s mother said.</p>

<p>Another shooter Ravi Kumar bagged a bronze medal in the Men`s 10m Air Rifle, taking India`s tally to ten.Indian weightlifters continued their medal rush at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games as Vikas Thakur won a bronze to gift India its eighth medal in the sport.</p>

<p>Earlier, weightlifters Venkat Rahul Ragala and Sathish Kumar Sivalingam clinched a gold medal in the men`s 85 kg category and 77 kg category respectively.Other gold medals have come from weightlifters Sanjita Chanu and Saikhom Mirabai Chanu in the 53 kg category and 48 kg category respectively.&nbsp</p>


India has so far bagged six gold, two silver and three bronze medals

Terming India`s performance at the ongoing Commonwealth Games a `fantastic start`, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Sunday hailed the country`s immense potentials. India has so far bagged six gold, two silver and three bronze medals to take the fourth sport in countries medal tally. "It`s a fantastic start. We feel happy to see medals coming in and women athletes leading. When our flag flies high, it`s a proud moment for all Indians. We have a lot of potentials and it needs to be tapped, " Rathore told ANI. India started Day 4 of the quadrennial event with Punam Yadav`s gold in women`s 69kg weightlifting event. The Glasgow edition bronze-medallist won the event with a combined lift of 222kg (100kg+122kg).Yadav`s celebration was followed by celebrations at her city in Varanasi. "She has always worked hard and deserves the medal," family of Yadav said.Apart from her, Yadav 16-year-old Manu Bhaker also bagged a gold medal in women`s 10m Air Pistol finals event and took India`s gold medal tally to six. Seasoned campaigner Heena Sidhu claimed silver in the same event.After Sidhu`s glory, her mother Rominder Kaur Sidhu thanked God for blessing her daughter with such strength."I am very happy. My daughter has made our city and the entire nation proud. I am thankful to God that he blessed my daughter with such glory," Heena`s mother said. Another shooter Ravi Kumar bagged a bronze medal in the Men`s 10m Air Rifle, taking India`s tally to ten.Indian weightlifters continued their medal rush at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games as Vikas Thakur won a bronze to gift India its eighth medal in the sport. Earlier, weightlifters Venkat Rahul Ragala and Sathish Kumar Sivalingam clinched a gold medal in the men`s 85 kg category and 77 kg category respectively.Other gold medals have come from weightlifters Sanjita Chanu and Saikhom Mirabai Chanu in the 53 kg category and 48 kg category respectively.

India proud to see national flag flying high at CWG 18

<p>Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra on Friday resigned as the&nbsp;National Observer for shooting as well as Chairman of the Target Olympic Podium (TOP) scheme&#39;s Identification Committee.</p>

<p>The shooting legend took this decision to avoid any potential &#39;conflict of interest&#39; charge arising out of his association with private sports projects.</p>

<p>Bindra took to his Twitter account to announce his decision and also posted the letter he wrote to Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">New years come with exciting new prospects. Will be looking to expand and run <a href="https://twitter.com/abhinavbindratp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@abhinavbindratp</a> centres across the country and make them accessible to our athletes. Will be resigning public posts of Govt Observer shooting and</p>
&mdash; Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) <a href="https://twitter.com/Abhinav_Bindra/status/944201504700825601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Chairman TOP Scheme Athlete Identification Committee with immediate effect. I thank the <a href="https://twitter.com/IndiaSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IndiaSports</a> for the opportunity provided to serve. I will always remain accessible to any fellow athlete and look forward to what 2018 holds.</p>
&mdash; Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) <a href="https://twitter.com/Abhinav_Bindra/status/944201508182044672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>In his letter, Bindra informed he would be deeply associating himself with private projects while expanding his own &#39;Abhinav Bindra Targeting Performance&#39; (ABTP) centres across India.</p>

<p>He added it would be prudent on his part to disassociate himself from the two government positions. The Indian shooter further asked the minister to relieve him so that the sanctity of these two posts is retained.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-cards="hidden" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="und"><a href="https://t.co/wpKtWYR5Rj">pic.twitter.com/wpKtWYR5Rj</a></p>
&mdash; Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) <a href="https://twitter.com/Abhinav_Bindra/status/944201530042806273?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Bindra&#39;s resignation has brought down the number of national observers to 9 from the originally appointed 12 Olympians.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Bindra took this decision to avoid any 'conflict of interest' charge arising out of his association with private sports projects

Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra on Friday resigned as the National Observer for shooting as well as Chairman of the Target Olympic Podium (TOP) scheme's Identification Committee. The shooting legend took this decision to avoid any potential 'conflict of interest' charge arising out of his association with private sports projects. Bindra took to his Twitter account to announce his decision and also posted the letter he wrote to Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. New years come with exciting new prospects. Will be looking to expand and run @abhinavbindratp centres across the country and make them accessible to our athletes. Will be resigning public posts of Govt Observer shooting and — Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) December 22, 2017 × Chairman TOP Scheme Athlete Identification Committee with immediate effect. I thank the @IndiaSports for the opportunity provided to serve. I will always remain accessible to any fellow athlete and look forward to what 2018 holds. — Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) December 22, 2017 × In his letter, Bindra informed he would be deeply associating himself with private projects while expanding his own 'Abhinav Bindra Targeting Performance' (ABTP) centres across India. He added it would be prudent on his part to disassociate himself from the two government positions. The Indian shooter further asked the minister to relieve him so that the sanctity of these two posts is retained. pic.twitter.com/wpKtWYR5Rj — Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) December 22, 2017 × Bindra's resignation has brought down the number of national observers to 9 from the originally appointed 12 Olympians.

Abhinav Bindra resigns from two 'govt posts' to focus on 'private projects'

<p>Former defence minister Manohar Parrikar said on Saturday that it was an &quot;insulting question&quot; from a television anchor that had led to last year&#39;s surgical strikes in PoK.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The &quot;insulting question&quot; had been asked of union minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On June 4, 2015, Naga militant group NSCN-K had ambushed an Indian Army convoy in Manipur&#39;s Chandel district and killed 18 jawans.</p>

<p>PTI reported Parrikar as saying, when he was informed about the incident, &quot;I felt insulted....A small terrorist organisation of 200 people killing 18 Dogra soldiers was an insult to the Indian Army and we sat in the afternoon and sat in the evening and worked out the (plan of) first surgical strike which was conducted on 8th June morning in which about 70-80 terrorists were killed (along the India-Myanmar border).&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;It was a very successful strike,&quot; Parrikar said. PTI reported him as adding that the only injury to the Army was a leech attaching itself to a soldier&#39;s leg.</p>

<p>Parrikar, who is now chief minister of Goa and was speaking there before a gathering of industrialists, then went on to talk about the &quot;insulting question&quot;.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
&quot;But one question (from media) hurt me. (Union minister) Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, an ex-Armyman, was on TV and he was explaining about all kinds of search operations. An anchor asked him &#39;would you have the courage and capability of doing the same on the western front&#39;,&quot; PTI reported him as saying.</p>

<p>&quot;I listened very intensely but decided to answer when the time came. The starting of September 29 (2016) surgical strike on the western border was 9th of June, 2015....We planned 15 months in advance. Additional troops were trained. Equipment was procured on priority basis,&quot; he said.</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


The 'insulting question' was asked of union minister Rajyavardhan Rathore

Former defence minister Manohar Parrikar said on Saturday that it was an "insulting question" from a television anchor that had led to last year's surgical strikes in PoK. The "insulting question" had been asked of union minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. On June 4, 2015, Naga militant group NSCN-K had ambushed an Indian Army convoy in Manipur's Chandel district and killed 18 jawans. PTI reported Parrikar as saying, when he was informed about the incident, "I felt insulted....A small terrorist organisation of 200 people killing 18 Dogra soldiers was an insult to the Indian Army and we sat in the afternoon and sat in the evening and worked out the (plan of) first surgical strike which was conducted on 8th June morning in which about 70-80 terrorists were killed (along the India-Myanmar border)." "It was a very successful strike," Parrikar said. PTI reported him as adding that the only injury to the Army was a leech attaching itself to a soldier's leg. Parrikar, who is now chief minister of Goa and was speaking there before a gathering of industrialists, then went on to talk about the "insulting question". "But one question (from media) hurt me. (Union minister) Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, an ex-Armyman, was on TV and he was explaining about all kinds of search operations. An anchor asked him 'would you have the courage and capability of doing the same on the western front'," PTI reported him as saying. "I listened very intensely but decided to answer when the time came. The starting of September 29 (2016) surgical strike on the western border was 9th of June, 2015....We planned 15 months in advance. Additional troops were trained. Equipment was procured on priority basis," he said.

'Insulting question' from TV anchor led to surgical strikes in PoK: Ex-defence minister Parrikar