Manu Bhaker, the 22-year-old Indian shooting sensation and double bronze medallist at the Paris 2024 Olympics, made headlines again, this time for participating in her first-ever voting experience. On October 4, Bhaker cast her vote in the Haryana assembly elections and took the opportunity to encourage the country’s youth to exercise their voting rights responsibly.
First Voting Experience
Bhaker expressed her excitement after casting her vote for the first time. She remarked, “This is the first time that I voted. I was quite excited and I am glad I’ve gotten that out of the way now.” Her words reflected not only her personal satisfaction but also a broader message urging young voters to take part in shaping the future of the nation.
#WATCH | Olympic medalist & Indian shooter Manu Bhaker arrives at a polling station in Jhajjar to cast her vote for the #HaryanaElelction pic.twitter.com/LPEigw00mn
— ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2024
Active Beyond Sports
While taking a break from competitive shooting, Bhaker has been making her presence felt in other spheres, including social and civic duties. As a role model for the younger generation, she uses her platform to spread important messages. On September 25, Manu Bhaker took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to respond to online trolls who criticized her for wearing her Olympic medals at public events.
#WATCH | On casting her first vote, Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker says, "Being the youth of this country, it is our responsibility to cast our vote for the most favourable candidate. Small steps lead to big goals… I voted for the first time…" https://t.co/806sYLcpoe pic.twitter.com/vQ5j4m7fFB
— ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2024
Bhaker’s Response to Critics
Having faced mockery for frequently displaying her medals, Manu Bhaker had initially chosen to stay silent. However, she decided to address the issue, stating that she takes pride in showing her Olympic achievements to the public. In her social media post, she explained, “The two bronze medals I won at the Paris 2024 Olympics belong to India. Whenever I am invited for any event and asked to show these medals, I do it with pride. This is my way of sharing my beautiful journey.”
A Stellar Olympic Journey
At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Bhaker emerged as one of India’s brightest stars, securing two bronze medals. Her first came in the Women’s 10m Air Pistol event, which also marked India’s first medal of the games. Bhaker’s focus and precision throughout the qualifying rounds were key to her success, as she remained composed under pressure and earned a spot on the podium.
Her Olympic triumph continued as she teamed up with Sarabjot Singh for the Mixed Team 10m Air Pistol event. Their teamwork and coordination proved to be crucial, resulting in another bronze for India. This remarkable achievement made Bhaker the first Indian athlete to win two medals at a single edition of the Olympics, solidifying her place in Indian sports history.
A Proud Representation of India
Despite facing negativity from critics, Bhaker remains unfazed and proudly represents her country through her achievements. Her journey from the shooting range to the voting booth reflects her dedication not only to her sport but also to her role as a responsible citizen. By voting and urging others to do the same, she continues to inspire the youth to take an active role in their communities and their country’s future.
