Jalandhar, August 31,2021: Lovely Professional University (LPU) today felicitated 13 of its studentsincluding Neeraj Chopra and ten members of Indian Men’s Hockey Team for makingIndia proud at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. While Neeraj Chopra was awarded Rs. 50lakhs and a ‘Gold Javelin’ for winning the only Gold for India at TokyoOlympics 2020, Manpreet Singh and nine other members of the Hockey Teamreceived Rs 85 Lakhs. The gala ‘Honoring Ceremony’ was held at LPU campus todayto celebrate the return of its Olympic Champions to their alma mater with theCEO of NITI Aayog, Shri Amitabh Kant as the Chief Guest.
The university alsoannounced a reward of Rs. 10 lakh for Bronze medal winner Bajrang Punia and areward of Rs. 25 Lakhs for Paralympics High Jump Silver medal winner NishadKumar; both of whom are students of the university.
To commemorateNeeraj’s Gold medal winning throw, the University also unveiled a special87.58-metre ‘Neeraj Chopra Marg’, a pathway leading to LPU’s sprawling sportscomplex which offers world class sports infrastructure. The distance of theroad is same as Neeraj’s winning Olympics throw. The University made a uniquerecord this year with 14 of its students representing India at Tokyo Olympics2020 in Wrestling, Hockey, Athletics (javelin throw and sprinting) and theParalympics. 13 out of these 14 made India proud by winning an Olympic medal.
Shri Amitabh Kant,CEO, NITI Aayog said, “I would like to take this moment to congratulate India’sOlympic Champions and their alma mater, LPU. They have brought joy and hope tomillions of Indians. It is commendable to see the efforts that the universityhas put behind sports.” He further added, “Sports is extremely important forthe all-rounded development of an individual. Students who do well in sportsfare much better in life compared to those who only focus on studies. I wish mykids become sportsmen and not IAS officers. We would be able to bring much moremedals to India when all of us start thinking like this.”
Neeraj Chopra said,“It is a proud feeling to come back to one’s alma mater after winning the GoldMedal at the Olympics. LPU and my faculty have supported me in every waypossible to help achieve my dream of winning an Olympic Gold for India. I amconfident that the University will produce many more top-quality sportspersonswho will win international laurels for India in the future.”
Mr. Ashok Mittal,Chancellor, Lovely Professional University said, “We are proud beyond words tohave thirteen of our students including Neeraj, the men’s hockey teammembers and Bajrang win medals at theTokyo Olympics 2020. They have made the whole nation proud with theirachievements and their feat will motivate millions of youngsters across thecountry to believe in their ability and win more medals for India in thefuture. It is a moment of great joy for us to welcome them back to their almamater and celebrate their achievements. LPU has been making extensive effortsover the last few years to promote sporting talent in the country which hasresulted in several of our students’ winning medals at national andinternational competitions over the years.”
The ceremony also sawinteresting moments where the members of the Indian Hockey Team played a shortcommemorative hockey match along with Neeraj Chopra. Post the match, Neerajalso demonstrated the Javelin throwing technique to the members of the Indian HockeyTeam. Neeraj also signed on a Javelin and presented it LPU as memorabilia. Themembers of the Indian Hockey Team presented a Hockey Stick with theirsignatures on it to the University. The members of the Hockey Team who are LPUstudents include Captain Manpreet Singh (MBA), Rupinderpal Singh (MBA),Harmanpreet Singh (MBA), Mandeep Singh (BA), Shamsher Singh (MBA), DilpreetSingh (BA), Varun Kumar (MBA), Gurjant Singh (MA. History) , Hardik Singh (MA)and Simranjeet Singh (MBA).