New Delhi, August 10: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday praised Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain for raising objections to a distorted map of India displayed at a restaurant in Glasgow during the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The Prime Minister commended the Olympic medallist for her awareness and sense of national responsibility, calling her actions a gesture that would be remembered for a long time.
Modi made the remarks while interacting with Indian athletes who returned from Scotland after the Commonwealth Games. During the meeting, he asked Lovlina about the incident that had gone viral on social media.
“Kya hua wo restaurant waale se jhagda kar rahi thi? (What happened, you were fighting with that restaurant guy?)” the Prime Minister asked in a light-hearted manner.
Lovlina, who won the silver medal in the women’s 75kg category, smiled and responded that the conversation with the restaurant management was polite and respectful.
“It was a happy occasion, sir. We were celebrating and I didn’t like to see the distorted map. I politely told them and they have made the changes also,” she said.
PM Modi calls the gesture memorable
Praising the boxer, Modi said it was significant that she noticed the issue even while celebrating her sporting achievement.
“To be able to recognise the significance of that map at a time when you were celebrating and the Games were over, I can tell you truthfully, that video was not ordinary. It will be remembered by people for a very long time,” the Prime Minister said.
What happened in Glasgow?
The controversy began when Lovlina visited a Glasgow restaurant with the Indian boxing contingent for a celebratory dinner after India achieved a historic haul of 10 boxing medals at the Commonwealth Games 2026.
While looking at the restaurant’s menu and logo, the Assam-based boxer noticed that India’s Northeast region was missing from the map displayed. She immediately brought the issue to the attention of the restaurant management.
“Please don’t take this the wrong way. I felt a little hurt by this. In the map of India, our North East is missing. Even outside, the map that’s displayed has cut off the Northeast. As someone from the Northeast, that really hurts us. That’s all I wanted to say. Please keep this in mind next time. Thank you so much,” Lovlina told the management.
Her calm and respectful approach received widespread appreciation online, with many praising her for highlighting the issue without creating a confrontation.
Restaurant apologises, promises correction
Following the public attention, the restaurant, Mister Singh’s India, issued an official statement apologising for the incorrect depiction of India’s map.
“We unequivocally apologise for the wrong depiction. We will change the logo with the proper map. It was our humble privilege and honour that we served Team India after their fantastic achievements in the Commonwealth Games. All athletes and guests thoroughly enjoyed their evening, and these memories will stay with us,” the restaurant said.
Indian Embassy takes up the matter
The Indian High Commission in the United Kingdom also took note of the controversy and raised the issue with the establishment, seeking corrective action.
The incident has drawn attention to the importance of accurately representing India’s territorial boundaries, particularly the Northeast region. Lovlina’s intervention was widely seen as a reminder of the sensitivity surrounding India’s map and national identity.
With Prime Minister Modi publicly acknowledging her actions, the boxer’s response has been praised not only as an act of patriotism but also as an example of responsible representation of the country abroad.