Mumbai: Deep Grace Ekka and Namita Toppo could soon be receiving a brand new car each.
The duo from Odisha was part of the Indian women’s hockey team which scripted history at the recent Tokyo Olympics by finishing fourth.
Tata Motors announced on Thursday it will be felicitating Indian sportspersons who narrowly missed a medal at Tokyo by presenting them an Altroz premium hatch vehicle. The special Tata Altroz will come finished in High Street Gold colour.
All members of the Indian women’s hockey will qualify for the reward after losing the bronze-medal play-off match 1-2 to Argentina. The team had stunned heavyweights Australia 1-0 in the quarterfinal to make its maiden Olympic semis.
On Wednesday, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik felicitated Deep Grace and Namita along with bronze-winning male hockey duo Amit Rohidas and Birendra Lakra.
Aditi Ashok, too, will receive the car for her gallant fourth-place show at Tokyo. The 21-year-old from Bengaluru missed a podium finish by just one stroke.
“For India, this Olympics was about a lot more than medals and podium finishes. We are fortunate to celebrate the effort and spirit of our athletes representing our country, competing under the highest pressure against the absolute best talent the world has to offer and coming extremely close to a podium finish. They might have missed a medal but they have won the hearts of millions of Indians, with their dedication and are a true inspiration for budding athletes in India,” said Shailesh Chandra, president, passenger vehicle business, Tata Motors.
“As the leading homegrown automotive brand, we truly understand the spirit of ‘Dare to Dream and Achieve’, as it is a culture that drives us in Tata Motors as well. It is our privilege to honour the spirit of these path-breakers and present them a small token that signifies the Gold Standard, the Altroz.”
Mahindra Group head Anand Mahindra had earlier announced an XUV700 vehicle for India’s golden boy Neeraj Chopra, who struck gold in javelin throw.
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