Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, on August 14, 2026, interacted with the members of the Indian Army contingent, which bagged 16 medals – 08 Gold, 07 Silver & 01 Bronze – at the recently-concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. Of the total 39 medals – 13 Gold, 17 Silver & 09 Bronze – clinched by India during the Games, the Indian Defence Forces personnel claimed 18 medals (16 by Indian Army and 02 by Indian Navy).
In his address, Raksha Mantri commended the strong will power and firm conviction of the Indian Defence Forces for overcoming physical & mental pressure and making the nation proud at an international sporting event. Terming the achievement as “extraordinary”, he asserted that these sportspersons are a source of inspiration to the people, particularly the youth, as they are a “perfect blend of a soldier and a champion”.On women pugilists securing 04 of the 06 Gold medals in Boxing, Rajnath Singh stated that the feat is a testimony to India’s growing Nari Shakti. The achievement will motivate more girls to pursue the sport and join the defence forces, he added.
Raksha Mantri acknowledged the fact that Indian champions are emerging from every corner of the country, highlighting that today the field of sports has been democratised, and it is no longer the exclusive privilege of a select few. He extended his best wishes to the athletes for upcoming events such as the Asian Games and the Olympics.
