30 september 2024 : Nita Ambani, a member of the International Olympic Committee, hosted a grand celebration for India’s Olympians and Paralympians at her luxurious Mumbai residence, Antilia. The event, held on Sunday evening, brought together 140 athletes from various disciplines, marking the first time such a gathering of Olympians and Paralympians took place under one roof.
Athletes were honored for their dedication and achievements, which have brought pride to the nation. Speaking before the event, titled ‘United in Triumph,’ Nita Ambani expressed her admiration: “We are so proud of each and every one of them. Today, we honor their hard work and show them the love and respect they deserve.” She also voiced her hope that the event could spark a movement for unity and inclusiveness in sports and life.
Dressed in a stunning red saree, Nita Ambani posed with Olympic medalists Manu Bhaker and Neeraj Chopra, as well as Paralympic medalists Navdeep Singh and Mona Agarwal. She introduced these champions as “Bharat ki Shaan” (Pride of India) and invited applause from photographers in their honor.
The celebration also saw attendance from several renowned Olympians and Paralympians, including Murlikant Petkar (India’s first Paralympic gold medalist), Devendra Jhajharia (the first Indian to win two Paralympic golds), and other athletes like Sumit Antil, Nitesh Kumar, Harvinder Singh, and Praveen Kumar.
In addition to athletes, Bollywood stars Ranveer Singh and Kartik Aaryan, who portrayed Murlikant Petkar in the film Chandu Champion, were present, as were sports icons Sania Mirza, Karnam Malleswari, and Pullela Gopichand.
The Ambani family, including Mukesh Ambani, welcomed the athletes and celebrities. Many athletes shared pictures from the event on social media. Badminton player Tanisha Crasto posted a photo with Radhika Merchant, who is engaged to Mukesh and Nita Ambani’s younger son, Anant Ambani. Radhika attended the event in a stylish long dress, while Anant and Akash Ambani were also seen in photos shared by various attendees.
