From the Chief Editor

You’ve done India proud, hats off to you!

The Teenager Today proudly dedicates the present issue to Neeraj Chopra, the Golden Boy of India, who created history by winning the first-ever gold medal for the country in the Track and Field events in any of the Olympics, so far. Coincidentally, as he came down from the podium wearing the gold medal, Neeraj devotedly dedicated his medal to Milkha Singh, one of the best-loved athletes of our country, whom we were privileged to feature on our cover, with a beautiful cover story, last month. The Teenager Today salutes you, Neeraj, on behalf of all our readers across the country and outside India.

Together with Neeraj, we salute Mirabai Chanu, as well, who won the first medal for India at Tokyo 2020 on the very opening day, P. V. Sindhu, the first Indian female athlete who won a medal in two consecutive Olympics (Sindhu was featured on our cover in October 2017). We also salute Lovlina Borgohain, Ravi Kumar Dahiya, Bajrang Punia, and of course, our men’s hockey team. You have done India and all of us really proud! Hats off to each one of you!

These young athletes have brought home 7 medals (1 gold, 2 silver and 4 bronze) which, as Gp. Capt. Achchyut Kumar points out in his cover story, accounts for a remarkable 20% of the total number of medals India has won till date. A tally of 7 medals in a single Olympics is the biggest harvest of medals India has ever had, improving upon the two silver and four bronze medals won at the 2012 London Olympics. They have really infused fresh hope in to the minds of all who now look up to 2024 Paris Olympics for a greater harvest of medals!

Though our women’s hockey team missed getting a medal, our girls did an excellent job under the captaincy of Rani Rampal, particularly in defeating team Australia considered to be far more superior to our team. They really deserve our applause, and it is heartening to see that the country has welcomed them back in that spirit. Cheerio girls! You have done your best, and The Teenager Today wishes you all the best in the 2024 Paris Olympics, hardly three years away. It is our firm hope that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and the government of Orissa will continue to stand by them and that more private sponsors too will follow suit.

Alfonso Elengikal, SSP, has the unique distinction of being the longest-serving editor of The Teenager Today, an office he held for over 17 years. He is the bestselling author of You Can Make A Difference, You Are Destined For The Skies, Let The Real You Stand Up! and Discover The Hero Within You published by Better Yourself Books.

Alfonso Elengikal

Alfonso Elengikal, SSP, has the unique distinction of being the longest-serving editor of The Teenager Today, an office he held for over 17 years. He is the bestselling author of You Can Make A Difference, You Are Destined For The Skies, Let The Real You Stand Up! and Discover The Hero Within You published by Better Yourself Books.