There was a time when India took hockey to the world stage and led the charge. However, due to the advent of unprecedented changes in the rules of the game, Indian hockey gradually failed to keep pace with the times and fell behind in world-class competitions. After rising from the dust, the journey towards glory started finally under the captaincy of Manpreet Singh this year and India secured a medal at this year’s Olympics.

 

 

Congratulating the team, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said, "This is a New India, a confident India. This is a historic day that will always be present in the minds of every Indian. Congratulations to Team India for bringing home bronze. He has given new hope to the youth of our country. When the Prime Minister met the winning team, the team signed the hockey stick and presented the stick to all the players.  

 

Interestingly, the coveted hockey stick of the Indian team has been now included in the online bid for gifts received by the Prime Minister. One can acquire the stick and participate in the online bidding going on pmmementos.gov.in/.

 

Importantly, the proceeds from the auction will be spent on namami gange project, a programme initiated for the conservation and rejuvenation of the country's life-giving river Ganga.

 

The e-auction which began on September 17 will continue till October 7.