Reliance Foundation Launches India House in Paris: A Haven for Indian Athletes and Delegates
In a move to support Indian athletes and delegates abroad, Reliance Foundation, led by Nita Ambani, has established the India House in Paris. This facility aims to provide a comfortable and familiar environment for Indian guests, athletes, and officials involved in sports, especially those linked with the Olympic Games.
The India House will offer comprehensive services to ensure that they do not feel the pressure of being in a foreign land and can focus on their performance without additional stress.
Nita Ambani herself was present at the inauguration, accompanied by several notable personalities. Among them was Abhinav Bindra, India’s gold medalist from the 2008 Olympics, and Jay Shah, the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and son of Amit Shah. Indian Olympic Committee President PT Usha also attended the event.
However, the inauguration was not without controversy. During an interaction between Nita Ambani and PT Usha, a minor incident sparked a debate. When Nita Ambani hesitated to fully shake PT Usha’s hand and then wiped her hand on her sari before greeting other guests, some attendees perceived this behavior as racially insensitive.
This perception was fueled by past allegations of similar behavior against Nita Ambani.
Despite this, Nita Ambani’s leadership in Indian sports remains significant. She has been a pivotal figure in promoting India’s involvement in the Olympic Games, and there is optimism that India might host the 2036 Olympics, with Reliance Foundation and other Reliance entities playing a crucial role in this endeavor.
India’s journey at Paris Olympics has been mixture of victory and defeat. So far, only Manu Bhaker has won a medal for India. She won bronze medal in 10 meter air rifle on Sunday. Hopefully, there is more good news to come for India from Paris Olympics 2024.