Sports
oi-Ashish Rana
Indian boxer Narendra Berwal’s story about a Pakistani boxer made PM Narendra Modi laugh and got a witty response from Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. Narendra Berwal won silver medal in men’s 90+ kg boxing category at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, he shared a story during a meeting with PM Modi in Delhi.
Indian boxer Narendra Berwal’s anecdote about a Pakistani boxer’s humorous aversion to the name Narendra amused PM Modi and prompted Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to comment that the name is feared in Pakistan. Berwal won a silver medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
What Pakistani Boxer Told Narender
According to Boxer Narendra Berwal, the Pakistan boxer noticed that his name and his coach both was named Narendra, he then also pointed out how India’s PM is also Narendra.
Berwal quoted him as saying, “Bhai jaan… Mujhe Narendra naam se nafrat ho gayi hai,” meaning, “Brother dear, I have come to hate the name ‘Narendra’!”
This story made PM Modi laugh during the interaction with players, later the same conversation was shared on PM Narendra Modi’s social media account.
India’s Historic Boxing Show In Glasgow
India ended the 2026 Commonwealth Games with 39 medal, including 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze, coming fourth in overall medal tally.
Berwal’s story came during the celebration of India’s best performance at Glasgow Commonwealth Games and he was from the 10 Indian boxers who won medals. India won seven gold, three silver medals in boxing.
Mansukh Mandaviya Reacts To Narender Berwal’s Story
Later Mansukh Mandaviya responded to boxer’s account on X, while writing, “Narendra naam ka khauf hai Pakistan mein (The name ‘Narendra’ is feared in Pakistan).”
नरेन्द्र नाम का खौफ है पाकिस्तान में… pic.twitter.com/h4Kk0AxPqp
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) August 10, 2026
The comment referred from the incident Berwal told from 2015 World Military games. He said he defeated Pakistani boxer and both boxers later went to hospital after suffering cuts when their head collided.
