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Several Indian athletes joined hands to back Indian tourism amid the ongoing Maldives row. Names like Suresh Raina, PV Sindhu, Sachin Tendulkar, and other prominent faces from the Indian sports fraternity backed home tourism and appealed to fans to explore the beauty of Indian islands. As the ongoing rift between India and Maldives widened, Indian athletes spoke out and praised the enchanting beauty of the Lakshadweep Islands.
It all started when Maldives Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment Mariyam Shiuna made derogatory remarks about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he visited the Lakshadweep Islands. Shinua’s remarks sparked outrage in India, and while the diplomats' raised concerns to the Maldivian authorities, social media kept buzzing. Netizens were joined by celebs as Indian users raised their voices to prefer Lakshadweep Islands over Maldives.
Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar tweeted, “250+ days since we rang in my 50th birthday in Sindhudurg! The coastal town offered everything we wanted, and more. Gorgeous locations combined with wonderful hospitality left us with a treasure trove of memories. India is blessed with beautiful coastlines and pristine islands. With our “Atithi Devo Bhava” philosophy, we have so much to explore, so many memories waiting to be created. #ExploreIndianIslands”
Veteran Indian cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, on the other hand, said, “A deputy minister using such language for our country. Maldives is a largely poor country largely dependent on upmarket tourism with over 15% tourists from India. India has very many unexplored beautiful coastal towns.”
Suresh Raina extended his support by tweeting, “I saw remarks from prominent public figures in the Maldives, expressing hateful and racist comments directed towards Indians. It's disheartening to witness such negativity, especially considering that India contributes significantly to their economy, crisis management and so many other aspects.”
He added, “Having visited the Maldives multiple times and always expressing admiration for the destination's beauty, I believe it's crucial to prioritize our self-respect. In light of recent events, let's unite and choose to #ExploreIndianIslands, supporting our own vibrant tourism industry. It's time to celebrate and appreciate the rich experiences that our own has to offer.”
In addition, Olympic medallist PV Sindhu said, “I have travelled around the world, but the beauty of Lakshadweep is unmatched. Saw the serene sights of the blue waters and the white beaches in the posts of PM Sir. I must plan a visit soon with my family. All of us are big fans of the sea.”
