DAV College Chandigarh’s sports legacy grows with Manu Bhaker's Olympic medal

By Saurabh Duggal

Adding another feather to the sports legacy of DAV College Chandigarh, Mass Communication student Manu Bhaker made history by becoming the first Indian woman shooter to win an Olympic medal. On Sunday, she secured a bronze medal in the 10m air pistol event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, marking India's first medal of the Games.

This marks a continuation of Olympic success for DAV College. In the Tokyo Olympics, alumnus Neeraj Chopra won gold in the javelin throw and is defending his title in Paris.

Due to the Paris Olympics, Manu was unable to sit for her final exams of the second year in the Master in Public Administration program but has enrolled in a diploma course in Mass Communication. Panjab University will arrange special exams for her after the Paris Games.

DAV College students Sarabjot Singh and Vijayveer Sidhu are also part of the Indian shooting contingent in Paris.

Recently, DAV College has emerged as a top educational choice for elite shooters in the country.

"It is a great moment for DAV College as well as for the entire country. Manu has made everyone proud," said Associate Professor Amanendra Mann, who heads the College’s sports department and is currently in Paris to support the college's shooters.

"DAV College Chandigarh has a rich sports legacy, and the environment here is conducive to sports. The college provides the best facilities to its players and contributes to their pursuit of sports excellence," added Amanendra Mann.

The college boasts medals from the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and Olympics, with the count ongoing.

In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, its postgraduate student Yashaswini Deswal was part of the Indian shooting team.

Notable shooters such as Anjum Moudgil, Malaika Goel, Hema KC, Ajitesh Kaushal, and Ankush Bhardwaj have also been students at the college and won numerous accolades for the country during their time at the institute.