Watch: Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker plays national anthem tune on a violin on Independence Day 2025

Two-time Olympic medallist shooter Manu Bhaker celebrated India’s 79th Independence Day on Friday by playing the tune of the national anthem on a violin.

The 23-year-old Manu, who won bronze medals in 10m air pistol (individual and mixed team events both) at the Paris Olympics, shared the video of her playing the violin on her social media handles.

In the caption, she wrote, “An attempt to play the tune that is closest to my heart this Independence Day. Each time I represent India, I wish to stand on the podium and listen to this. Generally, we sit and play the violin, but this time subconsciously, we stood up while playing the National Anthem. It’s the admiration for our nation that cannot be put into words. Jai Hind!”

Shooters are often reduced to a bundle of nerves because of the mental focus and concentration the sport demands. While some resort to meditation in order to prepare for an event, Manu found a unique method to calm her nerves at the Olympic trials at the MP Shooting Academy in Bhopal last year.

Manu will soon be in action at the 16th Asian Championships. She and 34 other Indian shooters take part in the event which will be held in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, from August 16 to 30.

Manu will compete in the women’s 10m air pistol and the women’s 25m pistol events.