Olympic medallist and Assam boxer Lovlina Borgohain has brought attention to a long-standing issue affecting people from the Northeast, after noticing that the region was missing from a map of India displayed at a popular Indian restaurant in Glasgow. The incident occurred on Saturday when the Indian boxing contingent visited Mister Singh’s India – The Home of Curry to celebrate the country’s historic performance at the Commonwealth Games, where Indian boxers clinched an unprecedented 10 medals, including seven gold and three silver. During the visit, Lovlina noticed that both the map printed on the restaurant’s napkins and the one displayed outside the establishment had omitted India’s Northeastern states.
Expressing her disappointment in a video shared on social media, Lovlina said, ’Please don’t take this the wrong way. I felt a little hurt by this. In the map of India, our Northeast is missing.
Even the map displayed outside has cut off the Northeast. As someone from the Northeast, that really hurts us. Please keep this in mind next time.
Thank you so much.’ Lovlina’s intervention was appreciated on social media, with many users commending the Assam boxer for speaking up and ensuring that the Northeast receives the recognition it deserves. The matter was subsequently taken up by Boxing Federation of India president Ajay Singh, who accompanied the Indian contingent during the dinner. Singh clarified that there was no confrontation with the restaurant management and described the issue as an unintentional mistake.
According to Singh, the restaurant management acknowledged the error immediately after it was brought to their notice and assured the Indian delegation that the map would be rectified. Mister Singh’s India is one of Glasgow’s best-known Indian dining establishments and has hosted several international sports teams and visiting dignitaries over the years. The episode ended on a positive note after the assurance was given.
For many people from the Northeast, the region’s omission from maps, promotional material or graphics has long been a sensitive issue, with residents often raising concerns over such inaccuracies. Lovlina’s actions have highlighted the importance of accurate representation and recognition of the Northeast.
