GLASGOW : A visit by India’s Commonwealth Games contingent to an Indian restaurant in Glasgow ended with an unexpected controversy after Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain noticed that the map of India printed on restaurant napkins did not include the entire Northeast.
The Assam boxer, who is representing India at the Commonwealth Games, said the omission was difficult to overlook and immediately brought the matter to the attention of officials travelling with the Indian team. The incident took place at Mister Singh’s India – The Home of Curry, where members of the contingent had stopped for a meal.
Lovlina said the inaccurate map was particularly painful for people from the Northeast, stressing that the region is an inseparable part of the country.
“As someone from Assam, it hurt to see the entire Northeast missing from India’s map. It is part of our country and should never be left out,” she said.
The matter was later taken up by Indian Olympic Association Acting President Ajay Singh, who also raised objections with the restaurant management. Reports said he pointed out that the map did not accurately represent India’s boundaries and requested that the incorrect design be replaced.
Following the complaint, the restaurant acknowledged the mistake and assured the Indian delegation that the inaccurate map would be removed and corrected. The episode has drawn attention beyond the Commonwealth Games, highlighting the importance of accurately representing every region of India in public displays, particularly at international establishments that welcome visitors from around the world.
For many people from the Northeast, the issue goes beyond a printing error. Maps are closely linked to identity and representation, and any omission of the region is often viewed as both inaccurate and insensitive.
Although the restaurant agreed to correct the mistake, the incident has once again brought attention to the need for greater awareness while depicting India’s geography. The prompt response from the restaurant brought the issue to a close, but the episode also served as a reminder of how even small errors can affect the sentiments of communities whose identity is tied to every part of the country’s map.