- Saturday, May 18, 2024
The former cricketer was saying at an event that he wants to start his vacations from India before going to other nations.
By: Shubham Ghosh
WHILE India was engaged with his maritime neighbour Maldives over some of its government officials making controversial remarks against the former and its prime minister Narendra Modi, several celebrities from India apart from common people slammed the archipelago.
There was even calls for boycotting the island-nation which is known for its tourism industry.
Amid the ruckus, an old video of former India cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has gone viral.
While Dhoni, 42, is not known for expressing opinions on social media on burning issues, an old video surfaced that clarified that he prioritises his own country over others when it comes to leisure travel. The former cricketer was saying at an event that he wants to start his vacations from India before going to other nations.
Read: India-Maldives row: Amitabh Bachchan promotes Lakshadweep, Andamans
First priority for Indian tourism places then others. This is why MS Dhoni is GOAT 🇮🇳❤#ExploreIndianIslands #Maldives pic.twitter.com/8iOvsmEs5h
— ` (@WorshipDhoni) January 7, 2024
Dhoni extensively toured overseas during his playing days but now, he and his wife Sakshi want to explore destinations in India first.
Read: Indian Chamber of Commerce seeks Maldives’ boycott amid Modi row
“Mostly, I do travel a lot but not for vacations. Frankly, if you ask me, I have not been on a lot of vacations. During my cricket playing time, mostly I would go to nations where cricket was there. I haven’t seen a lot because I was like I have come here to play cricket, I will play cricket and come back. So, not a lot of fun that way,” he was heard was saying in the video.
“My wife loves to travel. So, now our plan is… we are getting some time off, we want to travel. But we want to start from India. We have so many beautiful places over here. I would like to explore them first before heading to different places,” Dhoni added.
The row erupted after the three government officials in the Maldives, who were suspended later, criticised Modi following his visit to Lakshadweep, a chain of Indian islands located about 750 kilometres from the Maldives, and promoting it as a tourist destination.
There were soon talks between representatives of the two countries at the diplomatic level with Maldivian officials clarifying that the remarks made by the three accused deputy ministers did not reflect Male’s official position.
