Saare jahan

Saare Jahan Se Acha: As India marks its 79th Independence Day on Friday, sports stars from around the country took to social media to commemorate the day in their own special ways.

From Independence Day messages to reflections on representing India on the global stage, several current and former star athletes, including India national cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir, batting stalwarts Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker, ICC chair Jay Shah, veteran shuttler Jwala Gutta and others.

The double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker shared a video of her playing the tune of the National Anthem on a violin, saying, "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."