A Disappointment: India's Uniform for Paris 2024 Olympics

The Olympics 2024 was all set to take place in the fashion capital of the world—Paris.

So, it is only natural for everyone to wait with bated breath, especially for the ceremonial outfits of different countries and their teams that will be showcased on the opening day.

While the Team Nigerian unveiled its vibrant and culturally rich, embodying the nation's heritage through its traditional attire.

The intricate patterns and bright colors reflect the essence of Nigerian culture, making a bold and proud statement.

And, Team Mongolia proudly showcased their vibrant cultures in their ethereal ceremonial outfits.

Even Monaco's uniform is elegant and sophisticated, featuring a classic design with a modern twist. The red and white colors, representing the national flag, are used thoughtfully, creating a cohesive and polished look.

This uniform exudes a sense of national pride and dignity.

But Team India disappointed many by opting for basic sarees and kurta sets featuring tricolor patterns and digital prints as the Indian contingent's ceremonial uniform.

First and foremost, the uniform isn't even a saree. It's merely a printed fabric draped to mimic one.

As someone who deeply respects the traditional saree, this feels like a major letdown. The saree is a timeless symbol of Indian culture, and this imitation does a disservice to its elegance and heritage.

We cannot deny that a saree and a kurta set represent the core sartorial heritage of India, but simply creating outfits with an off-white base and tricolor border does not scream creative brilliance, especially if the ensembles are for the Olympics in the fashion capital of the world.

It's as if they missed a golden opportunity to create something truly meaningful and visually stunning.

And let's talk about the quality.

The fabric doesn't seem to have the high-quality look you'd expect for such an important international event.

The Ikat print – which should showcase the beauty of our traditional craftsmanship – is poorly represented. Ikat is known for its intricate patterns and vibrant designs, but this execution is a far cry from what it should be.

India is known for its regional and cultural diversity. Each state and region is known for its distinctive traditional dresses, food, languages, lifestyle and so much more. To dress up athletes from such a nation in such spiritless outfits is beyond disappointing.

In my opinion, this uniform doesn't do justice to our heritage. It feels like a missed opportunity to proudly display the beauty of Indian textiles on a global stage.

What are your thoughts? Do you feel the same way, or do you think the uniform represents our nation well? I'd love to hear your views on this.