Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a direct dialogue with the country’s Gen-Z youth through the ‘Khelo India Samvad’ programme. A large number of students participated in the programme, while PM Modi joined virtually and addressed the young participants on sports, innovation, competition and the role of youth in building a developed India.
During his interaction with Gen-Z, PM Modi emphasised creative thinking among young people. He said new ideas and thoughts should continuously emerge in the minds of the country’s youth. When young people use their imagination and energy in new fields, it also contributes to the country’s progress.
The Prime Minister linked sports with the challenges of life and said players face both victory and defeat on the field. He said getting back up after a fall and continuing to make efforts is one of the biggest lessons of sports.
PM Modi said sports do not only teach people to become champions but also teach them to become better competitors. According to him, sports help individuals understand their shortcomings after a defeat, improve themselves and move forward with renewed energy.
He urged young people to make sports an important part of their lives and said the confidence gained through sports is also useful in education, careers and personal life.
In his address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also referred to India’s sports vision outlined from the Red Fort on the occasion of Independence Day. He said sports in India should not be viewed only from the perspective of winning medals.
According to PM Modi, bringing together the country’s sporting potential and youth power is part of the broader process of building a developed India. Better performance in sports can strengthen India’s identity at the international level and create new opportunities for young people.
During the programme, the Prime Minister said, ‘Those who play, flourish.’ He linked the idea not only to victory on the field but also to the development of individuals, families and society.
He said the success of a player does not remain limited to the player. It brings recognition to the player’s family and increases the respect of the school or college. A player’s achievement can also strengthen the identity of their district and state at the national and global levels.
PM Modi described sports as an important medium for the personality development of young people and said successful players also carry forward the name of the place from where they began their journey.
Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also participated in the programme. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, youth and sports have received a new priority in India.
Mandaviya said young people are being considered the present and future of the country and are being connected with the goal of a ‘developed India’. According to him, there has been a change in the approach of viewing sports in India only as entertainment or an individual activity, and it is now being linked with national priority.
