PM Modi Celebrates National Athletic Achievements in 'Mann Ki Baat'

Prime Minister's Special Interaction with Athletes

In the 134th episode of 'Mann Ki Baat', Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a special conversation with two outstanding athletes, Gurinder Veer Singh and Animesh Kujur, which was broadcast nationwide. He highlighted the recent National Senior Athletics Federation competition held in Ranchi, where four national records were shattered across different events. The Prime Minister extended heartfelt congratulations to the record-breaking athletes, including Gurinder Veer Singh, Vishal Tike, Tejaswin Shankar, Dev Meena, and Kuldeep Kumar.

Records Broken in Just Two Days

The Prime Minister praised the athletes, stating, "In just two days, the national record for the 100 meters was broken three times. The remarkable achievement was accomplished by Gurinder Veer Singh and Animesh Kujur. Hence, I decided to speak with these two athletes in this episode of 'Mann Ki Baat'."

Animesh's Journey from Football to Athletics

During his conversation with PM Modi, athlete Animesh Kujur shared his journey. He mentioned, "Last year, I won medals at the National Asian Games and the World University Games. I began my athletics career after finishing school in 2021. As the COVID situation improved, my friends from football encouraged me to participate in a state-level competition. I took part without knowing about the national selection, but I was chosen for the national level, and now I represent India internationally."

Serving the Nation in Uniform and on Track

Gurinder Veer Singh, who set a new national record in the 100 meters, shared, "I am a Petty Officer in the Indian Navy. I am the first Indian to run under 10.1 seconds. I strive to serve my country both on the track and in my uniform."

Inspired by His Father and Milkha Singh

Gurinder Veer spoke about his inspiration, saying, "My father used to tell me stories about his sports achievements and national medals, which ignited my desire to pursue sports. He would take me along and teach me everything he learned during his athletic days. I remember watching Usain Bolt break records and telling my mother that one day she would see me on TV. I draw great inspiration from the legendary runner Milkha Singh and my father."