New Delhi, 31 May (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the 134th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, lauded the remarkable achievements of Indian athletes and said that the country’s sporting landscape is witnessing a new era of excellence, with young competitors consistently setting new benchmarks at national and international levels.

Addressing listeners across the country, the Prime Minister highlighted the growing momentum in Indian athletics and praised athletes who have recently rewritten national records through their outstanding performances.

Referring to the recently concluded National Senior Athletics Championships held in Ranchi, Jharkhand, PM Modi noted that nearly 800 athletes from across the country participated in the competition. He said the event showcased the depth of India's sporting talent, with national records being broken in multiple disciplines.

The Prime Minister congratulated athletes Gurindervir Singh, Vishal T.K., Tejaswin Shankar, Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar for their record-breaking performances in their respective categories, describing their achievements as a source of inspiration for the nation's youth.

Highlighting the growing competitiveness of Indian track and field events, PM Modi pointed to the men's 100-metre sprint, which has generated significant attention across the country. He remarked that the national record in the event was broken three times within just two days, underscoring the rapid progress being made by Indian athletes.

He particularly praised sprinters Gurindervir Singh and Animesh Kujur, whose performances have elevated the standards of Indian sprinting. During the programme, the Prime Minister also interacted with the athletes and discussed their journeys, training, and achievements.

Speaking during the broadcast, Animesh Kujur introduced himself as the national record holder in the 200-metre and 400-metre events. Originally from Chhattisgarh and currently representing Odisha, Kujur said he began pursuing athletics in 2021 after completing school. He recalled winning medals at the Asian level and at the World University Games, achievements that have helped establish him among India's emerging track stars.

PM Modi noted that the spirit of healthy competition among young athletes is driving excellence across sporting disciplines. Drawing an analogy, he said that while “jugalbandi” is traditionally associated with music, a similar spirit of challenge and motivation is now visible in sports, where athletes continuously push one another to achieve greater milestones.

The Prime Minister said the success of Indian athletes reflects not only individual determination but also the country's expanding sports ecosystem, improved training infrastructure, and increasing participation among young people. He expressed confidence that such performances would strengthen India's position on the global sporting stage in the years ahead.

The monthly broadcast, aired through All India Radio and various digital platforms, continues to serve as a forum through which the Prime Minister highlights achievements, innovations, and inspiring stories from across the nation.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar