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Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi cheers for Indian players, has this advise for people
On Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi talked about player who are going to participate in the Tokyo Olympics this year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday every player taking part in the Tokyo Olympics this year has struggled to get where they are today and must be encouraged as he addressed the nation through Mann Ki Baat, his monthly radio programme.
“They are not just going there for themselves but for the nation. These players will have to bring laurels o the nation and also win people’s hearts. And this is why my countrymen, I advise you not to pressurise the players knowingly or unknowingly,” PM Modi said while addressing the 78th edition of the Mann Ki Baat, which is broadcast on the last Sunday every month. “We should support them with an open mind and encourage them,” he added as he talked about the players going to Tokyo Olympics.
“You can wish them on social media with #Cheer4India,” he said. If you come across any idea which the country should do for our players, then please send them to me. We will all support ur players bound for Tokyo,” he said.
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PM Modi on Sunday also highlighted Indian track legend, Milkha Singh, ahead of Tokyo Olympics during his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat. "We are talking about Tokyo Olympics, so how can one forget about such a legendary athlete like Milkha Singh. Some days back, we lost Milkha Singh as he lost his battle to Covid-19,” he said.
Milkha Singh succumbed to Covid-19 on June 19 at the age of 91.
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“When he was in the hospital, I had a chance to talk to him. I told him that he led our contingent in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and that is why you need to talk to our contingent who would head to the Tokyo Olympics this year. I told him that he needs to motivate them," PM Modi said during the programme.
Milkha Singh, PM Modi said, was devoted to sports and so he agreed to motivate the Tokyo-bound players. “But unfortunately, destiny had something else in store. I still remember he had come to Surat in 2014 and we had inaugurated a night marathon. That time, we had a chat about sports and I really got inspired by that," he added.
Tokyo Olympics will be held from July 23-August 8 this year.
