The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi interacted with the Indian para-athlete contingent for Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and families, guardians and coaches of the para athletes today via video conferencing. Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, and Information & Broadcasting, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur; Union Minister for Law and Justice Shri Kiren Rijij;President of Archery Association of India and Union Tribal Minister Shri Arjun Munda; President of Paralympics Committee of India , Deepa Malik ;  Secretary ,Department of Sports, GoI Shri Ravi Mittal were among those virtually present at the event.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister lauded the para-athletes for their self-confidence and will power. He credited their hard work for the biggest ever contingent to the Paralympic Games. He said he is hopeful after interacting with the para athletes that India will create a new history at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The Prime Minister said that today’s new India does not put pressure for medals on the athletes but expects them to give their best. Referring to the recent Olympics, the Prime Minister said that country is firmly with the athletes in their efforts whether they win or miss.

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— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 17, 2021

आपका आत्मबल, कुछ हासिल करके दिखाने की आपकी इच्छाशक्ति असीम है।

आप सभी के परिश्रम का ही परिणाम है कि आज पैरालम्पिक्स में सबसे बड़ी संख्या में भारत के athletes जा रहे हैं: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 17, 2021

एक खिलाड़ी के तौर पर आप ये बखूबी जानते हैं कि, मैदान में जितनी फ़िज़िकल स्ट्रेंथ की जरूरत होती है उतनी ही मेंटल स्ट्रेंथ भी मायने रखती है।

आप लोग तो विशेष रूप से ऐसी परिस्थितियों से निकलकर आगे बढ़े हैं जहां मेंटल स्ट्रेंथ से ही इतना कुछ मुमकिन हुआ है: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 17, 2021

हमारे छोटे छोटे गाँवों में, दूर-सुदूर क्षेत्रों में कितनी अद्भुत प्रतिभा भरी हुई है, आप इसका प्रत्यक्ष प्रमाण हैं।

कई बार आपको लगता होगा कि आपको जो संसाधन सुविधा मिली, ये न मिली होती तो आपके सपनों का क्या होता?

यही चिंता हमें देश के दूसरे लाखों युवाओं के बारे में भी करनी है: PM

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 17, 2021

भारत में स्पोर्ट्स कल्चर को विकसित करने के लिए हमें अपने तौर-तरीकों को लगातार सुधारते रहना होगा।

आज अंतर्राष्ट्रीय खेलों के साथ साथ पारंपरिक भारतीय खेलों को भी नई पहचान दी जा रही है: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 17, 2021

आप किसी भी स्पोर्ट्स से जुड़े हों, एक भारत-श्रेष्ठ भारत की भावना को भी मजबूत करते हैं।

आप किस राज्य से हैं, किस क्षेत्र से हैं, कौन सी भाषा बोलते हैं, इन सबसे ऊपर आप आज ‘टीम इंडिया’ हैं।

ये स्पिरिट हमारे समाज के हर क्षेत्र में होनी चाहिए, हर स्तर पर दिखनी चाहिए: PM

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 17, 2021

पहले दिव्यांगजनों के लिए सुविधा देने को वेलफेयर समझा जाता था।

लेकिन आज देश इसे अपना दायित्व मानकर काम कर रहा है।

इसलिए, देश की संसद ने ‘The Rights for Persons with Disabilities Act, जैसा कानून बनाया, दिव्यांगजनों के अधिकारों को कानूनी सुरक्षा दी: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 17, 2021

The Prime Minister discussed the importance of mental strength along with the physical strength in the field. He praised the para athletes for overcoming their circumstances and moving forward despite them. Keeping in mind the issues like lack of exposure and stress of new place, new people and international settings, three sessions were conducted through workshop and seminars on sports psychology for the contingent.

The Prime Minister said that our villages and remote areas are full of talent and the contingent of para athletes is a living example of that. He said we have to think of our youth and ensure that they should get all the resources and facilities. The Prime Minister said there are many young players in these areas with capabilities to win medals. Today the country is trying to reach them, special attention is being paid to the rural areas, said the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister informed that for recognizing local talents, 360 Khelo India Centres have been established. Soon this number will be increased to 1000 centres. Equipments, grounds and other resources and infrastructure are being made available to the sportspersons. The Country is helping its sportspersons with an open heart. The country provided necessary facilities and targets through ‘Target Olympic Podium Scheme’, said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister insisted that in order to reach the top, we have to shed fears that made home in the hearts of the older generation when families were apprehensive if a child was interested in sports and there were no career prospects in sports barring one or two sports. This insecurity needed to be destroyed. The Prime Minister emphasized that we have to keep on improving our ways and system to develop sports culture in India. He pointed out that traditional sports are getting a new identity along with the promotion of international sports. He mentioned establishment of Sports University in Imphal, Manipur, status of sports in the New National Education Policy and Khelo India Movement as key steps in that direction.

The Prime Minister told the athletes that they strengthen the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat irrespective of sports they represent. “Whatever state, region you belong to, whatever language you speak, above all this, today you are ‘Team India. This spirit should permeate every part of our society at every level”’, the Prime Ministers stressed.

The Prime Minister said that earlier, giving facilities to Divyang Jan was treated as welfare, today the country is working for this as part of its responsibility. That is why, the Parliament enacted a law like ‘The Rights for Persons with Disabilities Act to provide comprehensive security to the Divyang Jan.  He said ‘Sugamya Bharat Campaign’ is the biggest example of this new thinking. Today hundreds of government building, railway stations, train coaches, domestic airports and other infrastructure are being made Divyang friendly. Efforts like standard dictionary of Indian Sign Language, Sign language translation of NCERT are changing lives and giving confidence to numerous talents all over the country, concluded the Prime Minister.

Click here for full text of PM’s interaction with para athletes

On behalf of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur welcomed the respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and said that India’s Paralympics Contingent is set to script history in Tokyo. The players are charged up with the best wishes of Prime Minister Modi. Prime Minister has always guided the nation in every situation and today he is present among us to bless and boost the morale of our Paralympic players. Shri Thakur added that Indian para-athletes have consistently excelled in international para sports competitions across the world and have made India proud on many occasions. Shri Thakur further said that this time India is sending its largest contingent ever in which 54 para-players will represent the country in 9 para sports categories.

The Sports Minister gave his special thanks to the Prime Minister for continuously interacting with sportsperson and keeping up their morale even during the pandemic, “Prime Minister, your interest towards sports, your guidance in promoting sports, the encouragement you have given to the players from time to time, is a source of inspiration for all of us.  believe that with your strong guidance and best wishes of the countrymen, our players will definitely be successful in winning medals and hoisting the flag of victory for the country.”

The Prime Minister has led the #Cheer4India campaign which brought the entire country together in cheering and boosting the morale of our sportspersons for the Tokyo Olympics, the Minister added.

54 para athletes from across 9 sports disciplines will be heading to Tokyo to represent the nation. This is India’s biggest ever contingent to the Paralympic Games.

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NB/OA