Prime Minister: Friends, I would like to have a chat with you all. Now, how many of you are here thinking you have come back after a loss? First, let me tell you to erase that thought from your minds. You are here after representing our country, and you have returned having learned something valuable. That's why in sports, no one truly loses; everyone learns. I want to make this clear to you all. That's why I asked how many of you felt that way. It's good to see that 80% of you didn't raise your hands, which means you understand what I'm saying. Those who did raise their hands did so out of humility, perhaps out of wisdom. But even to them, I want to say, don't think that you have been left behind; you have come back with a wealth of knowledge. Do you agree with me? Come on, say it louder—you are athletes after all."

Athletes: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: Now, I want to ask you something. The world saw what you did on the field, but tell me, what else did you do besides competing? You must have made friends with players from around the world, learned a lot of new things. Perhaps you thought it would be great if we had something like that here too. I'm sure such thoughts must have crossed your mind. So, I would like to hear about your experiences. Who will share with me?

Lakshya: Yes, Sir, first of all, Namaste to you…

Prime Minister: When I first met Lakshya, he was just a little boy, but look at him now—he has grown so much.

Lakshya: During the tournament, my matches were long and intense right from the first day, so I mainly focused on my games. However, whenever we had some free time, we would all go for dinner together, where I met many other athletes. Watching them and sharing a dining room with them was a big deal for me. The whole atmosphere was incredible, especially since this was my first Olympics. Playing in such a large stadium with so many people watching was overwhelming at first. I was nervous during the first two or three matches, but as the tournament progressed, I became more comfortable. Overall, it was a great experience.

Prime Minister: Well, you are from Devbhoomi, but do you realise that you have suddenly become a celebrity?

Lakshya: Yes, Sir. During the matches, Prakash Sir took my phone and said I wouldn't be allowed to use it until the tournament was over. Later on I learnt that I received a lot of support from people. It was a valuable learning experience, though it was a bit heartbreaking as I was so close. I am determined to improve my results in the future.

Prime Minister: So, Prakash Sir was strict and disciplined, right? Next time, I’ll make sure to send him along.

Lakshya: Sure, Sir, absolutely.

Prime Minister: But you must have learned a great deal. Let me tell you, it would have been wonderful if you had won, but even those who don’t really understand the game watched you play for hours. They kept watching reels on your game's highlights. The way you played made people realise that it's not just foreign players who excel—our children can do that too. This spirit has really taken root.

Lakshya: Yes, Sir. I think there were one or two shots of mine that became quite popular. But overall, I hope to inspire other young players who take up badminton in the future to keep playing just like this with my performance in the tournament.

Prime Minister: Very good. Now, there was no AC, and it was quite hot. Who was the first to shout out? Who said, 'Modi talks big, but there’s no AC in the room—what are we supposed to do?' Who was most troubled by the heat? But I heard that within a few hours, the issue was resolved. Everyone got AC right away, didn’t they? See how much every player is taken care of? Everyone acts immediately."

Anjum Moudgil: Namaskar, Sir. My name is Anjum Moudgil, and I’m in shooting sports. My overall experience was that this was my second Olympics, and I missed the finals by just a few points. But as an Indian and as an athlete, I experienced what athletes go through every day—the extreme joy of reaching a goal and the deep disappointment when it slips away. The entire country felt that during the Olympics because of Bharat’s performance. One day, we were overjoyed with Manu’s medal, but then there were instances where others finished fourth, and Vinesh’s story was truly heartbreaking. Then there was the hockey match, and the happiness that followed it. The range of emotions that we athletes experience daily was something the whole country lived through during those ten days. I think these games came at a very good time to promote a sports culture in Bharat, and from now on, people will better understand our journey as athletes. The positive changes that come from this will be even more impactful in the future.

Prime Minister: You are right; it wasn’t just you—every corner of Bharat shared the same attitude. If any player looked even a little troubled, the people watching the game would become restless. It's akin to driving a car: if you’re in the back seat and you know how to drive, then even if the person in the front has to push the brakes, we still press our feet as if we were driving. Similarly, whenever players used to play, people would move their hands and legs up and down. Sreejesh, had you already decided to retire, or was this a recent decision?

Sreejesh: Sir, Namaste. I had been considering it for a few years. My teammates often asked me when I would retire; this question was frequently posed to me. However, I felt that I had started my career in 2002 and played my first international match in 2004 with the junior team. I have been playing for my country for twenty years, so I wanted to retire from a prominent platform. The Olympics is such a platform, where the entire world celebrates, so I believed there would not be a better opportunity. Hence, I made a well-considered decision.

Prime Minister: Let me tell you that the team will undoubtedly miss you, but they gave you a wonderful farewell.

Sreejesh: Yes, sir.

Prime Minister: Congratulations to the team.

Sreejesh: Truly, Sir, we could only dream of such an outcome. It was quite tough for us when we lost in the semi-finals. We had high hopes when the team went to Paris; we aimed to reach the final or perhaps win the gold. Losing in the semi-finals left everyone feeling somewhat disheartened. However, when we prepared to play the final match, everyone resolved to win it for Sree Bhai (Sreejesh). This, Sir, is what makes me most proud. The years of hard work I have put in were for my country. My teammates supported me, and I especially thanked them during the farewell and said goodbye.

Prime Minister: Tell me, when you had to compete against Britain with only ten players, did you feel demoralized at the beginning? Sarpanch Sahab, please share your thoughts. It must have been very challenging.

Harmanpreet Singh: Namaskar, Sir. Yes, it was indeed very difficult. Our player had already been knocked out in the quarter-finals. However, our coaching staff provided substantial support. We visualized every possible scenario because anything can happen at the Olympics, often unexpectedly. We were determined to stick to our plans regardless of the situation, which increased the team's enthusiasm. We had a bit of a rivalry with GB, and that motivated us further.

Prime Minister: That rivalry has been ongoing for 150 years.

Harmanpreet Singh: Exactly, Sir. We are continuing that tradition. We were resolute that we would win the match, and it was a significant moment that the match ended in a one-on-one draw and we triumphed in the shootout. This was unprecedented in Olympic history. Another highlight was defeating Australia; that was a major achievement for us, ending a 52-year streak.

Prime Minister: Indeed, you have broken records that stood for 52 years. Competing in consecutive Olympics is also a significant achievement.

Harmanpreet Singh: Yes, Sir.

Prime Minister: And you are the youngest.

Aman Sehrawat: Namaste, Sir.

Prime Minister: I’m sure there were many voices advising you, telling you what not to do. Did that make you feel apprehensive at times?

Aman Sehrawat: I have faced very challenging times at such a young age. My parents left me when I was just ten years old, leaving me with only their dream of winning an Olympic medal. I share that dream and am determined to win a medal for the country. With that in mind, I continued practising diligently, and the support from Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), Sports Authority of India (SAI), and the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has been invaluable.

Prime Minister: How are you feeling now?

Aman Sehrawat: I’m feeling very good; I am quite pleased.

Prime Minister: Have you had anything to eat that you enjoy since returning home?

Aman Sehrawat: I haven’t been home yet.

Prime Minister: You haven’t gone home at all? If you had let me know, I would have arranged something for you.

Aman Sehrawat: I plan to have churma once I get home.

Prime Minister: By the way, just as our Sarpanch Sahab has a nickname, does anyone else among you have a nickname?

Shreyasi Singh: Greetings, Sir. I am Shreyasi Singh, currently an MLA from Bihar. Everyone in the team calls me MLA Didi.

Prime Minister: MLA Didi, you say.

Shreyasi Singh: Yes, Sir.

Prime Minister: So, we have both a Sarpanch and an MLA here. I have noticed that many of you seem to be glued to your mobile phones these days. Is that correct? You watch reels and even make reels, don’t you? How many of you are making reels?

Harmanpreet Singh: Sir, actually, I would like to share that the entire team decided not to use mobile phones throughout the Olympics. We chose not to engage with social media.

Prime Minister: That was a good decision—well done!

Harmanpreet Singh: Absolutely, Sir. We felt that whether the comments were positive or negative, they could influence us. Therefore, as a team, we agreed to stay off social media entirely.

Prime Minister: You all made a commendable decision.

Harmanpreet Singh: Yes, Sir.

Prime Minister: I would like you to advise the youth of the country that staying away from social media can be very beneficial. Many people end up wasting their time and getting stuck in it. You seem a bit disheartened, daughter.

Reetika Hooda: Yes, Sir. I competed for the first time and lost the bout by a narrow margin. If I had won that bout, I would have reached the final and possibly won gold. Unfortunately, it was just bad luck and not a good day for me.

Prime Minister: It’s alright; you’re still young, and there’s plenty of time to achieve more.

Ritika Hooda: Yes, Sir.

Prime Minister: And the soil of Haryana is such that it will infuse the spirit in you to show your strength

Ritika Hooda: Yes, Sir.

Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala: Namaskar, Prime Minister. I believe that this time, the injuries within our contingent were minimal. There were only one or two serious injuries, whereas typically, we see three or four major injuries across all sports requiring surgery. Fortunately, this time there was just one significant injury, which was a positive outcome. One notable improvement was that, unlike previous times when the Olympic village had limited facilities, this time we had all the necessary facilities within our own building. This made recovery, injury management, and preparation much easier for many athletes. I believe this setup was beneficial and instilled confidence in the athletes, knowing that they had all the resources they needed. If we continue with this approach in the future, we will be better able to support our athletes.

Prime Minister: Look, the doctor informed me of an important point: this time, our team experienced significantly fewer injuries compared to previous years. The reduction in injuries suggests that you have expertise in every aspect of the game. Injuries often occur due to gaps in our understanding of the sport, which can sometimes lead to damage. Your preparation and training have evidently equipped your bodies to withstand minor jolts and difficulties, thereby preventing major injuries. I am confident that you must have trained diligently and worked very hard to achieve this. Congratulations to you all for this remarkable achievement.

Prime Minister: Friends,

Joining me are Mansukh Mandaviya Ji and Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse Ji. The person who has brought great pride to our country in the world of sports, PT Usha Ji, is also present here. You have all returned from Paris, and I extend a warm welcome to you and your colleagues from the bottom of my heart. I welcome you with the same enthusiasm with which I bade you farewell to Paris. This welcome is not based on the number of medals won but on the global praise for our Indian players. I hear about their courage, discipline, and conduct from all corners of the world. This fills me with immense pride. Our players represent our country with such dedication that not a single player wishes for even a minor blemish on our nation's name. This is our greatest asset, and the entire team deserves heartfelt congratulations.

Friends,

I am proud that you have returned to the country after enhancing the glory of the Tricolour across the world, and I have the honour of welcoming you to my residence. Those who go to Paris know they must give their best, and you have certainly done so. Furthermore, our players are young and have gained valuable experience, which means there is much more to achieve in the future. The country will benefit greatly from this experience.

Perhaps this Paris Olympics has been historic for Bharat in numerous ways. The records set during these Games will inspire crores of young people across the country. In the nearly 125-year history of the Olympics, Manu is our first female athlete to win two individual medals. Neeraj Chopra is the first Indian to secure both gold and silver in individual events. In hockey, Bharat has won medals in two consecutive Olympics for the first time in 52 years. Aman achieved great joy for the nation by winning a medal at just 21 years old, and his story now highlights how personal challenges can be overcome to achieve one's dreams. Aman’s journey proves that difficulties are surmountable. Vinesh became the first Indian to reach the finals in wrestling, which is also a significant achievement. Indian shooters made it to the finals in seven shooting events, a first for us. Similarly, in archery, Dhiraj and Ankita became the first Indian archers to compete for medals. Lakshya Sen's performance has greatly excited the nation, making him the only Indian male badminton player to reach the semi-finals. Avinash Sable also made history by qualifying for the finals in steeplechase, another first in this format.

Friends,

Most of our medalists are in their 20s and are incredibly young. You have ample time and energy ahead of you. Normally, there is a four-year gap between the Olympics, but this time it was only three years. Perhaps with an additional year of practice, even more remarkable achievements could have been possible. You will participate in many major tournaments throughout your careers; do not stop playing or miss a single match. This young team exemplifies the bright future of Indian sports. I believe that the Paris Olympics will serve as a launch pad for the future of Indian sports and mark a turning point. From here on, victory is the only way forward. We will not stop.

Friends,

Today, Bharat is prioritizing the development of a world-class sports ecosystem. It is crucial to identify and nurture talent from the grassroots level. We have initiated the Khelo India campaign to promote young talent from every village and city. I am pleased to see that 28 players from Khelo India are part of this Olympic team, including Aman, Anantjeet, Dheeraj, and Sarabjot. Their journey began as Khelo India athletes, highlighting the significance of this programme in Bharat’s sporting landscape.

I believe that Khelo India deserves even greater emphasis and support. Through this initiative, we will discover new and promising talent. Like you, a substantial cohort of Khelo India athletes is being prepared for our country. The budget is being consistently increased to ensure that our players have access to ample facilities and resources, thereby avoiding any obstacles in their training. It is well known how crucial it is for athletes to participate in numerous competitions. I am pleased that you have had exposure to many international events before the Olympics. The attention to detail provided by numerous coaches and experts—covering diet, equipment, and coaching—along with efforts to provide world-class facilities, is unprecedented. Such support was not previously available in our country. Previously, players relied on their own efforts and luck to achieve success for the country. Now, however, a comprehensive ecosystem has been established. This represents not only a shift in the country's sports policies but also a demonstration of the trust the nation now places in its younger generation.

Friends,

You are all a tremendous source of inspiration for the youth of our country. It is important that the nation and its youth become more familiar with each one of you. I would like to acknowledge each of you by name, especially our daughters. Just as last time, our daughters have once again led Bharat's victories in the Olympics. Despite Manu's technical difficulties previously, her remarkable comeback, Ankita's best performance of the season, and the impressive performances of Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula have all captured public attention. Similarly, Neeraj’s consistency, Swapnil’s triumph over challenges, and our Sarpanch Sahab’s hockey team have all demonstrated Bharat’s strength. PR Sreejesh has shown the significance of the ball. Every athlete, whether they won a medal or missed out by a narrow margin, has shared the same resolve: to secure gold. I am confident that the youth of our country will learn a great deal from this.

Friends,

Bharat is preparing to host the 2036 Olympics. I mentioned from the ramparts of the Red Fort that we are undertaking thorough preparations. The insights of athletes who have competed in previous Olympics are invaluable. You have observed and experienced a great deal, from Olympic planning to event management, and from sports management to organizational arrangements. It is essential to document and share your experiences and observations with the government. This will help us prepare for 2036, addressing the challenges and gaps identified by the athletes. In essence, you are the vanguards of my 2036 team. Your assistance will help us organize and host Olympic Games in 2036 that sets new global standards. I would like the Sports Ministry to draft a plan and gather detailed feedback and suggestions from all players to ensure thorough preparation.

Friends,

Players and coaches provide valuable ideas on how to enhance Indian sports, which we managers cannot offer. Your input and ideas are crucial. You also have the responsibility to motivate and guide future players. Engage with the youth through social media and inspire them. The Sports Ministry and other organizations can facilitate interaction sessions with various groups to share experiences. Even if individuals do not speak directly to me, they can share their experiences in such places.

Friends,

Having had the opportunity to meet all of you, I believe it would be incomplete to let you go without leaving you with a responsibility. In the past, whenever I have asked you to do something, you have endeavoured to fulfil it. For example, I requested the friends who returned from the Tokyo Olympics to visit schools and engage with the youth, and they did so, with beneficial outcomes. Today, our country is running a campaign called 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' to promote environmental protection. I would like to invite all of you to participate in this initiative. Plant a tree with your mother, and remember Paris as you do so. If your mother is not there, plant a tree alongside her picture. Many of you come from rural and modest backgrounds, and you have witnessed the environment-friendly practices promoted during this year's Paris Olympics. Upon returning to your villages, share information about natural, chemical-free farming, and emphasize the importance of protecting our Mother Earth. Additionally, inspire other young people to take up sports and embrace fitness. Only you can guide them towards a healthier lifestyle, which I believe will be highly beneficial.

Friends,

I am confident that you will continue to bring honour to our country. The success of young talents like you will greatly enhance our journey towards becoming a developed nation. With this hope, I extend my heartfelt best wishes to each of you. To me, you are all achievers, and there is no one among you who has not accomplished something remarkable. As our youth achieve great things, our country is also inspired to reach new heights.

Congratulations once again, and best wishes, friends.

DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered in Hindi.

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MJPS/RT/AK