Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised the rising sporting culture in Jammu & Kashmir, calling it a remarkable symbol of change and progress. Speaking during the 125th episode of his radio address ‘Mann Ki Baat’, the Prime Minister highlighted two major milestones:
- Pulwama hosting its first-ever day-night cricket match under the Royal Premier League (RPL).
- The successful organization of the Khelo India Water Sports Festival at Dal Lake, Srinagar, the first of its kind in India.
Pulwama’s First-Ever Day-Night Cricket Match
In his address, the Prime Minister celebrated Pulwama’s historic achievement of hosting a day-night cricket match, something unimaginable a few years ago. The event, part of the Royal Premier League, attracted thousands of youth and cricket enthusiasts who filled the stadium to witness the spectacle.
Calling it “a sight to behold,” Modi said the event symbolized how Kashmir is transforming into a hub of youth activities and opportunities.
The league’s organizer, Irfan Sarkar, expressed pride over the Prime Minister mentioning the event in his speech. He said, “I am happy, and the entire Kashmir is happy with this event. Our youth need such activities to stay away from drugs, and I wish the PM himself attends the RPL final as a special guest.”
Khelo India Water Sports Festival at Dal Lake
The Prime Minister also praised the grand success of the Khelo India Water Sports Festival, hosted at the iconic Dal Lake in Srinagar. The event brought together more than 800 athletes from across India, including strong participation from women athletes who matched their male counterparts in numbers and performance.
Modi congratulated the winners, noting that Madhya Pradesh secured the most medals, followed by Haryana and Odisha. He also lauded the warmth and hospitality of the J&K government and the people for making the event memorable.
Inspiring Stories of Rising Athletes
The Prime Minister interacted with two young athletes whose journeys inspired the nation:
- Mohsin Ali (Srinagar) – The first gold medalist of the Khelo India Water Sports Festival. Mohsin expressed joy over his achievement, saying his family and school now call him a “gold medalist.” He shared his dream of winning an Olympic medal for India. Modi said Mohsin’s journey gave him “goosebumps,” calling it proof that the youth of India are destined to make the country proud.
- Rashmita Sahu (Odisha) – A canoeing star who won two gold medals in her debut at Dal Lake: one in the 200m singles and another in the 500m doubles. She revealed how her father’s encouragement and her training at the SAI Sports Centre Jagatpur helped her rise in sports. Modi applauded her determination and urged her to thank her father for his support.
Both athletes described their excitement of visiting Kashmir, making friends, and exploring landmarks like Lal Chowk, Dal Lake, and Pahalgam while participating in the festival.
Prime Minister Modi emphasized that sports are not just about medals but also about keeping youth healthy and motivated. He highlighted the role of the Khelo India scheme in providing financial support and opportunities to young athletes, ensuring they can pursue their dreams without hindrance.
He also praised Bilquis Mir, Mohsin’s coach and a renowned Olympian, for her role in shaping young talent. Mir noted that canoeing could be a game-changer for India in future Olympics, potentially boosting India’s global sports ranking.
