WATCH: PM Modi gets special gifts from Indian Olympians
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a special appeal to Indian Olympians during the interaction at his residence where he had hosted them for breakfast. The athletes also showered the PM with gifts of their sporting equipment, official sources said. Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra gifted his javelin to Modi, bronze medallist PV Sindhu her badminton racquet, men's and women's hockey team an autographed hockey stick each, CA Bhavani her sword while Lovlina Borgohain her boxing gloves.
From having ice-creams and Churma to discussing good health and fitness, from inspiring anecdotes to lighter moments…watch what happened when I had the opportunity to host India’s #Tokyo2020 contingent at 7, LKM. The programme begins at 9 AM. pic.twitter.com/u5trUef4kS
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 18, 2021
All medal-winners also gifted autographed stoles to the prime minister.
PM Modi urged India's Olympians, who recently returned from Tokyo, to visit 75 schools each by the 2023 Independence Day and spread awareness against malnutrition and also play a sport with schoolchildren.
A memorable interaction with our Olympic heroes. https://t.co/leaG77TikG
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 18, 2021
Noting that India is observing 'Amrit Mahotsav', a 75-week long commemoration in the run-up to the 75th anniversary of its independence next year.
Modi said that one of the positives of the Tokyo Olympics is that the attitude of parents towards sports is changing, and he envisions a lot more parents supporting their children to pursue sports.
Parents liking sports is a great sign for the future, he noted as he made his requests to the athletes.
#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi requests the #TokyoOlympics Indian contingent to visit 75 schools by 15th August 2023. He urges them to spend an hour with the students at these schools and create awareness about malnutrition and inspire them for sports. pic.twitter.com/vDj4usSzuS
— ANI (@ANI) August 18, 2021
Their visits to the school, suggestions to the students about ways to eliminate malnutrition and playing a sport with them during the visit will go a long way in encouraging them, he noted.
Indian athletes returned from Tokyo with the country's best-ever haul of seven medals, including javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra's historic gold in track and field.
Modi had invited them over to the Independence Day ceremony at the Red Fort on Sunday where in his address he had lauded them for their performance.
WITH PTI INPUTS