New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday urged youngsters across the country to make sports an integral part of their daily lives, stressing the need to reduce excessive screen time and encourage greater participation in outdoor activities.
Addressing athletes and young people during the Khelo India Dialogue via video conferencing, Modi said India was witnessing a change in the way families and students viewed sports, with physical activity increasingly finding a place alongside academics and career planning.
“When time table is being made for career and studies, sports is also getting its place. This is the change due to which India’s trust in its sporting future is increasing,” the Prime Minister said.
‘Playgrounds Are More Important Than PlayStations’: PM Modi
Calling for a stronger sporting culture among youngsters, Modi said schools should stop treating sports periods merely as co-curricular activities.
“Sports culture is established when schools do not consider sports periods as a co-curricular activity, but as a way of life,” he said, adding that such an approach would help identify talent early while encouraging greater support from families.
With smartphones, computers and gaming consoles occupying an increasing amount of youngsters’ time, Modi made a direct comparison between screens and physical activity.
“Sports centres are more important than screens. Playgrounds are more important than PlayStations,” he said.
The Prime Minister added that such a change could only take place when young people themselves embraced the approach.
PM Modi Highlights Life Lessons From Sports
Modi also spoke about the role of sports in developing resilience, discipline and a healthy competitive spirit.
He said sporting values were important for building a healthy society, stronger families and a better work culture, arguing that these qualities were difficult to develop without experiencing competition on the field.
“Sports does not only teach us to become champions, it teaches us to become better competitors. Rising, falling… falling and then rising again… Sports brings this zeal within us,” Modi said.
Highlighting the wider impact of sporting success, the Prime Minister said the achievements of an athlete also bring recognition to their family, educational institution and community. “Those who play, they blossom,” he added.
