Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the nation through his monthly radio programme Mann ki Baat.
While addressing the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered legendary athelete Milkha Singh, who breathed his last on June 18. PM Modi highlighted how he was inspired by track legend Milkha Singh and spoke about the upcoming Tokyo Olympics during his monthly radio programme "Mann Ki Baat".
"We are talking about Tokyo Olympics, so how can one forget about such a legendary athlete like Milkha Singh. Some days back, we lost Milkha Singh as he lost his battle to COVID-19. When he was in the hospital, I had a chance to talk to him. I told him that he led our contingent in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and that is why you need to talk to our contingent who would head to the Tokyo Olympics this year. I told him that he needs to motivate them," said PM Modi during the programme.
"Milkha Singh was devoted towards sports and so he agreed to what I said. But unfortunately, destiny had something else in store. I still remember he had come to Surat in 2014 and we had inaugurated a night marathon. That time, we had a chat about sports and I really got inspired by that. We all know that the entire family of Milkha Singh is devoted towards sport," he added.
Further talking about the Olympics, PM Modi said: "When talent, dedication, determination and sportsman spirit come together, then you get a champion. In our country, athletes come out of small towns, villages, and districts. All our Olympic-bound athletes can be seen as an inspiration."
PM Modi urged India to motivate and cheer for the sportspersons representing the country at the Tokyo Olympics.
"Pravin Jadhav of Satara district in Maharastra is an outstanding archer. His parents work as labourers and now Jadhav is going to participate in his first Olympics in Tokyo," he said.
Tokyo Olympics were slated to be held last year, but were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now it will be held from July 23-August 8 this year.