Prime Minister Narendra Modi today called for promotion of traditional games which have an important role in overall personality development.
In his monthly Mann ki Baat programme on All India Radio, Mr Modi said, it is a matter of concern that games like Gilli-Danda, Kho Kho and Pitthoo are fading away to the point of extinction. He said, it will not just be a loss of a game, but a loss of the spirit of childhood.
Mr Modi said, the unity intrinsic to the country’s diversity can be witnessed in these games. Referring to Fit India campaign, the Prime Minister said, everybody, from film fraternity to world of sports to the common man is now getting connected to this campaign. He said, it is heartwarming to accept ‘Hum Fit Toh India Fit’ challenge of cricketer Virat Kohli.
Highlighting the achievements in conquering the Mount Everest, the Prime Minister said that under Mission Shaurya, a team of five tribal students of an Ashram School in Chandrapur, Maharashtra scaled the world’s highest peak. He said 16-year-old Shivangi Pathak became the youngest Indian woman to scale the peak from the Nepal Side. He said, Ajit Bajaj and his daughter became the first ever father-daughter duo to ascend the Everest.
Mr Modi congratulated six women commanders, who circumnavigated the globe for over more than 250 days on board INSV Tarini. He said, the illustrious daughters brought laurels to the country and are an inspiration for millions.
The Prime Minister also hailed underprivileged daughters of slums in Sikar, Rajasthan, who are learning sewing and stitching to become self-reliant today. The Prime Minister said India will host the World Environment Day celebrations on the 5th of next month, with the theme ‘Beat plastic pollution’. He said, it is an acknowledgement as well as recognition of the country’s growing leadership in tackling climate change.
Mr Modi appealed to the people not to use low grade polythene and plastics, and try to curb negative impact of plastic pollution. The Prime Minister said preparations are afoot to celebrate the International Yoga Day.
The Prime Minister remembered the country’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on his death anniversary today. Paying tributes to freedom fighter Veer Savarkar, Mr Modi said Savarkar boldly expostulated by writing that whatever happened in 1857 was not a revolt but was indeed the first war of Independence. Mr Modi expressed hope that forthcoming Eid-ul-Fitr will further strengthen the bonds of harmony in society.
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