PM’s video message at Pali Sansad Khel Mahakumbh
Speaker: Narendra Modi
Date: 03 Feb, 2024

My dear young friends, Heartiest congratulations to all the players who showcased their outstanding performance in Pali. There is never a loss in sports. In sports, you either win or you learn. Therefore, I extend my best wishes to all the players, as well as to their coaches and family members present there. Friends, The enthusiasm, confidence, zeal and spirit seen in the Sansad Khel Mahakumbh have become the identity of every player and youth. Today, the government also has the same spirit for sports, which belongs to the players on the field. Our players always wanted more opportunities to play at the grassroots level, to play in their villages, in their schools, to play in universities, and then to play nationally and internationally. The spirit of the players is greatly supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party Sansad Khel Mahakumbh. I would like to specially commend the Bharatiya Janata Party for organizing such sports festivals through its Members of Parliament. And this initiative has been consistently ongoing for many years. The BJP Sansad Khel Mahakumbh has provided lakhs of talented players with the opportunity to play in districts, states, and beyond. This Khel Mahakumbh is becoming a significant platform for discovering and nurturing new players, and now the BJP MPs are also planning to organize a special Khel Mahakumbh for girls. I congratulate the BJP and its MPs for this important campaign. Friends, I’ve been told that more than 1100 school children in Pali have participated in the Sansad Khel Mahakumbh. Over two lakh players have come forward to play. The exposure these two lakh players have received through this Mahakumbh and the opportunity to showcase their talent is unprecedented. I congratulate my colleague in Parliament, P.P. Chaudhary, for organizing such a magnificent event. The youth of the brave land of Rajasthan have always elevated the pride of the nation, from the military to sports. I believe that all of you will continue to advance this legacy. You know, the best thing about sports is that they not only instil the habit of winning but also continuously teach you to become better. Sports teach us that there is no ultimate limit to greatness; we must strive with all our might. Therefore, this Khel Mahakumbh is, in a way, a great ‘yagna’ for transforming your lives. Friends, Another great strength of sports is that they protect the youth from many evils. Sports strengthen willpower, increase focus, and keep our focus clear. Whether it’s the trap of drugs or addiction to other substances, players stay away from all of these. Therefore, sports play a significant role in the development of personality. My dear friends, The BJP government, whether at the state or the central level, gives top priority to the welfare of the youth. By providing more opportunities to players… by ensuring transparency in the selection of players… by making every resource available… the Indian players have received a lot of help. In the past 10 years, we have tripled the budget for sports compared to before. Hundreds of athletes are currently undergoing training and coaching both nationally and internationally under the TOPS scheme. Additionally, more than 3,000 athletes are being provided with financial assistance of Rs. 50,000 per month under the Khelo India Games. Lakhs of athletes are receiving training through close to a thousand Khelo India Centers at grassroots-level. And the results are in front of us… Our players have set a record by winning more than 100 medals in the Asian Games this time. A large number of medal-winning players in the Asian Games have also emerged from the Khelo India Games. My dear players, When a player plays for a team, he prioritizes his team’s goals over personal goals. He marches shoulder to shoulder with his team, his state, and his country’s goals. Today, the nation is also advancing with this youthful spirit in the ‘Amrit Kaal’. The budget announced on February 1 is also dedicated to the country’s youth in a way. The government, which is going to spend Rs. 11 lakh crore on railroads and modern infrastructure, its biggest beneficiary will be the youth. Who desires good roads the most? It is our youth. Who is the happiest to see new Vande Bharat trains? It is our young generation. Who will benefit from the announcement of making 40,000 Vande Bharat-like coaches in the Budget? It is our youth. The Rs. 11 lakh crore being spent on modern infrastructure will create the most new employment opportunities for the youth. A fund of Rs. 1 lakh crore has been created for the youth of Bharat, so that they can explore new avenues, whether in sports or other fields, and establish their own big companies. The government has also announced an extension of tax relief for start-ups. Friends, The development works happening all around have also changed the fate of Pali and transformed the image of Pali. Nearly 13,000 crore rupees worth of roads have been constructed in the Pali Lok Sabha constituency alone. The development of railway stations, railway bridges, doubling of railway lines, and many such development projects are benefiting all of you. The government’s focus is also on providing more and more opportunities to the students and youth of Pali, and on their skill development. Several new IT centres have been established in Pali, and two central schools have also been opened. Efforts are being made in every direction, whether it’s constructing new rooms in government schools or building new computer labs. The establishment of a medical college here, the establishment of passport centres, the installation of solar energy lights in villages – all these have made life easier for the people of Pali. Under the double-engine government, our endeavour is to empower every citizen of Rajasthan, including those of Pali, so that they become successful. These efforts of the BJP government are making life easier for the youth of Pali and this entire region. And when life becomes less challenging, one develops interest in the game, and the chances of winning also increase. Once again, I congratulate all the players. Thank you very much.