IIT (ISM) Dhanbad hosts Khelo India samvad, uniting youth and sporting community
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Dhanbad, August 27: Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, hosted the Khelo India Samvad programme…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Dhanbad, August 27: Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, hosted the Khelo India Samvad programme on Wednesday as part of the nationwide initiative organised by MY Bharat under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, ahead of National Sports Day.
The programme brought together students, youth, sportspersons, sports officials and other stakeholders for a dialogue on sports, fitness, youth empowerment and the role of young people in building a Viksit Bharat. Participants also joined the nationwide interaction addressed virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Dhanbad MP Dhullu Mahto attends as chief guest
Dhanbad MP Dhullu Mahto attended the programme as the chief guest and was welcomed by IIT (ISM) Dhanbad Director Prof Sukumar Mishra.
Among those present were Suryakant Kumar, Deputy Director, MY Bharat, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports; Dhanbad District Sports Officer Umesh Lohra; Poonam Kumari, DIA, NIC; international pentathlon gold medallist Anu Kumari; national karate player Raj Sanchu Rajwar; and Khelo India para-athletes Md. Azad and Kishor Gope.
Milton Parth Sarthi, MP’s Representative in Dhanbad and In-charge of the Dhanbad Parliamentary Office, was also present.
The programme was attended by Prof S.K. Das, Deputy Director, IIT (ISM); Registrar Prabodh Pandey; faculty members, officers, students, sportspersons and sports enthusiasts.
PM highlights role of sports in building Viksit Bharat
Participants watched the Prime Minister’s address to the nationwide Khelo India Samvad through video conference. Extending his greetings ahead of National Sports Day, Modi underlined the importance of strengthening India’s sports culture and creating greater opportunities for young athletes.
He said Khelo India has emerged as an important platform for identifying and nurturing sporting talent across the country. Sports, he emphasised, are not merely about winning medals but also about harnessing India’s sporting strength and youth energy in the journey towards a Viksit Bharat.
The Prime Minister called for greater participation in sports in which India has traditionally had limited representation and stressed the need for systematic talent identification and athlete development from an early age.
He also highlighted the broader lessons that sports teach, including discipline, resilience, the ability to face setbacks and the determination to rise again. Stressing the need for a strong grassroots sports culture, he said sports centres should be prioritised over screens and playgrounds over PlayStations.
Dhullu Mahto urges youth to embrace sports
Addressing the gathering at IIT (ISM), Mahto said sports and youth power would play an important role in shaping India’s future.
He said the growing focus on sports had generated greater enthusiasm and created more opportunities for young athletes across the country.
Encouraging students and young people to participate actively in sports and fitness activities, Mahto said sports help develop discipline, confidence, determination and team spirit.
Recalling his own association with football during his younger days, he urged young people to make sports an integral part of their lives and contribute positively to the country’s development.
Mandaviya highlights stronger sports ecosystem
The nationwide programme also featured an address by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya, who highlighted government efforts to expand opportunities for young people and strengthen India’s sports ecosystem.
He spoke about the importance of fitness, youth participation, transparency and equal opportunities in developing sporting talent.
At IIT (ISM), the Khelo India Samvad provided students and participants an opportunity to engage with issues concerning talent identification, athlete development, youth participation and fitness, as well as the role of young people in nation-building.
The presence of accomplished athletes and sports officials added to the programme, offering students an opportunity to interact with and draw inspiration from sporting achievers.
Khelo India Samvad held at 1,600 locations
The nationwide Khelo India Samvad was organised at around 1,600 locations across the country, bringing together a large number of young people and MY Bharat volunteers.
The initiative also encouraged young people to share their ideas and suggestions through the MY Bharat platform.
The programme at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad concluded with a renewed call for greater youth participation in sports and fitness and for young people to contribute actively to strengthening India’s sporting future and the vision of a Viksit Bharat.
