Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday praised India’s para athletes for overcoming adversity and inspiring families and communities through their achievements. Addressing youth virtually during the Khelo India Dialogue, Modi said the success of para athletes goes beyond winning medals, as their journeys can change perceptions about life and encourage families to dream bigger despite challenges.

Modi highlighted the experiences of several leading Indian para athletes, including Sheetal Devi, Avani Lekhara, Sumit Antil, Nitesh Kumar and Jandu Kumar. He said their performances had brought pride to the country while demonstrating how sporting success can create new confidence and opportunities for athletes and their families. He particularly recalled Sheetal Devi’s Paralympic achievement and Avani Lekhara’s success at two editions of the Paralympic Games.

The Prime Minister also underlined the broader impact of sport on individuals and society. He said the sporting spirit teaches people to face setbacks, compete with determination and continue moving forward after failures. According to Modi, these qualities are important not only for athletes but also for building healthy families and a stronger society.

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Modi further stressed that sport can contribute to improving quality of life and developing resilience among young people. He said the experiences of athletes show the importance of getting back up after setbacks and continuing to work towards one's goals. He urged young people to view sport as an avenue for personal development as well as competitive achievement.

The Prime Minister also outlined the government's efforts to strengthen India's sporting ecosystem, including the development of sports universities and modern training centres. He said the system was being expanded to support athletes at different stages, from identifying talent at the grassroots level to preparing competitors for international events. India is also working with other countries in areas such as sports science, coaching and training.

Modi said the Khelo India Samvaad was intended to give young people a platform to contribute ideas on sports, talent development and governance. He encouraged youth to participate actively and share suggestions that could help shape future sports policies. He said fresh ideas from young Indians could contribute to building a stronger sporting culture and support the country's broader development goals.

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