TNM (With ANI Inputs)
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ANI Photo | PM Modi congratulates Indian athletes for breaking national records at Ranchi competition
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Indian athletes during the 134th episode of his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio programme on January 31, 2026, for their outstanding performances at the National Senior Athletics Federation Competition in Ranchi, Jharkhand. He specifically celebrated five athletes—Gurindervir Singh, Vishal TK, Tejaswin Shankar, Dev Meena, and Kuldeep Kumar—who set new national records in four events at the domestic meet.
During the broadcast, PM Modi praised Gurindervir Singh, a 25-year-old Indian Navy officer, for becoming the fastest Indian sprinter by completing the men’s 100m final in 10.09 seconds. Singh’s time made him the first Indian to break the 10.10-second barrier, surpassing Milkha Singh’s long-standing record and securing his qualification for both the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games.
The Prime Minister also commended sprinter Animesh Kujur, who briefly held the men’s 100m national record on May 22 after Gurindervir Singh had set a new record minutes earlier during the tournament’s semi-finals. This rapid succession of record-breaking runs ensured Kujur’s qualification for the Commonwealth Games 2026.
Speaking with both athletes, PM Modi highlighted their friendship, training regimens, and healthy rivalry on the track. He described their positive competitive spirit as exemplary and expressed confidence in their potential to bring further achievements. He said, “Look, the competition you’ve participated in is to enhance the nation’s prestige, to take the country to this position in the future, and done with a positive spirit. And I believe that this sportsman spirit of your – to play, also to challenge each other, also to strive to get ahead, and to help each other to move ahead – this is a wonderful job you’ve done. My heartfelt congratulations to you, my best wishes, and you’ll bring glory to the country… I’m confident. Continue to work hard just like this and make great progress. My best wishes to you.”
Turning to other topics, PM Modi drew attention to indigenous cooling food items that help alleviate the intense heatwave in North India. He praised Bihar’s Sattu sherbet for its ability to satiate hunger and provide strength, and acknowledged various regional cold drinks as reflections of the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ spirit.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the diverse varieties of mangoes found throughout the country, emphasising their geographical distinctiveness. In particular, he mentioned Kashi’s Langra mango, which remains green upon ripening, alongside southern and eastern varieties such as Banganapalli, Totapuri, Neelam, Malgova, Bengal’s Himsagar, and the Suvarnarekha variety from Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
PM Modi acknowledged the contributions of mango farmers, stating, “Today, through ‘Mann Ki Baat’, I will praise my farmer brothers and sisters involved in mango cultivation. You are not just ordinary farmers… You are very special to the agricultural economy of the country.”
During the programme, the Prime Minister discussed the discovery of rare copper plates in Malhar, Chhattisgarh, under the Gyan Bharatam Abhiyan. Believed to be linked to Maharishi Balarjun of the Panduvanshi dynasty, these plates offer valuable information on governance, religion, and culture of that era. PM Modi affirmed continuous government efforts to preserve such invaluable heritage sites nationwide.
He also expressed fascination with the Chola-era copper plates returned to India from the Netherlands. These 21 large and 3 small plates chiefly concern King Rajendra Chola I and document his father Rajaraja Chola’s vow. Their inscriptions refer to the donation of the village of Anaimangalam to a Buddhist monastery and describe the Chola dynasty’s achievements.
Concluding the broadcast, PM Modi highlighted India’s first Ganga dolphin rescue ambulance, credited with saving a Gangetic dolphin in Uttar Pradesh. He described the 13-hour rescue operation and explained that the ambulance, developed under the Namami Gange Abhiyan, functions as a mobile hospital with oxygen supplies, specialised stretchers, and rescue equipment.
He said, “To those watching ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on TV, I would like to say – You must watch this video. This video has been in the news recently. In this, some people are patiently and carefully trying to save a Gangetic dolphin. You will be surprised to know that this entire effort took about 13 hours, and ultimately, the dolphin was saved. Friends, India’s first Ganga dolphin rescue ambulance played a huge role in this. This incident took place in Uttar Pradesh. A Gangetic dolphin was trapped in a canal there. At that time, this ambulance, built under the ‘Namami Gange Abhiyan’, reached there as a ray of hope. It was then carefully pulled out. It was examined, it was treated, and then it was safely released into the Rapti River. In a way, a life returned home… This dolphin rescue ambulance is very special. It has been designed like a mobile hospital. It has arrangements for keeping the dolphin safe. It has oxygen facilities, special stretchers, and rescue equipment. This means that if a dolphin gets injured, gets stuck in a canal, or gets cut off from the river, it can be helped immediately. Friends, when we save the Gangetic dolphin, we don’t just save a species; we save the biodiversity of the Ganga. We save the river’s entire life system and preserve a priceless natural heritage for our future generations.”
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TNM (With ANI Inputs)
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TNM (With ANI Inputs)
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TNM (With ANI Inputs)
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Home » Nation and Beyond » PM Modi congratulates Indian athletes for breaking national records at Ranchi competition
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This story is written by TNM Bureau with inputs from ANI. The News Mill is a Guwahati-based digital media with focus on content from across Northeast India and beyond. We can be reached through [email protected]
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