Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised Indian-origin cricketers representing foreign teams, highlighting what he described as the enduring “speciality of Bhartiyata” – the unique ability of Indians to remain connected to their roots while contributing meaningfully to the countries they live in.
Addressing the 131st episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister spoke about the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and the emotional connection many Indians feel when they see players of Indian origin competing for other nations.
“Friends, I often say, ‘The one who plays, blooms’. Sports also unites us,” he said. “These days, you must be watching the T20 World Cup matches. I am very sure that while watching the match, many times your eyes must have been fixed on a particular player. The jersey is that of some other country, but on hearing the name, you feel that the person is from our country. Then a slight joy arises in some corner of the heart.”
PM Modi noted that while these players represent their respective nations with full dedication, their Indian roots evoke a special sense of pride. “They step into the field wearing the jerseys of their respective countries and represent that country wholeheartedly,” he said. “The moment gives you a slight happiness because the player is of Indian origin and is playing for the country where his family has settled.”
Highlighting specific examples, the Prime Minister pointed out that the Canadian cricket team has the highest number of Indian-origin players. “Team captain Dilpreet Bajwa was born in Gurdaspur, Punjab. Navneet Dhaliwal is from Chandigarh. This list includes many names like Harsh Thakar and Shreyas Movva, who are raising the pride of not only Canada but India as well,” he said.
Referring to the United States team, he said, “America’s team has many players who have emerged from Indian domestic cricket. American team captain Monank Patel has also played for Gujarat’s under-16 and under-18 teams. Saurabh from Mumbai, Harmeet Singh and Milind Kumar from Delhi are all the pride of the American team.”
The Prime Minister also mentioned the Oman cricket team, noting that several of its players had earlier played in different Indian states. “Players like Jatinder Singh, Vinayak Shukla, Karan, Jai and Ashish are strong links that bind Oman cricket,” he said.
He further observed that Indian-origin players are making their mark in teams from New Zealand, the UAE and Italy as well. “There are countless such players of Indian origin who are bringing pride to their respective countries and becoming an inspiration for the youth there,” he said.
Emphasising the broader message, PM Modi said, “This is the hallmark of Indianness. Wherever Indians go, they remain connected to the roots of their motherland and contribute to the development of their karmabhoomi, the country they live and work in.”
