Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised Indian sprinters Gurinder Veer Singh and Animesh Kujur for their record-breaking performances at the National Senior Athletics Championships in Ranchi, highlighting their achievements as an inspiration for young athletes across the country.
Speaking during the 134th episode of Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister began by congratulating athletes who set new national records during the competition held in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
“Nearly 800 athletes participated in it from all over the country. During this, four national records were broken in four different events. Gurinder Veer Singh, Vishal TK, Tejaswin Shankar, Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar set new records in different categories. First of all, I congratulate all of them,” PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister noted that the men’s 100-metre race had become a major talking point after the national record was broken three times within two days.
“One event that is being widely discussed across the country is the 100-metre race. Within just two days, the national record in the Men’s 100-metre Race was broken three times. The two athletes who achieved this feat are Gurinder Veer Singh and Animesh Kujur,” he said.
During a special interaction on the programme, the two athletes shared their journeys, struggles and ambitions with the Prime Minister.
From Football Grounds to International Sprinting
Animesh Kujur, who hails from Chhattisgarh and currently represents Odisha, recounted how he entered athletics only in 2021 after previously playing football.
A graduate of Sainik School Ambikapur, Kujur said he participated in a state athletics meet after encouragement from friends following the COVID-19 pandemic, a decision that eventually led him to national and international competitions.
“Today I am representing India internationally,” he told the Prime Minister, while also highlighting his medals at the Asian Championships and World University Games.
Gurinder Veer’s Journey from Family Inspiration to National Record
Gurinder Veer Singh, a Petty Officer in the Indian Navy, described how stories of his father’s and grandfather’s sporting achievements inspired him to pursue athletics.
“I am India’s fastest sprinter. I have just made a national record of 10.09 seconds in the 100 metres and I am the first Indian to run below the 10.1-second barrier,” he said.
Recalling his childhood dream, Gurinder shared a memorable anecdote about watching sprint legend Usain Bolt on television.
“My mother switched off the TV and told me to study. I told her, ‘One day you’ll see me on TV and watch Gurinder running.’ Today, I feel happy when she sees me running on television,” he said.
Breaking Stereotypes About Indian Sprinters
Both athletes spoke about overcoming the widespread belief that Indians are not naturally suited for elite sprinting events.
Gurinder said many people discouraged him from pursuing the 100-metre event.
“Everyone used to tell me that 100 metres is not an event for Indians. But my father always told me not to step back. We decided to prove that Indians can do it,” he said.
Kujur echoed similar sentiments, stating that doubts about Indian athletes’ sprinting potential only strengthened his resolve.
“People used to tell me that Indians cannot run sub-10 or sub-10.1 timings. But now both of us have proved that Indians can do it. Nothing is impossible for us,” he said.
Friendship Driving Competition
One of the most discussed aspects of the championship was how Gurinder and Kujur repeatedly broke each other’s records over two days.
PM Modi described it as a unique “jugalbandi” of competition and friendship.
“We have seen jugalbandi in music, but now there is a jugalbandi in challenges, where one person throws a challenge and the other takes it up,” he remarked.
Kujur explained that while they compete fiercely on the track, they share a common goal of advancing Indian sprinting.
“We had already decided that we have to take Indian sprinting forward. Whatever we do will motivate others,” he said.
Gurinder added that they regularly help each other during training and warm-ups.
“When we are outside the competition, we are friends. When we step onto the track, we become competitors. We push each other to run faster,” he said.
PM Praises Sportsmanship and Determination
Commending their spirit of healthy competition, PM Modi said the athletes had demonstrated the true essence of sportsmanship.
“The competition you’ve participated in is to enhance the nation’s prestige and take the country forward. To challenge each other, strive to get ahead, and at the same time help each other improve – this is a wonderful example of sportsmanship,” he said.
The Prime Minister congratulated both athletes on their achievements and expressed confidence that they would continue bringing laurels to the country on the international stage.
“My heartfelt congratulations to you. Continue to work hard like this and make great progress. I am confident that you will bring glory to the country,” PM Modi said.
