PM Modi combines humor with honesty in interaction session with India’s Olympic athletes Tokyo Olympics News – Times of India

New Delhi: Combining jokes with honesty, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Engaged in light-hearted conversations with India’s Olympic-bound athletes on Tuesday, playing an interviewee to gain insight into their journey.
When the situation demanded, Modi cited the example of a cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar Boxers at the 1999 World Cup Ashish Kumar, whose father died before the Olympic qualifiers last year, a few months back after he battled COVID-19.

And when he realized he could do with a little humour, the PM promised to have ice cream with the champion shuttler PV Sindhu.
Modi tried to make the athletes feel comfortable before leaving for the Tokyo Games, where expectations will be high.

During the interaction session, the PM jokingly asked Sindhu about her dietary restrictions and recalled how chief badminton coach Pullela Gopichand snatched her phone and prevented her from eating ice cream during the 2016 Rio Olympics.
“During the 2016 Olympics you were banned from eating ice cream, is there another ban for Tokyo?” She smiled and asked Sindhu, who would aim to improve the silver she won five years ago.
“Sir, I have to be careful about my diet,” she replied.

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turn to ace wrestler Vinesh Phogat, a bright medal prospect in Tokyo, Modi jokingly asked the grappler’s father, “Kaunsi chakki ka atta kilate hain aap log apni beti ko (which flour do you people have)?”
Modi also appreciated the contribution of the Phogat family to Indian wrestling.

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Talking to boxer Ashish, he recalled his struggles since losing his father, who was a Kabaddi player, before the Games.
“Your father was a kabaddi player. How did you come to take up boxing?” Modi asked.

Ashish said, “My father wanted me to become a boxer. I come from a family of players. My brother was a wrestler but I was skinny. So, I decided that I could not become a wrestler and chose boxing. ,” said Ashish. .
“You were suffering from COVID. You also lost your father. How did you cope and keep working hard?” PM asked.

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Ashish replied, “I was emotionally hurt after my father’s death. My family supported me through tough times. My friends inspired me to work towards fulfilling my father’s dreams. needed.”
“When I was in Spain, I tested positive for COVID. But I was given special facilities. Despite those facilities, it took me a long time to recover. After returning to India, our sports staff helped me a lot. I Back in rhythm. With his help.”
Modi reminded Ashish that Tendulkar had “lost even his father during a tournament”.

The PM said, “He paid tribute to his father through his sport. You have done the same. You are already a champion and the country expects a lot from you in the Olympics.”
with ace rifle shooter elavenil valarivanModi reminded her that she hails from the same assembly constituency in Gujarat – Maninagar, from where she contested the assembly elections.

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Modi congratulated the Ahmedabad-based shooter in Gujarati and encouraged him to give his best in sports.
Modi to javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra said, “I am told you got injured, but still you set a new record. You don’t need to fall into the trap of expectations, don’t carry the burden of expectations, just focus on your target.”
The Olympics, which will not allow on-site spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic, are due to be held in the Japanese capital from July 23 to August 8.
Newly appointed Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur and his deputy Nisith Pramanik, Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, who was succeeded by Thakur, were also present during the interaction session.

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