31 May,2026 12:31 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Animesh Kujur and Gurindervir Singh while talking to PM Modi during `Mann ki Baat`. (Pic/X@NarendraModi)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday talked to athletes Gurindervir Singh and Animesh Kujur, both of whom broke the national record thrice, lauding them for the "exemplary work".
Addressing the 134th episode of his monthly radio programme, 'Mann Ki Baat', PM Modi, while hailing both the Indian athletes, expresses confidence and highlights that both of them will take the country to new heights.
In various parts of the country, our fellow citizens are doing remarkable work in the interest of the nation and society, and we get inspired when we hear about them." Highlighting the recent achievement of the country in the field of athletics, the Prime Minister mentioned, "A few days back, the National Senior Athletics Federation Competition was held in Jharkhand's Ranchi. Around 800 athletes from all over the country participated in this," as cited by IANS.
PM Modi, during his programme, stated that four national records were broken in four different events by Gurindervir Singh, Vishak TK, Tejaswin Shankar, Dev Meena, and Kuldeep Kumar.
The Prime Minister also congratulated the athletes on the remarkable feat. He said, "One event, which is being discussed a lot 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 remarkable feat are Gurindervir Singh and Animesh Kujur."
While sharing his conversation with the two athletes. During the phone conversation, PM Modi congratulated both the athletes and lauded their dedication to the sport. Kujur mentioned that he was born in Jashpur, Chhattisgarh.
Reliance Foundation athlete Gurindervir Singh further mentioned that he participates in the short-sprint events in Indian athletics, a domain traditionally dominated by throwing and middle-distance events. He mentioned that he got interested in this sport during the COVID pandemic.
Singh, talking to the Prime Minister, mentioned that he is currently serving in the Indian Navy as a petty officer.
He became India's fastest sprinter during the National Senior Athletics Federation competition with a national record of 10.1 seconds in the 100 metres race. He stated that his father and grandfather were also sportsmen. Singh, while talking to the PM, said, "During festivals like Diwali and New Year, when people used to clean their homes, I used to clean my father's trophies and medals. I used to like it a lot and feel very happy."
The PM, during an interactive session with Gurindervir Singh, said, "You have achieved a remarkable feat, and just within two days, both of you broke the national record three times. As Gurindervir said that people say bodies of Indians are not made to run in 100 metres, despite this difficulty, you both achieved this," as per IANS.
PM Modi, along with having an interactive talk with Gurundervir Singh, also had an interaction over a phone call with Animesh Kujru. He also mentioned that Gurindervir Singh and Animesh Kujur are friends and, on a lighter note, the PM asked whether they had a bet about breaking each other's records.
Congratulating both the athletes, the PM added, "The competition you both have participated in is to enhance the country's honour, to take the country to greater heights and to do so with a positive spirit. I believe that your sportsman spirit to play, compete and work towards progress and to help each other is exemplary work."
(With inputs from IANS)
