PM Modi hails Assam for hosting Khelo India, says 'can do' is the new age Mantra

"The spirit of ‘can do’ is emerging as a new resolve. The sentiment of contributing positively to the country and society is gaining strength, day by day," Mr Modi said in his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', the first of the calendar year 2020.

Prime Minister also made optimum use of the occasion to congratulate the Government and the people of Assam for being the 'excellent hosts' of 'Khelo India'.
"The ethos of public participation, besides in the area of sanitation, is rising rapidly on another front… and that is water conservation. Quite a few extensive and innovative efforts are under way, in every corner of the country, for the sake of conserving water," he said and mentioned about the nationwide Jal-Shakti Campaign launched last monsoon.

"....with the aid of public participation, a large number of lakes and ponds have been built. And the best part is that in this campaign, people from all strata of society contributed wholeheartedly. Take for instance Jalore district in Rajasthan. There, two historical step wells had turned into storehouses of garbage and dirty water," the Prime Minister said.

"But one fine day, hundreds of people from Bhadraayun and Thanawala Panchayats took a resolve to rejuvenate them, under the Jal Shakti Campaign. Much before the rains, people immersed themselves in the task of cleaning out the accumulated filthy water, garbage and morass. For this campaign, some donated money; others their labour & sweat. As a result, these step wells have turned into their lifelines now. A similar story comes across from Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh."

Similarly, Mr Modi said 'Village Suniyakot' along the Almora-Haldwani highway in Uttarakhand has also emerged as a similar example of public participation.

"To tide over an acute water crisis, villagers took it upon themselves to ensure that water reached their village. There was no stopping to their resolve". 

The Prime Minister also spoke highly about a 'very innovative idea' of harnessing a borewell for rainwater harvesting sprung up from Tamil Nadu.

"The country is replete with innumerable such stories, of water conservation, lending more strength to the resolves of New India".

Mr Modi referred to Khelo India hosted successfully in Assam recently and that came on the backdrop of violent protest over newly enacted CAA.

"Friends, on 22nd January, the third 'Khelo India Games' concluded in Guwahati. These games had around 6,000 players from different states participating. You will be surprised to know that 80 records were broken during this grand sports festival. And I am proud that of these 80 records, 56 were broken by our daughters.

These laurels have been recorded in the name of our daughters," he said.

Mr Modi also said: "It is very pleasant for all of us to learn that the participation of athletes in 'Khelo India Games' is on the upsurge year after year. And this also tells you about the increasing inclination towards sports in our school children. I wish to tell all of you that in 2018, when 'Khelo India Games' were instituted, 3500 players took part, but in just three years the number of players has increased to more than 6,000 which translates to the fact that it has almost doubled".

"The stories of the patience and determination of these children who participated in 'Khelo India Games' as well as their parents will inspire every Indian. Now take the example of Purnima Mandal of Guwahati, a sanitation worker in Guwahati Municipal Corporation. But whereas her daughter Malvika showed her mettle in football, one of her sons Sujit represented Assam in Kho-Kho, while the other son Pradeep did the same in hockey".

''The sentiment of contributing positively to the country and society is gaining strength, day by day. When every Indian takes a step forward, it results in India going ahead by a 130 crore steps," he said.

Mr Modi also urged the people to try and keep fit. ''Do some exercises or play a little! Sports and games is the key to keeping fit,'' he said.