PM Modi Hosts India's Deaflympics Athletes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 21st May hosted India's successful Deaflympics contingent at his residence and congratulated them.
The Deaflympics 2021 was held in Brazil from 1st May to 15th May 2022. It was the first time India finished in the top 10 of the medal tally since India made their debut in 1965. This time India won 16 medals.
Earlier PM Modi had tweeted that the entire contingent had created history and brought smiles on the faces of every Indian. He also said that he would be interacting with India's contingent at the Deaflympics on 21st May at 9:30 am. The sports authority of India (SAI) then tweeted a video of the athletes on their way to meet the Prime Minister. At his residence, PM Modi met, greeted and congratulated the Indian athletes who were sporting the Team India blazer. The PM interacted with the athletes, asking them about their life’s challenges, sporting aspirations and more. He asked five time medal winning wrestler Virender Singh whether his father and uncle were satisfied with his performance. The veteran said, “No, they want me to play more, to win more, to attain newer heights.” PM Modi in his interaction said: “As a player, you guys went ahead and kept on growing. You are an inspiration to all. God gave you something short, but you people never gave up. Your performance was amazing and you are moving forward to greater heights.”
In his interaction with the PM, badminton player Rohit Bhaker, said: “I worked hard, my father supported me throughout my whole career. I only received sympathy from others but I worked my way through.”While interacting with Dhanush, PM Modi told him that yoga and meditation would help him concentrate more on the target. PM Modi also told him that he is capable of achieving much more. PM Modi said in a social media post, sharing photos from their interaction, "I will never forget the interaction with our champions who have brought pride and glory for India at the Deaflympics. The athletes shared their experiences and I could see the passion and determination in them. My best wishes to all of them. It is due to our champions that this time’s Deaflympics have been the best for India!"Sports Minister Anurag Thakur also present at the interaction.
