New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to interact with students and young people from across India on August 27 as part of the nationwide Khelo India Dialogue – “Khel Ki Baat, Pradhan Mantri Ke Saath”, being organised ahead of National Sports Day.
The virtual programme, organised by Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, will bring students, young athletes, sportspersons and public representatives together on a common platform. Modi will address the participants through video conferencing at 11 am. Students from two colleges in every district across states and Union Territories are expected to participate.
The initiative is being organised as part of the celebrations for National Sports Day, observed every year on August 29 to mark the birth anniversary of legendary Indian hockey player Major Dhyan Chand. This year's programme is designed to put young people at the centre of discussions around sports, fitness, leadership and nation-building.
According to the Prime Minister's Office, the Khelo India Dialogue will provide young people with an opportunity to share their aspirations, ideas and suggestions about India's sporting future. The programme will also connect sports with wider issues such as civic responsibility, volunteering and youth leadership.
One of the key areas of discussion will be India's preparation for the 2036 Olympics. Young participants will be encouraged to discuss ways to strengthen the country's sports ecosystem, including better facilities, coaching, sports science and wider participation. The government also plans to focus on scientific talent identification and long-term development of athletes.
The programme will feature a separate Yuva Samvaad, where young participants can put forward their views and aspirations. Discussions will revolve around five broad themes: improving India's sports ecosystem, nurturing talent for the 2036 Olympics, developing youth leadership, preparing young people for a Viksit Bharat and encouraging a healthy, substance-free youth population.
The scale of the programme is significant. Government information said the initiative would be conducted across more than 1,500 educational institutions, while another official briefing said participation could reach around eight lakh young people across 1,600 locations.
The event will not be limited to Modi's virtual address. Following the national interaction, local programmes will bring students together with athletes, MY Bharat volunteers and public representatives. Young people will also have opportunities to interact with sports personalities and discuss grassroots talent development and the future of Indian sport.
The government has increasingly focused on connecting sports with youth development, fitness and community participation through the Khelo India programme. The latest initiative aims to give students a more direct role in that conversation by allowing them to share their experiences and suggestions.
National Sports Day itself will be observed on August 29, but the celebrations are beginning earlier this year with the nationwide dialogue on August 27. Through the programme, the government hopes to encourage more young Indians to take part in sports while also highlighting the role of youth in India's broader development journey.
With thousands of educational institutions involved, the interaction is expected to become one of the largest nationwide youth engagements centred on sports and fitness this year.
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