Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with youth virtually at IIT Bombay through Khelo India Dialogue; students reaffirm commitment to a drug-free India

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with youth virtually at IIT Bombay through Khelo India Dialogue; students reaffirm commitment to a drug-free India Khelo India Dialogue at IIT Bombay highlights importance of sports, fitness and youth participation: MoS Ramdas Athawale highlights need for a drug-free campus

Posted On: 28 AUG 2026 4:51PM by PIB Mumbai : Mumbai, 28 August 2026 On the occasion of National Sports Day, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi interacted virtually with the youth of the country on 27 August 2026 through the Khelo India Dialogue.

In Mumbai, the Khelo India Dialogue was organised by IIT Bombay at its campus in coordination with My Bharat Mumbai. A large number of students and young participants attended the live virtual interaction and actively participated in the programme. The programme was attended by Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Ramdas Athawale, International Heptathlon Athlete Ms.

Nandini Agasara, Director, IIT Bombay, Prof. Shireesh Kedare, My Bharat Maharashtra State Director Shri Amit Punde, and Deputy Director, My Bharat Mumbai, Shri Anup Ingole.During the virtual Khelo India Dialogue, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi highlighted the importance of sports in daily life and encouraged the youth to make sports and physical activity an integral part of their lifestyle. PM Modi also spoke about his vision for strengthening India’s sporting ecosystem and the country’s aspirations for the 2036 Olympic Games. He emphasised the need to develop a strong sporting culture across the country and encouraged greater participation of young people in sports. The interaction provided an opportunity for the youth to connect directly with the Prime Minister and understand the Government’s vision for making India a stronger sporting nation.

Addressing the gathering, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Ramdas Athawale also emphasised the importance of creating a Nasha-Mukta IIT Bombay and urged the youth to stay away from drugs and substance abuse. He highlighted the importance of a healthy, disciplined and productive lifestyle for the overall development of young people and called upon students to become ambassadors of a drug-free society.An engaging question-and-answer session was also held with International Heptathlon Athlete Ms. Nandini Agasara. Ms. Agasara shared her inspiring sporting journey with the students. She recalled that she started participating in various sports during her school days, initially driven by an innocent competitive spirit. Her journey received a major boost in 2018 through the Khelo India platform, which

provided her with an opportunity to pursue athletics at a higher level and represent India. She achieved several significant milestones in her sporting career. In 2022, she became an Indian Under-20 National Record Holder in the 100m hurdles and also won a Bronze Medal at the Asian Championship. At the Asian Athletics Championships 2025, she made the country proud by winning a historic Gold Medal.

Ms. Agasara credited initiatives such as Khelo India for providing young athletes with opportunities to identify, nurture and develop their sporting talent. She also acknowledged the holistic support extended by the Government of India to Indian athletes during international competitions.

The Khelo India Dialogue also provided a platform for the youth of IIT Bombay to share their ideas, suggestions and perspectives on further strengthening the sports ecosystem in India. Students shared suggestions relating to sports infrastructure, opportunities for young athletes, grassroots participation, access to sporting facilities and creating a stronger culture of sports among students and youth.

Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Ramdas Athawale and Director, IIT Bombay, Prof. Shireesh Kedare, subsequently addressed the gathering and provided guidance on promoting and developing the sports ecosystem at IIT Bombay and encouraging greater participation of students in sports and physical activities.As part of the programme, a Nasha-Mukta Pledge was administered to the students and youth. The participants pledged to stay away from drugs and substance abuse and contribute towards building a healthy, strong and drug-free India. The programme was organised by IIT Bombay in coordination with My Bharat Mumbai, under the coordination of Deputy Director, My Bharat Mumbai, Shri Anup Ingole.

The Khelo India Dialogue at IIT Bombay served as an important platform for connecting Mumbai’s youth with the Prime Minister’s vision for a stronger sporting ecosystem, greater youth participation in sports and a healthier and more vibrant India.

*** Edgar Coelho/Parshuram Kor

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