Indians can sprint, break barriers, rewrite history: PM

New Delhi, May 31: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed Indian sprinters Gurinder Veer Singh and Animesh Kujur for rewriting the national record books, saying they have proved that Indians can excel in world-class sprinting despite long-held perceptions to the contrary.
In his Mann Ki Baat address, Prime Minister highlighted the recent National Senior Athletics Federation Competition in Ranchi, where nearly 800 athletes participated and four national records were broken. Referring to the men’s 100-metre event, Modi noted that the national record was broken three times in just two days by Gurinder Veer Singh and Animesh Kujur, describing their achievement as a powerful example of determination, healthy rivalry and sporting excellence.
During the programme, Modi held a detailed interaction with both athletes, congratulating them on their achievements and describing their performance as a unique “jugalbandi” of competition. “We have seen jugalbandi in music, but now there is a jugalbandi of challenges, where one athlete breaks a record and the other surpasses it,” he remarked.
Animesh Kujur, who hails from Chhattisgarh and currently represents Odisha, recounted his journey from playing football in school to becoming a national-level athlete. He said he entered athletics in 2021 after participating in a state meet during the post-COVID period and unexpectedly qualified for national competitions. Since then, he has gone on to win medals at the Asian level and the World University Games while representing India internationally.
Gurinder Veer Singh, a Petty Officer in the Indian Navy and currently India’s fastest sprinter, told the Prime Minister that he recently clocked 10.09 seconds in the 100 metres, becoming the first Indian to run below the 10.1-second barrier. He credited his father and grandfather, both sportsmen, for inspiring him to pursue athletics from a young age.
Sharing his personal journey, Gurinder said his father’s unfulfilled sporting dreams became a source of motivation for him. He recalled how people often discouraged him from choosing the 100-metre sprint, claiming that Indians were not naturally built for the event. “We decided not to step back. Whoever said Indians could not do it, we wanted to prove them wrong,” he said.
Modi observed that both athletes had challenged a deeply rooted perception that Indians cannot excel in elite sprinting events. He asked them about the struggles, determination and sacrifices behind their success.
Responding to the Prime Minister, Gurinder said injuries, defeats and self-doubt were part of the journey, but support from family and coaches helped him remain focused. He stressed that encouragement from the community and belief in one’s dreams are crucial to overcoming setbacks.
Animesh echoed similar sentiments, saying many people had questioned whether he could succeed in athletics when he first started. However, his family stood firmly behind him and encouraged him to remain committed. He said their recent achievements have shown that Indians are capable of breaking sprinting barriers and competing with the best in the world.
The Prime Minister also asked about reports that the two athletes had motivated each other to keep breaking records. Animesh explained that the record first stood at 10.18 seconds before Gurinder improved it to 10.17 seconds in one semifinal, after which he lowered it further to 10.15 seconds in another race. He said both athletes shared a common goal of taking Indian sprinting to new heights and inspiring future generations.
Gurinder described their relationship as one built on friendship and competition. He said they support each other during training and preparations but become fierce competitors once they step onto the track. “Outside the ground we are friends, but on the track we compete to run faster than each other,” he said.
Praising their attitude, Modi said their sportsmanship represented the true spirit of athletics. He said their willingness to challenge each other while also helping each other improve was commendable and reflected the values needed to take Indian sports forward.
“The competition you are participating in is meant to enhance the nation’s prestige and take India to greater heights. Your spirit of competition, resilience and mutual support is exemplary,” the Prime Minister said.
Modi extended his best wishes to both athletes for future competitions, expressing confidence that they would continue bringing glory to the nation through their performances on the international stage. (JKNS)