In the latest edition of his monthly radio address ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid out a vision for India’s rise as a global sporting powerhouse and a leader in self-reliant innovation. The 124th episode, aired on Sunday, focused on key sectors including sports, startups, textiles, and the Swadeshi movement, with an emphasis on empowering youth, rural India, and women.
Highlighting the government’s ambitious ‘Khelo Bharat Niti 2025’, PM Modi said the policy aims to nurture talent from every corner of the country—particularly villages, underprivileged communities, and daughters of India. He announced that sports will now be integrated more deeply into school and college life, moving beyond competition to becoming a part of students’ daily routine.
A key highlight of the address was the call to support startups in the sports sector, whether in management, equipment manufacturing, or technology. “Just imagine the strength of Aatmanirbhar Bharat when our youth play with self-made rackets, bats, and balls,” he remarked.
PM Modi emphasized the pivotal role of startups in reshaping India's future. On the eve of Startup India’s ninth anniversary, he noted that over 1.59 lakh startups have been recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) as of January 15, 2025. India now stands tall as the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, with over 100 unicorns contributing to global innovation.
He praised cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi-NCR as key startup hubs, while acknowledging the growing contributions from smaller towns, where young entrepreneurs are solving real-world problems through local innovation.
Switching focus to India’s rich textile tradition, PM Modi described the textile sector as more than an industry—it is a living tapestry of the country’s cultural heritage and economic resilience. “The beauty of the sector lies in the synergy between village women, city designers, elderly weavers, and youth-led startups,” he said.
With ‘National Handloom Day’ approaching on August 7, which marks its 10th year of celebration, the Prime Minister urged citizens to support handloom and local artisans. He linked the movement to the spirit of Swadeshi, which historically inspired Indians to embrace indigenous products.
