New Delhi, June 24 : The Indian cricket team's gesture of posing with the Afghanistan team after winning a test match in Bengaluru earlier this month reflects the spirit of sportsmanship, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday.

Speaking in the 45th episode of his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', Modi said sports is an excellent route to unite societies and to showcase the talents and skills of our youth.

"I sincerely hope, that in future too, we'll play with each other with the best sportsman spirit and shine together," he said.

Modi said it was Afghanistan's first international test match and that it is a matter of honour that it was played with India.

"I will cherish the match for a special reason. The Indian team, while receiving the trophy, invited the Afghanistan team to pose together for photographs. This incident exemplifies the very spirit of sportsmanship," Modi said.

The Prime Minister also praised Afghanistan bowler Rashid Khan for his performance.

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Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.

AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.

“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.

He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.

“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.

According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.

In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.

AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.